Centre - Val de Loire Visit
The region Centre southwest of Paris takes you into the history of France. You will discover a beautiful area beginning with Fontainebleau, Chartres to Bourges via Orleans and Tours, crossed by the Loire and with many places of interest including the famous Loire castles.
Eure et Loire |
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The west of Paris, cultivates a prestigious cultural heritage! Chartres Cathedral, model of the great Gothic cathedrals, the castle of Châteaudun considered one of the first Loire castles, the donjon of Nogent-le-Rotrou former stronghold of Normandy on the royal valley of the Eure, the castle Anet, jewel of the French Renaissance, the castle of Maintenon home to the lovers of Madame de Maintenon and Louis XIV and the sumptuous Royal chapel of Dreux. The city of Dreux is at northwest. It is remarkable for a recent story in the eighteenth century, King Louis Philippe made here the royal tomb of the ruling family of Orleans which can be seen in the Chapel of St. Louis. |
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| Chartres, known as the city of lights and fragrances, put all your senses: effervescence around the market stalls, charm of a small humpbacked bridge spanning the river, an elegant façade, the light of church stained glass windows, wealth museums with thousand treasures, magic of the event Chartres en Lumières, passion for crafts, scents of the Cosmetic Valley, freshness of a terrace near a watermill ... and especially its cathedral Notre Dame, masterpiece 12th and 13th centuries with its 4,000 carved figures and 5000 figures in 2600 m² of stained glass windows. World Heritage of UNESCO. |  |
The Loiret |
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| The history of France and that of the Valley of the Kings left their strong mark in Loiret. From the Middle Ages defensive fortresses at Sully-sur-Loire, ranked Grand Site of the Loire Valley, from Saint-Brisson-sur-Loire and Yevre-le-Chatel, to the romantic mansions buildings of 17th and 18th century as Chateaux la Ferte-Saint-Aubin and Bussiere, through the Renaissance Castle, with Chamerolles Castle and his perfumes Museum, Meung-sur-Loire and Gien. With a dense historical and cultural heritage, the Loiret remains a charming and character place. The art and history of the Loiret can be read in the stones of towns and villages. |  |
| You must stop at the Royal city of Orleans, one of the oldest cities in France. The ancient Gallic city, became capital of Clovis and Joan of Arc would make famous in delivering from the English in 1429, offers visitors its old center today renovated. The city classified "City of Art and History" displays all the assets of seduction with its large flower parks, mansions, museums, Loire redeveloped docks ... |  |
| Loiret it is also a beautiful religious heritage: the famous Cathedral Sainte Croix d'Orléans, the Basilica of Cléry-Saint-André related to the memory of Louis XI, the Abbey of St. Benoit-sur-Loire masterpiece Romanesque or Carolingian Oratory Germigny-des-Prés, the Royal Abbey of Ferrière-en-Gâtinais ... fascinated by their architectural feats. |  |
| Loiret Tourism | |
The Loire Wines |
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We are also beside the famous region of Loire wines. The wines of Orléans have chosen land for the plates located on both banks of the Loire, and have today a good reputation thanks to passionate winemakers. Fresh and thirst-quenching, these black pinot and gris meuniers has attractive deep pink dress and a bouquet of currants and cassis that associates with happiness to the venaison of Sologne or some delicatessen. Upstream, the vineyards of the Giennois hills grow on the banks of the Loire up to the southern boundary of the department on the Nevers river bank. Light and fruity, these newly classified AOC wines accompany subtly goat cheese from the region or a tasty sausage of Jargeau then giving the full measure of their character. |
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La Touraine |
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| Located in the heart of the Loire Chateaux, Tours is a city full of charm combining modernity and history with the Old city le “Vieux Tours”. For tourism, after the visit of half-timbered houses of the Plumereau square and the area of old Tours, here are some other inevitable for your Week-End : a museum with beautifully Fine Arts, Tours castle and its many exhibitions, the beautiful Saint-Gatien cathedral, the Psalette cloister, and a basilica which houses the tomb of St. Martin. Food lovers will also appreciate the Halles, mecca of Tours gastronomy and the many wine bars and restaurants ... |  |
| Further south, Amboise is the most Italian of the Loire Valley cities because of its predominantly Renaissance architecture. By foot, we appreciate its shopping streets as well as walks along the Loire banks with their great view. The Renaissance period has left two spectacular examples with the Royal Castle of Amboise (marked by the presence of Charles VIII, Anne de Bretagne and François 1er), and Clos-Lucé (last home of Leonardo da Vinci, in the gardens of which are exposed models of his many inventions). At the southern exit of the city of Amboise, this is an architectural folie that can be discovered in the middle of a large park: the Pagoda of Chanteloup, monument commissioned by the Duke of Choiseul, then exiled from the court under Louis XV. |  |
| Chinon is reknown by few famous names like Jeanne d’Arc, Richard Coeur de Lion ... and it's also the famous Chinon wine in delicate nectar. Vineyards within sight, a majestic royal fortress that watches over a nice timbered downtown to be discover through a guided tour, carriage or a greeter… Discover Chinon by foot: here you bite a fouasse, you stop at one of its terraces or in one of its wine cellars (Plouzeau, Chai Pierre and Bertrand Couly, Couly-Dutheil, Monplaisir, Castle of the grid, or the domain Noiré). |
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From its rich medieval past, the city of Loches kept its fortifications, its impressive tower of 44 meters and the Cathedral Saint-Ours. Inherited from Renaissance, you can also see the Logis Royal with its characteristic lines. The lower town is full of charm with the City Hall, the Chancellery and its many traditional retailers. Every Wednesday, the old city is also animated by one of the most beautiful markets of the department, which are high on the best local produce.
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| Tourism Touraine | |
Fontainebleau |
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| Louis VII was the first king to be interested in Fontainebleau where he installed his hunting lodge. Successive kings have built and modified the Chateau in which Napoleon also lived, as 34 sovereigns altogether, leaving beautiful architectural vestiges, a great place to visit. |  |
Nemours |
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| Capital of the duché de Nemours, on the banks of the Loing, the city belonged to the royal crown. There is still the ancient castle whose first foundations date back to the 12th century as well as the church. The city is the origin of the famous company Dupont de Nemours (chemistry). For vintage car enthusiasts, crossing Nemours is legendary. This is the famous Nationale 7 which brought travelers to the south during holidays, you need no less than two hours to cross the city... |
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