Top Things to do in Loir-et-Cher
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Top 10 Sights & Landmarks in Loir-et-Cher, Centre-Val de Loire
Discover the best top things to do in Loir-et-Cher, France including Eglise Saint Dye, Chateau of Talcy, Chateau de Cheverny, Chapelle Saint Gilles, Chateau Royal de Blois, Basilique Notre-dame De La Trinite, Chateau de Chambord, Eglise Saint-Jacques-des-Guerets, Abbaye de la Trinite, Chateau de Troussay.
Restaurants in Loir-et-Cher
1. Eglise Saint Dye
2. Chateau of Talcy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
Although built at the same time of the great castles in the Loire valley, Talcy remains untouched by the popular Italian style and its love of decoration. The wells, outhouses including press and dovecote and the garden all emphasize the rural nature of the estate. The castle has retained its interior decoration and furniture from the 18th century. Site with the "Outstanding Garden" label. Open: > 2nd May to 4th September: from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. > 5th September to 30th April: from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Last admission 1 hr before closing time. Closed: > Tuesdays from 1st October to 31st March. > 1st January, 1st May 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
3. 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.
4. Chapelle Saint Gilles
5. 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.
6. Basilique Notre-dame De La Trinite
7. 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.
8. Eglise Saint-Jacques-des-Guerets
9. 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.
10. Chateau de Troussay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 179 reviews
Historical monument, the smallest of the chateaux of the Loire has a history that dates 600 years back and brings a mosaic of ancient decors from more than 10 chateaux of the Loire destroyed after the French revolution and collected by the historian Louis de La Saussaye at the XIXth century. Sold only twice in its history, it is in the same family for 600 years. The old winery is a small jewel of refinement with decors of Elements sparking great artistic and cultural interest, it is a haven of peace in its green setting surrounded by vineyards. Opened for business for 40 years, his visit shows a set of architectural interest and al English park with rare species as well as a chicken coop. Its soft atmosphere of intimate and personal dwelling is a refinement for lovers of subtlety and wellbeing. The guided tour lasts about 40 minutes and can remain stroll or picnic in the English park al. Since May 2015, the young owner opened among other things of bed and breakfast and cottages for contrinuer has maintained its field in good condition and make it live and it is a small business.
Reviewed By zsolts534
Beautiful, charming castle, cosy atmosphere, real antique decoration, nice comfortable room with nice decoration, wonderful garden with amazing old trees, creative-great decoration all over at the property, friendly young people and a charming very nice owner; thank you! Highly recommended for people who are not searching for a standard but unique accomodation.
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