What to do and see in Centre-Val de Loire, France: The Best Things to do

January 18, 2022 Elouise Mccaul

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. Cathedrale Saint-Gatien

Place de la Cathedrale, 37000, Tours France +33 2 47 71 21 00 http://www.paroisse-cathedrale-tours.catholique.fr/patrimoine-visitez-la-cathedrale/cathedrale-saint-gatien
Excellent
59%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,090 reviews

Cathedrale Saint-Gatien

Reviewed By 590JackK - Lebanon, United States

While there are many sites to behold in the city of Tours, be sure to visit this cathedral. It took four hundred years to build, and was listed as an historic monument in 1862. Everything about it is astonishing to see, from the portals of the facade to the stained glass windows. The two towers each hold something significant in them: the north the royal stairs; the south the cathedral's bells. Aside from other Parisian-style gothic architecture, there are also the tombs of Charles VIII and Anne de Bretagne's children, all in the south chapel. There are plentiful cathedrals to visit when visiting this region; I'd make this one of them.

2. Chateau Royal d'Amboise

Montee de l'Emir Abd El Kader Montée de l'Emir Abd-el-Kader, 37400, Amboise France +33 2 47 57 00 98 [email protected] http://www.chateau-amboise.com
Excellent
50%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,378 reviews

Chateau Royal d'Amboise

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.

3. Le Chateau du Clos Luce - Parc Leonardo da Vinci

2 rue du clos Luce, 37400, Amboise France +33 2 47 57 00 73 [email protected] http://www.vinci-closluce.com
Excellent
53%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,037 reviews

Le Chateau du Clos Luce - Parc Leonardo da Vinci

At the invitation of Francis I, Leonardo da Vinci came to live at the Château du Clos Lucé and stayed here for the last three years of his life, devoting himself to perfecting his inventions. Leonardo was prolific and inspired, working as an engineer, architect and theatrical director, organising lavish festivities for the Court. At his residence 300 metres from the Château Royal, he drew up plans for a model château for Francis I in Romorantin and designed the double-helix open staircase in the Château de Chambord.The Château du Clos Lucé is dedicated to showing and explaining to the public the great knowledge acquired by the Italian Maestro.

Reviewed By 76marab - Green Mountain, United States

This wonderful look at the life and accomplishments of Leonardo Da Vinci as seen through a day in the life at his home (for the last three years of his life) Clos du Lucé is so lifelike it feels like he might be back for lunch. Period music is playing, his writing, experiments and painting supplies are all strewn about and admits to it all are little vignettes telling you more about his inventions and life. Many miniature models exists of his prototypes and as an added bonus, there are animated videos showing via computer graphics how some of the larger scale ones would have or did work. Life size models on campus as well. Great fun for all ages. Restaurant and gif5 shop on site at this park like setting.

4. Cathedrale De Bourges

Place Etienne-Dolet, 18000 Bourges France +33 2 48 23 02 60 http://www.bourges-cathedrale.fr
Excellent
73%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,090 reviews

Cathedrale De Bourges

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.

5. Chateau Royal de Blois

6 Place du Chateau, 41000, Blois France +33 2 54 90 33 32 [email protected] http://en.chateaudeblois.fr/
Excellent
48%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,961 reviews

Chateau Royal de Blois

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. Chartres Cathedral

16 Cloitre Notre Dame, 28000, Chartres France +33 2 37 21 75 02 [email protected] http://www.cathedrale-chartres.org
Excellent
78%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,907 reviews

Chartres Cathedral

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

7. Cathedrale Ste-Croix

Pl. Ste-Croix Place Sainte-Croix, 45000, Orleans France +33 2 38 24 05 05 http://www.tourisme-orleansmetropole.com/
Excellent
59%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,703 reviews

Cathedrale Ste-Croix

Reviewed By LiamBateman - Greater London, United Kingdom

This is an amazing cathedral and very interesting to visit. Plus during the summer check out the amazing light and sound show at night.

8. ZooParc de Beauval

Route du Blanc, 41110, Saint-Aignan France +33 2 54 75 50 00 [email protected] http://www.zoobeauval.com/
Excellent
66%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 16,141 reviews

ZooParc de Beauval

Reviewed By dennish488 - Grobbendonk, Belgium

Absolutely stunning, large areas for the animals. Worth a full day visit. Located on a very large area with lots af facilities to play, eat, look at animals from differents perspectives, etc.

9. Musee du Compagnonnage

8 rue Nationale, 37000, Tours France +33 2 47 21 62 20 http://www.museecompagnonnage.fr
Excellent
62%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 614 reviews

Musee du Compagnonnage

10. Place Plumereau

Place Plumereau, 37000, Tours France http://www.placeplumereau.com
Excellent
49%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,392 reviews

Place Plumereau

Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia

Place Plumereau is a beautiful and rather picturesque area to visit. It is the centre of the old quarters of Tours and it offers some surprising appeal. The architecture of the buildings is rather interesting and many look quite old, but I am not sure how old they would be! The square is full of cafes and restaurants, and it would be easy to just sit at any of them and enjoy a cup of coffee or a meal. However visitors should really be very careful with their choice!

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