Top Things to do in Loir-et-Cher
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The 10 Best Historic Sites in Loir-et-Cher, Centre-Val de Loire
Discover the best top things to do in Loir-et-Cher, France including Eglise Saint-pierre Aux Liens, Chateau Royal de Blois, Chateau de Fougeres-sur-Bievre, Chateau de Chambord, Abbaye de la Trinite, Commanderie Templiere d'Arville, Domaine National de Chambord, Ancienne abbaye Notre-Dame d'Aigues-Vives, Chateau de Villesavin, Hotel de Villebresme (Maison de Denis Papin).
Restaurants in Loir-et-Cher
1. Eglise Saint-pierre Aux Liens
2. Chateau Royal de Blois
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,961 reviews
Aux portes du Val de Loire, le château royal de Blois présente un véritable panorama de l'art et de l'histoire des châteaux de la Loire, ce qui en fait la meilleure introduction à leur visite par sa richesse architecturale. Autour de la cour, dominée par le monumental escalier François Ier, se déploie un florilège de quatre styles de l'architecture française, le style gothique avec la salle des Etats généraux, les prémices de l'influence italienne avec l'aile Louis XII, Renaissance dans l'aile François Ier et enfin classique avec l'aile bâtie par Mansart pour le duc d'Orléans. Résidence de sept rois et de dix reines de France, le château royal est le lieu évocateur du pouvoir et de la vie quotidienne de la cour à la Renaissance, comme en témoignent les appartements royaux, meublés et ornés de magnifiques décors polychromes.
Reviewed By tallpinesCO - Steamboat Springs, United States
We chose this chateau for a rainy day because it’s a city chateau, with no gardens (though there is a park across the street). During a lull in the downpour, we admired the different styles of architecture from several centuries, beginning with a fortified tower left from the 1200s or so. The visitor goes through the rooms in more or less chronological order through the reigns of French kings over several centuries. We liked Blois much more than we did some years ago, because now every room and every object has a very fine explanation and description in English (as well as French, of course). An audio guide was 4 Euros, but we skipped it. The printed information was just enough for us. A series of rooms on the lower level display old pieces of stonework from various eras of the chateau. Where else can you get up close and personal with a whole collection of human and animal gargoyles? So many kings and queens have lived at Blois that it serves as an excellent introduction to the other great chateaux of the Loire Valley. There is an attached fine art gallery with interesting work by French artists and others, such as Rembrandt. Again, everything is very well explained in English/French placards.
3. Chateau de Fougeres-sur-Bievre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
A small fortified castle built in the second half of the 15th century and the beginning of the 16th, Fougères with its machicolated entrance curtain and keep, is the perfect example of the art of rural buildings. All rooms in the château are opened to visitors in addition to the attics medieval garden. The castle's roofs are open for visits. Open: > 8th May to 10th September: from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. > 11th September to 7th May: from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Last admission 30 minutes before closing time. Closed: > Tuesdays from 11th September to 7th May. > 1st January, 1st May, 1st November, 11th November and 25th December. Admission fees: Adults : 5,50 €; Concessions (18 to 25) = 4 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups
4. Chateau de Chambord
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,668 reviews
Chambord is the emblem of the French Renaissance through Europe and the world. The Domain of Chambord is made up of the château, a village, farms and a wooded area. The domain of Chambord is completely enclosed within a wall, all 5,440 hectares of it. That’s the equivalent of the city of Paris! It is the largest enclosed forest in Europe. The entire site has been the property of the state since 1930; when the public estate was created, article 230 of the law dated 23 February 2005 stated that the possessions making up the domain were given over to it without restriction or exceptions.
Reviewed By 430fredg - Milton, Canada
Our group of travellers from Canada visited this incredible chateau on our recent tour of the Loire Valley. The Chateau de Chambord, one of the greatest architectural masterpieces of the Renaissance, is famous for its double-story staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci. The chateau is linked with its natural forest surroundings and its 5440 hectares, while the Domaine is the largest walled estate in Europe, thirty-two km of walls. The staircase involves two spiral stairs that turn in the same direction but never meet. It took between twenty and thirty years to finish the construction of the chateau-eighteen hundred people worked at building it. There are 282 chimneys, 77 staircases and 32 apartments for friends of the king Francois the first, and his court. Although king Francis was responsible for creating the concept of Chambord Chateau, he himself only spent 72 days in it, and the building was eventually completed by King Louis IV. Use the headsets provided, as there is a historical treasure trove in the numerous rooms. Also walk around the gardens, they are very colourful and visually stunning.
5. Abbaye de la Trinite
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By laidlerpaul53 - Vendome, France
I really enjoyed my visit here. The stonework at the front is exquisite and less damaged by atmospheric erosion than other buildings of a similar age, although there has been some restoration, and I can't always tell the full extend of the restoration. The interior with its massive vaulted ceiling impressed this 21st century peasant as I'm sure it has for hundreds of years. Some excellent stained glass, including some modern windows that fitted the setting very well.
6. Commanderie Templiere d'Arville
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
The commandery of Arville is one of the best preserved Knights Templar commanderies in France with its church and fortied porch (12th century), stables, tithe barn and dovecote (15th-16th centuries). The museum reveals the fascinating story of the Knights Templar and the Crusades. An immersive exhibition with 8 galleries oers you an interactive experience : it’s as if you were travelling to Jerusalem. Audioguides and exhibition notes in English are available to enhance your visit.
7. Domaine National de Chambord
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 170 reviews
8. Ancienne abbaye Notre-Dame d'Aigues-Vives
9. Chateau de Villesavin
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 199 reviews
