Regrouping six departments, the Centre-Val de Loire region invites you to discover its numerous landscapes for a stay placed under the sign of nature tourism. Between Sologne, Berry, Touraine and Loire Valley, your escapades will be fascinating, greedy and surprising.
A true garden of France, the Centre-Val de Loire is also distinguished by the charm of its great cities. Discover, for example, Tours and appreciate its castle, its Fine Arts museum, its Saint-Gatien cathedral... Also take the time to walk in the old city to admire the half-timbered houses and the beautiful old houses (Gouin's mansions, dukes of Touraine's mansions...). In Orléans, fall under the charm of the Sainte-Croix cathedral, the Campo Santo, the Groslot hotel and the house of Louis XI. But also visit Chartres (superb gothic cathedral, house of the Salmon, enclosure of Loëns...), Bourges (Saint-Etienne cathedral, Jacques-Coeur palace, Maurice Estève museum...) and Châteauroux (Raoul castle, Park castle, Cordeliers convent...).
Then discover one of the jewels of the region: the Loire Valley and its famous castles. Following the course of the river, you will be able to marvel at the majesty of the Chambord castle, the historical appeal of the royal castle of Amboise and the splendor of the gardens of the Villandry castle. But also appreciate the refinement of the castle of Azay-le-Rideau, masterpiece of the French Renaissance, the imposing stature of the royal fortress of Chinon, where Joan of Arc met the dauphin, and the impressive keep of the royal city of Loches. Between two castle visits, treat yourself to an unforgettable escapade at Fontevraud Abbey, which was once one of the largest monastic cities in Europe and now hosts numerous cultural events.
The best way to discover all the richness of the Centre-Val de Loire region is to use the numerous footpaths and bicycle paths that crisscross it. Ride along the Loire River on the EuroVélo 6, discover the ponds, the hedged farmland and the limestone lawns of the Brenne regional park, observe the 140 species of birds that make their home in the wetlands of the Sologne. Then go to the Berry region to play golf, kayak or horseback ride. Finally, add a few gourmet breaks to your outings to taste all the local specialties: pâté berrichon, rillettes and rillons, pike, pike-perch, Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine and Valençay cheeses, crottin de Chavignol, pithiviers and the famous Touraine wines.
