Central Loire Valley Holiday Guide
French Holiday Property Home > Holiday Guides > Region Guides > Central Loire ValleyQuintessential France
The Central Loire Valley or Centre Val de Loire is far more inspirational than its rather prosaic name may suggest. It is the perfect place to enjoy a quintessential France: a France of stunning castles, beautiful countryside, a rich culture, a classical gastronomy and endless opportunities for outdoor activities for all the family. The region is also easily reached from the UK.Top 5 things to see and do in the Central Loire Valley
1. Explore castles
The region is famous for its beautiful castles. Many of these fairytale chateaux are in excellent repair and offer guided tours of both the grounds and the interiors. Touring the Loire Valley castles is a holiday with a difference, being both educational and supremely enjoyable. Learn about their history, marvel at their elegance and perhaps hone your skills as an artist or photographer to capture their beauty for all time.2. Take a trip on a "toue"
There can be few more delightful ways to spend a sunny afternoon than gliding along the waters of the River Loire in a traditional flat bottomed boat (they are known as "toues"), learning about the history and nature of the region as you go.3. Tour the most beautiful villages in France
The Central Loire Valley has no less than seven villages or towns which have been designated as among France's "most beautiful". Take your camera, or your paints and canvas.4. Absorb the history and culture
The region has played a vital part in French history and has numerous richly historic towns and cities where you can see the architecture, visit the museums and generally savour the feeling of history coming to life. The Central Loire Valley has an embarrassment of richly historic towns and cities where you can enjoy discovering the culture and patrimony of this important region. Much of the region is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.5. Visit the gardens and parks
The region is also known as "the garden of France", and you can happily spend an entire holiday visiting the stunning parks and gardens of the region. Soak up the sheer romance of scented rose gardens in the chateaux' grounds, find inner peace in the monastic gardens of an ancient abbey, or take the kids to discover quirky statues on magical woodland walks.Top 5 towns and cities in the Central Loire Valley
1. Orléans
The capital city of the region, and central to the Joan of Arc stories, Orléans is simply a "must see city". Its riverside setting and vital role in history give this smallish but important city a very special air, and it is an ideal destination for a weekend break.2. Chartres
Chartres has one of the world's most beautiful cathedrals as well as many other important monuments. Its mediaeval atmosphere, half-timbered houses and narrow old streets ooze charm.3. Tours
Tours combines all that is best about times past and times present. Its historic centre offers a wealth of heritage with a castle, cathedral, traditional houses and museums, while the more modern parts of the city have a vibrant lifestyle with activities that are sure to engage everybody, regardless of age or interests. Tours is a wonderful centre of the arts, and hosts many festivals during the year.4. Blois
Blois has a regal past, as its chateau was once home to the kings Louis XII and Francis I, both of whom put their signatures to the castle making it the magnificent building you can see today. The town also has an unusual attraction in the form of the Magic Museum, which guarantees that even those who don't really like museums will be fascinated by this one!5. Bourges
Bourges is a city of art and history, of parks and gardens, of culture and entertainment. There's more than enough to see and do here to keep you busy for a long weekend and probably longer.Food and drink in the Central Loire Valley
The region is the homeland of many famous wines, and among them will be something to please every palate. Names like Sancerre, Chinon, Vouvray and Bourgeuil grace every wine list, and there are vineyards to visit and wine caves where you can arrange tastings. The Central Loire Valley is an abundantly agricultural area whose fertile soil and lush green pasturelands give rise to some superb fresh produce that forms the basis of the region's delicious cuisine. Among the tastiest of the treats on offer are goats' cheeses, Chinon peaches, candied prunes and Rillettes de Tours.How to get to the Central Loire Valley
The region is very easy to reach from the UK, making it a great destination for even a short weekend break. You can fly to Tours direct from Stansted Airport with economy airline Ryanair, or fly to Paris and Poitiers, depending on where in the region you want to visit. The region is also well served by rail networks with a TGV link which takes you from Paris to Tours in just under an hour. There are also several auto routes which take you into the region.Holiday Guides to the Departments of Central Loire Valley
Cher Holiday Guide
The department of Cher, in the Central Loire Valley or Centre Val de Loire region of France, offers opportunities for many different types of holidays, ensuring that whoever you are you will find something to please you here. The department has elegant towns and architecture, history and heritage, beautiful landscapes and a fine gastronomy.
Eure-et-Loir Holiday Guide
The department of Eure-et-Loir, which forms a part of the Central Loire Valley or Centre Val de Loire region, is everything you might dream of as a destination for a holiday in the heart of France. The great cathedral town of Chartres heads the list for heritage, though there is much more throughout the department, with chateaux, nature parks and children's attractions to discover.
Indre Holiday Guide
The department of Indre, in the Centre Val de Loire region of France, is a land of lakes, chateaux, nature and heritage. From the capital city of Châteauroux to the Brenne marshlands, Indre has something to appeal to everyone.
Indre-et-Loire Holiday Guide
The department of Indre-et-Loire, in the Centre Val de Loire region of France, is the place to be if you love the classic landscapes of France. Rolling countryside giving way to heritage towns and showcasing perhaps the most superb collection of chateaux in the country, the department is a dream destination for Francophiles everywhere.
Loir-et-Cher Holiday Guide
The department of Loir-et-Cher, in the Central Loire Valley or Centre Val de Loire region of central France is historically, culturally and naturally rich in heritage, tradition and beauty. Set in the heart of French chateaux country, the department offers fabulous castles to visit, but its pretty, gentle countryside also makes a perfect place for outdoor activities such as walking, cycling and horse-riding.
Loiret Holiday Guide
The department of Loiret, in the Central Loire Valley or Centre Val de Loir region, is set in the heart of French chateaux country. It's also a great wine producing and agricultural land, crossed by the River Loire and offering green, pastoral landscapes dotted with wonderful heritage towns and monuments.
