The Centre Val de Loire region is in the centre of France, so somehow, it may be rather close to where you live. So take a break, take a day, or some days to discover this lovely region.
Do you like more peaceful places ? If so this region is for you. The density is 65 inhabitants per km², half the national density.
A wonderful nature
If you like nature and peaceful environments, you will have plenty options. The Centre Val de Loire region hosts 3 Regional Nature Parks,
- the Brenne Regional Nature Park with 1.000 ponds and lakes
- the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Nature Park, "A stunning mosaic of landscapes"
- the Perche Regional Nature "A wonderful combination of hedged farmland, forests and manor houses"
but also the Sologne, "a wild and mysterious region covered with ponds", the Orléans forest "the biggest national forest in France", the Berry canal. Just make your choices and wander around to enjoy the beautiful nature all around you.
A great heritage : Castles with the famous "Châteaux de la Loire", George Sand's house, the Chartres Cathedral, Leonardo da Vinci's tomb.
Beside the famous castles such as Chambord, Chenonceau, Cheverny, Amboise, you may also wish to visit Ussé, Anet, or the Maintenon Castle, the latter being offered by Louis XIV to Mrs de Maintenon, who was his mistress, and then his wife after a very intimate ceremony.
If you like history, you will be able to visit the Chartres Cathedral, the Noirlac Abbey, the Briare aqueduct "an outstanding piece of civil engineering", or the Argentomagus archaeological site, "Gallo-Roman city dating from 2AD".
Regarding litterature and art, the Leonardo da Vinci's tomb in the Castle of Amboise, the George Sand's house, the potters's village of La Borne, the Porcelain of Berry, the Picassiette house (Naïve art), and the Orleans Museum of Fine Arts.
What to eat and drink ?
Cheese of course like in every French region. Did you know, that there are more than 365 cheese in France, meaning, that in the course of one year, you are able to eat a different cheese every day. In this region, you will essentially find goat cheese : the Crottin de Chavignol,the sainte-maure-de touraine, and the Valençay.
2 very famous sweet specialities : the Pithiviers, an almond cake, and the Tarte Tatin, a caramelized apple pie (born in Lamotte-Beuvron).
With cheese and food in general, some of us will wish a glass of wine. For local wines, how about ordering for a Sancerre, a Menetou-Salon, a Quincy, a Reuilly or a Châteaumeillant.
Activities
Visit some castles is definitely something to do : "Enjoy heading off along the Châteaux on bike, with 400km of cycle paths, tracks and quiet country roads to explore, following a dozen secure, well-signposted circuits. Seek out grand châteaux like those at Chambord, Chaumont-sur-Loire, Cheverny and Blois… and discover many less well-known treasures such as Loire-side villages, the Sologne’s mysterious forests and lakes, and countless wine-making estates. See hereunder, a link with 12 intineraries and lots of information in English.
Hot-air ballooning over Touraine, Loire sightseeing trip in a traditional boat,
The Eguzon lake : windsailing, canoeing, boating, waterskiing, pedalos, swimming, rowing and fishing.
On the Sidiailles Lake at the Sidiailles Nature Adventure Centre you will also find nature leisure activities : tree adventure, boat, giant zip lines, fishing, hiking, climbing, swimming.
In September, the Festival de Loire in Orléans shows how boats were built in the 18th century. The festival is in September.
Hope you Enjoy !
Dominique
Find some extracts of the above and more in the following websites
Nice other places with these videos
