Indre Holiday Guide
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The Indre offers something for everyone
Holidaying in Indre offers up plenty of choices. You can spend your days visiting stunning heritage towns, taking guided tours of spectacular chateaux, discovering unusual flora and fauna in unspoilt countryside or even exploring archaeological sites. Those travelling with children will find more than enough ways to keep the young ones entertained, while couples looking for a romantic, tranquil retreat will also have no difficulty locating the ideal spot.
Top 5 things to see and do in the Indre
1. Visit Château Nohant
A visit to the Château Nohant, childhood home of the acclaimed writer George Sand, makes a great day out. Take a tour of the interior, seeing rooms and furnishings just as they used to be, or enjoy a stroll around the glorious gardens.
2. Eguzon Lake
If you enjoy water sports and lovely views or if you have kids in tow on your holiday in the Indre, try to schedule in a day at the 312 hectare Éguzon Lake. Swim, sunbathe, paddle a canoe or try your hand at sailing, among other activities.
3. Argentomagus archaeological site
The archaeological site of Argentomagus is fascinating, even if you aren't really knowledgeable in the field. Gallo Roman remains can be seen in addition to a superb museum, where you will have the opportunity to watch films, see reconstructions and enjoy exhibitions.
4. Tour chateaux
The Indre has a great collection of chateaux to visit, so take your pick from the Renaissance marvel that is Château Argy, the Château d'Azay le Ferron with its lovely gardens, Château de Valencay (royal connections), the mediaeval Château de Sarzy or any one of the other, equally superb castles of the Indre! Guided tours are usually available, with times and costs available from local tourist offices.
5. Brenne National Park
Spend a day being at one with nature in the watery wildlands of the Brenne National Park. Lakes and marshlands here attract a high number of birds and waders, while the unspoilt environment is also home to a fascinating flora and other fauna.
Top 5 towns and cities in the Indre
1. Châteauroux
Châteauroux is Indre's capital city, and makes a great showpiece for the department. Walking the mediaeval streets is a pleasure in itself, while along the way you can find treasures such as the remains of the original town fortifications, a chateau, a Neo-Romanesque church, an old convent and other period buildings and features. Châteauroux also offers hotels, restaurants and shopping.
2. Argenton sur Creuse
This lovely riverside town is sometimes called the Venice of Berry, and it does indeed have a delightfully romantic feel. Picturesque houses line the riverside, while the town itself has several points of interest.
3. Saint Benoit du Sault
Saint Benoit du Sault is one of those fortunate towns listed as among the most beautiful in France, and as such, is more than worthy of a visit. Many original features have been preserved, and there is enough to enjoy here to keep visitors entertained for several hours.
4. Issoudun
Issoudun is a fascinating mediaeval market town that is packed with history and heritage. Richard the Lionheart's White Tower dominates the long list of things to see, and is the setting for a spectacular show which takes place there throughout the evenings of the summer season.
5. Valencay
Valencay is one of the Indre's finest attractions, with its stunning castle, many historic buildings and important place in history. It is also known for its unique goats' cheese, made from unpasteurised milk and fabricated in the shape of a small pyramid.
Food and drink in the Indre
Indre offers up many gastronomic delights for the traveller. Among the most acclaimed are the Valencay goats' cheese and Valencay appellation wines, the Berry green lentils, Pork and Egg Pie, Sucrine de Berry squash, and delicious fresh water fish.
How to get to the Indre
To reach the Indre department there are a number of choices available to you. Tours, the main city of the neighbouring Indre-et-Loire department has both an international airport and a TGV station, or you could choose instead to arrive in Poitiers in the Vienne, or Limoges in Haute-Vienne where the same facilities can be found. Those airlines flying into one or other of these airports include Ryanair and Flybe. Driving from Calais takes around five hours.
