Guide of Centre-Loire Valley 2024 - Tourism, Holidays & Weekends

Tourism, holidays & weekends in Centre-Loire Valley

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A territory steeped in history and heritage, once enjoyed by the Kings of France, today Centre-Loire Valley is highly prized by visitors who go there for its famous Renaissance castles, charming villages and gastronomic specialities. It's also a very green destination where nature and the forest have pride of place, making it ideal for walking holidays. Examples include the mysterious Sologne with its countless ponds, Berry with its pastoral landscapes, the immense Orleans forest and the banks of the famous wild River Loire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The many splendid French and English-style gardens in the region are sure to delight lovers of extensive plant collections!

Famed all over the world, the Loire Valley castles have made their mark on the history of France. Chambord and its prestigious estate, Chenonceau and its magnificent arches over the Cher, Azay-le-Rideau and its romantic park, Amboise and its unforgettable views over the Loire, and Villandry with its remarkable gardens are all among the magical sites for visitors to enjoy on a weekend or longer trip… In Berry, heritage enthusiasts can enjoy the wonderful castles of Ainay-le-Vieil, Argy, Bouges, Meillant and Valençay, as well as charming villages like Apremont-sur-Allier, Gargilesse-Dampierre and Saint-Benoît-du-Sault. When it comes to outings in the Berry countryside, you'll be spoilt for choice, with the Brenne Regional Nature Park and its thousands of ponds, Châteauroux forest, the Berry canal towpath and the vineyards of Sancerrois. Everything you need for a very pleasant country holiday!

Not to be outdone, the towns of Centre-Loire Valley are brimming with architectural treasures from the medieval era and the Renaissance. Lovers of culture and old buildings will be delighted by Blois and its royal castle, Bourges and its Jacques Cœur Palace, Tours and its museums, Chartres and its Gothic cathedral, Orleans and its Place du Martroi, to name but a few.

You can also take advantage of the region's mild climate by treating yourself to a walk around the famous Loire Valley vineyard. It's a great opportunity to stop by one of the many wine cellars and enjoy a little glass of wine from Anjou or Touraine!

Territories of Centre-Loire Valley

Berry

Lovers of landscapes and heritage will be thrilled to discover the delights of Berry. An eclectic programme of activities awaits them: a stroll around the ponds of La Brenne Nature Park, visits to the castles of Meillant, Valençay or Bouges, a wander round the picturesque streets of Argenton-sur-Creuse and Apremont-sur-Allier, admiring the heritage of Bourges and the architecture of Noirlac Abbey, and learning all about George Sand in the house where she was born in Nohant.

The prestigious, world-renowned castles are the Loire Valley's undisputed flagship attraction. From Chambord to Chenonceau, from Blois to Amboise, from Villandry to Azay-le-Rideau, its architectural gems vie to be the most graceful and dazzling. This historical, cultural and wine-growing heritage is matched by the prestige of cities like Tours or Orleans, and the generosity of its natural areas, such as the idyllic Sologne countryside.

The beautiful City of Art and History of Orleans, the remarkable Romanesque basilica of Fleury Abbey, the magnificent La Source Floral Park, the superb medieval castle of Sully-sur-Loire and the mysterious Sologne with its many ponds are just some of the attractions that have made Orléanais famous.

A green and peaceful land sought after by horse-riders, Perche also delights lovers of nature and old buildings with its relaxing pastoral landscapes, ancient manors, fortified farms and typical villages.

An unmissable destination in the Loire Valley, Touraine boasts a very rich heritage. Lovers of history and architecture cannot fail to be enchanted by its exceptional castles, charming villages, exceptional gardens and the beautiful city of Tours, the historic capital of this wonderful land.

Guide of Centre-Loire Valley

Cher

In the heart of Berry, the charming gardens perfect for a stroll, such as those of the Notre-Dame d'Orsan priory and the Ainay-le-Vieil castle, the renowned vineyards and the City of Art and History of Bourges are among the attractions of the Cher.

Specialized in cereal crops, the Eure-et-Loir département offers visitors landscapes of forests and hedged farmland of the Perche Regional Nature Park, and the city of Chartres famous for its Gothic cathedral.

Indre-et-Loire

The Indre-et-Loire is renowned for its prestigious castles, among which the majestic Royal Château d'Amboise and the romantic Château de Chenonceau, but also for its fine wines from the Touraine vineyards.

Orléans forest is the biggest national forest in France and is located in the Loiret, which also boasts the Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire abbey, a wonderful example of Romanesque art, as well as the numerous other architectural gems.

Combining nature and fantastic architecture, the Loir-et-Cher offers visitors the famous Château de Chambord, a masterpiece of the Renaissance period, the town of Blois with its rich heritage, and the Sologne with its landscapes of forests and ponds.