City: Centre-Val de Loire
Top Things to do in Centre-Val de Loire
Countries
The 10 Best Things to do for Honeymoon in Centre-Val de Loire, France
Centre-Val de Loire (French pronunciation: [sɑ̃tʁ val də lwaʁ], "Centre-Loire Valley") is one of the 18 administrative regions of France. It straddles the middle Loire Valley in the interior of the country. The administrative capital is Orléans, but the largest city is Tours.
Restaurants in Centre-Val de Loire
1. Chateau du Petit Thouars
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 169 reviews
Chateau du Petit Thouars is an award-winning family-run vineyard located in the heart of the Loire Valley wine country: between Chinon, Saumur, and Bourgueil. We are open year-round for free wine tastings in our traditional salle de degustation/tasting room and look forward to welcoming you to the joys of our 100% Cabernet Franc wines! Wine tasting - Cellar Tours - Group Lunches and Dinners - Picnics in the vines - Boat Tours.
Reviewed By NeedToSeeItAll - Perth, Australia
We booked a lunch and wine tasting for a group of 40 of our friends and family while travelling together prior to our wedding nearby. We unanimously decided that this was one of the best experiences of our entire trip (if not the best), and I cannot recommend the experience enough. The food was excellent, the wine was excellent - a great range to suit every palate, the service was excellent and very personal - delivered by the Count of Petit-Thouars himself, along with his family. The location is divine. A true slice of paradise. Get here now.
2. Chateau de Chenonceau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,584 reviews
Beautiful country villa surrounded by a moat and inspired by the Italian Renaissance.
Reviewed By Voyagerthes - Thessaloniki, Greece
Beautiful castle and gardens with so much history,romantic setting and unbelievable views!!!you can relax at the self-service cafe or lunch in the excellent restaurant of the Chateau L'orangerie!!
3. Art Montgolfieres
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 109 reviews
The castles of the Loire Valley from the sky !!!!!Balloon flights over the most beautiful castles of the Loire.We offer an adventure of 3 hours, 1 hour flight, after which we will share a cup of wine "sparkling ".......Accessible to all, the balloon flight will remain unforgettable for everyone.
4. Au Gre Des Vents
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 106 reviews
Entre Touraine et Sologne, la societe Au Gre Des Vents propose des vols en montgolfieres au depart des chateaux de la Loire: BLOIS, Chaumont sur loire, Cherverny, Chambord et Chenonceau
5. Chateau Royal d'Amboise
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,378 reviews
With the dawning of the Renaissance, the mighty medieval fortress of Amboise gave way to a royal residence, during the reigns of the Kings of France Charles VIII and François I. The Court, a large number of men and women of letters and European artists, stayed here on invitation from the sovereigns, one example being Leonardo da Vinci who lies here in peace in the Château’s Chapel.This place of high renown in the History of France boasts an exceptional collection of Gothic and Renaissance furniture illustrating the artistic finery of the first French Renaissance. After a visit of the Royal House and the impressive Cavalry Towers, the walk continues in the magnificent panoramic gardens overlooking the Loire river.
Reviewed By 70MikeMM - San Francisco, United States
Everything about this beautiful chateau is impressive - the setting on the cliffs above the river, the gardens, the staterooms, and the small chapel with the grave of Leonardo DaVinci. It’s an unforgettable experience.
6. Cathedrale De Bourges
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,090 reviews
Reviewed By MattNys - Antwerp, Belgium
France being the walhalla of Cathedral lovers, if you have to choose a few, put Bourges at the top of your list. Beautiful city, fantastic Cathedral, I have never seen such a fine stained window art and there are so many windows to see. If you have the time, book a tour with a guide that knows the stories of each window, You will not be bored. If you don't have the time, just walk around in awe.
7. House of George Sand
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 377 reviews
George Sand’s house was built at the end of the XVIII century. The great woman writer spent her childhood at Nohant and wrote most of her works in the house, which retains the original furniture and decor. Site with the "Outstanding Garden" label. Open: > 2nd May to 30th June: from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. > 1st July to 31st August: from 9.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. > 1st to 30th September and 1st to 30th April: from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. > 1st October to 31st March: from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Closed: > 1st January, 1st May, 1st November, 11th November and 25th December. Admission fees: Adults : 7,50 €; Concessions (18 to 25) = 4,50 €; 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
Reviewed By wellsdorothy - Bristol, United Kingdom
My husband and I visited this famous french writer's house and indeed the region in July of this year. The tour was very interesting and insightful into the life of an intriguing lady. The grounds were well kept and the weather was beautiful
8. Chateau de Cheverny
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,819 reviews
Come and discover the first private home to open its doors to the public in 1922. You will appreciate the splendour and delight of real life in a castle. The owners invite you to discover this fantastic and vivid heritage: from the botanical park to the magnificent interior of the Château; the hunting dog kennels to Tintin's exhibition and the gardens through to the forest. The Château displays a wonderful range of furniture and interior decoration, all of which are remarkably well preserved. The private apartments on the first floor convey the French ‘art de vivre’ Many treasures can be found at Cheverny like a 17th century Gobelin tapestry for example, on display in the Arms room or the Louis XIV chest of drawers in the Boulle style. And you may even spend the night in one of our modern flats with top of the range furniture !
Reviewed By AnaK648 - Mayaguez, Caribbean
Although we did not visit the extensive grounds, due to a stifling heat wave, there were various things to do for all ages. First, there is the feeding of the hounds, which is spectacular. Be careful, though, because the bars separating us from the dogs are wide enough for them to get their muzzles through. Sure enough, I got bitten! Not badly, and it did make the experience eventful. The chateau, which was used as a model for Captain Haddock’s chateau in the animated series, Tin Tin, has a dedicated space recreating several adventures that kids might enjoy, as it is interactive. There was also a special exhibit at the time, acknowledging the role of the chateau in transporting/hiding great works of art from the Louvre, etc., during the German occupation (WWII). The current owner, a Marquis, lives in one wing of the chateau, and there are photos of his wedding and other events, such as the visit of the British Queen Mother, in various rooms. There are also, of course, many portraits of ancestors and a variety of different décor that span centuries. We had lunch at the Café de l’Orangerie, which is beautiful, but the food is nothing special. A worth-while visit all in all.
9. Chartres Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,907 reviews
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its high-Gothic art and architectural style.
Reviewed By djmmyv - Bishops Stortford, United Kingdom
Excellent examples of stain glass and possibly the tallest cathedral I have visited The town has a free light show through summer through to September that is unmissable
10. 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.
