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Loire Valley, France tourist information

The Centre region is found in northern-central France. It is a department name little known (and little loved), but containing one of the most popular regions of France for visitors - the Loire Valley. It is here that many of the most famous chateaux of France are to be found. The capital of the region is Orléans.

The departments in the Centre region are: Loiret, Loir et Cher, Indre et Loir, Indre, Eure et Loir, Cher

Places to visit in Loire Valley / Centre, France

Chateaux

The big attraction of the Loire Valley is the chateaux. Heading from west to east, those in the region include

- south-west of Orléans, the Château de Blois, the Château de Chambord, and Château de Cheverny, with Château de Valençay a little to the south of this group

- continuing from Blois towards Tours are Château de Chenonceau and Château d'Amboise

- to the west of Tours are Château de Villandry (and the renowned gardens also at Villandry), the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, and

- close to the western border of the centre region, are Château Chinon and Château du Rivau

Three other well known chateaux slightly further west - those at Angers, Brissac, and Saumur, are covered in the Pays de la Loire guide

You can also see the 'Loire Valley Chateau positions on a map.

Chateau de Blois (photo copyright)

 

Other places to visit in the Loire Valley / Centre region

The countryside of the Loire Valley provides the perfect setting for the chateaux, but even without these famous landmarks the region would be attractive to visitors. The Loire River and its tributaries- the rivers Cher, Indre and Vienne - pass quietly through the landscape of fields and woodlands, fruit orchards and vineyards

 Other particular highlights include:

Chartres Cathedral - one of the finest gothic architecture buildings in France (to the north of the region, and closer to Paris than to many of the renowned chateaux)

Bourges Cathedral - now a UNESCO world heritage site (to the south-east of the region) found, not surprisingly, at Bourges.

the Abbey at St-Benoit-sur-Loire

Larger towns to visit in the Loire region include Tours, Orleans, Blois and Loches

LOIRE VALLEY FOOD: The regions of the Loire Valley and Central France pack a culinary punch – from wild game to fresh fruit they offer an unforgettable experience for the lover of fine food.  Sample some of the best goats cheese to be found in France, or try the famous cherries, as is, or in Guignolet liqueur. 

 

Most beautiful Villages in the Loire region

There are several classified 'Most Beautiful villages of France to discover in the Loire Valley region, including:

Lavardin (Loir-et-Cher) Lavardin
CANDES-SAINT-MARTIN - 10 km SE of Saumur Candes-Saint-Martin
APREMONT-SUR-ALLIER - 15 km SW of Nevers Apremont-sur-Allier
MONTRESOR - 20 km E of Loches Montresor
SAINT-BENOIT-DU-SAULT - 20 km SW of Argenton-sur-Creuse St-Benoit-du-Sault

Also Gargilesse-Dampierre (10 km SE of Argenton-sur-Creuse) and Crissay-sur-Manse (30 km SW of Tours)

See also an overview of the Loire Valley as a heritage site

 

Visit Loire Valley - travel information

Map of Loire Valley, France