In the heart of the new Centre-Val de Loire region, Indre-et-Loire offers an ideal green setting for cultural and relaxing holidays. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural landscapes, the department is full of gardens, castles, historical monuments and good places to taste the local gastronomy.
Often called the Garden of France, famous for its large green spaces, Indre-et-Loire also seduces by the beauty of its cities. The most important, Tours, will enchant you with its rich heritage. Walking along the many pedestrian streets of the city, you will appreciate the half-timbered houses of the Vieux Tours, the royal castle and its famous Guise tower, the superb Saint-Gatien cathedral or the extraordinary Fine Arts museum. But many other cities deserve to be discovered during your stay in Touraine : Loches for its royal city, its collegiate Saint-Ours and its medieval garden, Chinon for its impressive royal fortress, its collegiate Saint-Mexme and its museums...
Continue your discovery of Indre-et-Loire with the real jewels that are the castles of the Loire. Go to Amboise to visit the fortress which was the residence of Charles VIII, Louis XII, François Ier and whose chapel hosts the last residence of Leonardo da Vinci. Then enjoy the castle of Azay-le-Rideau, pure masterpiece of the Renaissance, or that of Chenonceau whose elegant arches span the Cher. Also go admire the Clos-Lucé, the fortress of Langeais, dating from the 15th century, the castle of Villandry and its superb gardens or that of Ussé which would have inspired Charles Perrault for his tale of Sleeping Beauty.
After its cultural escapades, offer yourself some moments of relaxation in the heart of nature. On foot, explore the hundreds of kilometres of marked trails that criss-cross the Indre-et-Loire. Take for example the paths of Saint-Martin or the circuit of the Lys in the valley. If you prefer two-wheelers, discover the Loire route by bike or the green route linking Richelieu to Chinon. But also let yourself be tempted by other activities : canoeing, boat rides, fishing, golf, first flight in a hot-air balloon, ULM... After a full day, enjoy a good table and taste the local specialties : rillettes, rillons, Sainte-Maure de Touraine cheeses, tapped pears, Chinon wines, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil...
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