A nod to Leonardo Da Vinci. And plenty of attention on some modern day travel heroes.

Atout France, the French tourism office in Canada, held a three-way event in Toronto on Tuesday night, holding an event that displayed some of the great travel options in France, going over their plans for a celebration of Da Vinci’s legacy and honouring Canadian agents for their contributions to French tourism.

Travel agents and the travel press were filled in on the various goings on at an event Tuesday night in downtown Toronto, which also featured open meetings with representatives of various French regions and French islands in the Caribbean.

More than 200 tourism professionals gathered for the trade show and award ceremony at the Westin Harbour Castle. This year’s theme, France Stories highlighted the 500 years of Renaissance in the Loire Valley among many other attractions and international events available to travellers.

The France Product of the Year Award, which recognizes the work of tour operators who innovate by offering original tours in France, went to Paris and the Chateaux of the Loire Valley by Kensington Tours. Jolene Plant, Product Director, received the prize from Marc Richet, General Manager of Centre-Val de Loire Tourism.

Atout France recognized Connaissance Travel and Tours as Partner of the Year. Connaissance President Vincent Veerasuntharam was handed the award during the ceremony.

For the first time, a prize was raffled among the travel agents who voted online for the Product of the year Award. Carla Wilson was the happy winner of a voucher for a fantastic suite at the W Paris Opera, breakfast included, for 2 persons, valued at $800 CAD. This prize is graciously offered by 4 roues sous un parapluie, which runs marvellous tours in France.

Da Vinci died in the Loire Valley of France on May 2, 1519, and France will be marking his truly amazing life with a series of major events.

Events in the Loire Valley this year include the display of a tapestry of Da Vinci’s Last Supper that was made shortly after his death and has resided in the Vatican Museum and a new museum that focusses on his paintings and architectural work. There also will be festivals, Renaissance dances with period costumes, scholarly talks and other commemorations of this truly remarkable man.

The Loire Valley, only a short train ride or drive from Paris, is home to 22 major Chateaux and other historic sites. The area also has more than 400 wine cellars open to visitors, 900 km of posted, secure cycling routes and more pretty villages than even Monet could ever paint.

“The Loire Valley is the place to be this year,” said Melanie Paul-Hus, Director for Canada at Atout France in Canada.

The valley is home to a number of terrific destinations, including Chartres, Tours, Orleans and Chambord. In addition to its beauty, the area is famous for its gastronomy.

Travel and tourism representatives from France and the French Caribbean also chatted with agents and media during a pre-dinner event at the Westin.