There is a very good reason why Mick Jagger's preferred second residence is in the Loire Valley where he purchased a 16th century chateau called "La Fourchette" near Amboise for 2 million francs (200,000 pounds ignoring inflation) twenty-six years ago.

It is impossible even for the most jaded globetrotter not to be impressed by the flamboyant architectural one-upmanship that has made this area the playground of French royalty since the 16th century and a haven for tourists in-the-know in more recent times.

It is the way the french live. It is magnificent food and wine, sophisticated cities, luxuriant landscapes and it all adds up to a bourgeois paradise. The lush Loire valley is supremely regal and romantic. It captures the quintessence of french country life with vineyards rolling through copses of trees beside regal chateaux.

The Loire Valley is famous for its gastronomy, its chateaux, its wine and is one of the most beautiful areas in France. The Loire Valley is perhaps best known for its crisp white wines including Vouvray, Sancerre, and Pouilly-Fume, often served at many restaurants and bistros in the area. You can also enjoy a variety of local game from the deep forests of nearby Sologne, and salmon or trout from the region's rivers.

Everyone knows French cuisine is one of the best in the world if not the best. France is famous for specialties like snails, frogs? legs, bouillabaisse, pot au feu, and boeuf bourguignon, sea food, fish and good meat, thousands different wine producers, more than 365 cheeses and foie gras.

Amongst wine cellars, food specialities, son et lumiere (laser fireworks shows) are a selection of reputed golf courses: "Les Bordes" Europe's number 1 course and a must play, "Limere", "Chateau Sept Tours", "Cheverny", "Sully-sur-Loire", "Orleans Donnery", "Ganay", "Touraine", "Les Aisses", "Ardree".

France has become hugely popular with the travelling golfer. The combination of easy, cost effective travel, great golf courses and the lure of France itself, make France a great golf destination

The Loire is a wonderful area for a quality golfing holiday - just 3 hours drive from Calais and other northern ports . Famous the world over, the Loire Valley with its magnificent royal chateaux is the third most visited region in France, just after Paris and the Cote d'Azur.

Creator of the Bic pen Empire Industrialist Baron Marcel Bich and businessman Yoshiaki Sokurai sat down, as friends and undertook to build a new golf getaway in the Loire Valley. Their joint vision was richness of experience in all of its interpretation to attract travellers from all over the world.

To help draw the international client to Bich's previous hunting domain, they entrusted Texan Robert von Hagge with the design, a name reputed with expertise in American golf. With the design of more than 200 varied golf courses around the world under his belt, von Hagge is widely acclaimed as one of the most versatile championship architects.

Where Bich once hunted for sport, the course winds its way through ancient, elegant forest, and this same atmosphere pervades the entire complex.

The peacefulness and scenery here in the Val de Loire make a golfing vacation a truly relaxing experience. You can add to the delight of your holiday exploring the legendary Loire Valley by renting one or more of the romantic chateaux available.