View of a lake in Centre-Val de Loire near Originals Hotels
Trees on a riverbank in Loire de Valley near Originals Hotels
Centre-Val de Loire
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Your travel guide to Centre-Val de Loire

Better known to many tourists as Centre-Val de Loire, Centre is one of the 18 administrative regions that make up France. Unsurprisingly, Centre is a landlocked region which is located in the middle of the country.Tours is the biggest city in the region followed by Orléans, Bourges and Blois. Centre is noted for its many glorious castles, or chateaux, which are dotted all over the region, a good many of them are located along the Loire Valley and overlook at the banks of the Loire River. In addition to the many attractions, historic towns and buildings, Centre is a winemaking region with plenty of vineyards that you can visit which means it is a popular holiday destination for oenophiles! Follow our local hoteliers advice for unique things to do and the best places to visit.

Majesty, Serenity, Beauty

CENTRE-VAL DE LOIRE : THE HOTELS

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CENTRE-VAL DE LOIRE : THE BEST CITIES

Orléans

Located in the northern portion of France and approximately 110 kilometres south of Paris, the city of Orleans is the capital of the Centre-Val de Loire region.

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Tours

Tours is a city nestled within the western and central portion of France.

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Bourges

It’s hard to resist the charms of the city of Jacques Coeur. A rich heritage of architecture and culture with a UNESCO awarded grand cathedral, a historic city-centre as endearing as it is lively with charming wood-timber houses, and a marshland seemingly made for summer-evening-strolling, Bourges invites relaxation and much more besides.  

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CENTRE-VAL DE LOIRE : BE INSPIRED

What to do, to see, to hear...

Visit

The most northerly department in Centre – and consequently the easiest to get to from the cross-channel ports – is Eure-et-Loir which has the charming and historical town of Dreux within its borders. It is well worth a visit even if you are passing through further south.
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The eastern part of the Parc Naturel Régional Loire-Anjou-Touraine lies in Centre, a great place for hiking and spotting corncrakes, ospreys and even beavers.
Try

Hot air ballooning. It's a popular way to see the Loire Valley in all of its splendour and you can arrange for a trip from many locations, such as Amboise, situated in Indre-et-Loire.
Stroll

In the Flower Market in Tours, it's something to behold even if you don't buy any cut blooms. Take time to visit the old town when you are in this city, too!
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A seemingly typical town on the River Cher, Vierzon has a vibrant cultural scene and is known for its theatre, its circus skills heritage and its musical conservatoire.
Contemplate

Chartres has one of the most famous architectural feats ever constructed in the form of its cathedral which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

TRANSPORTS IN CENTRE-VAL DE LOIRE

The A71 autoroute is the main north-south motorway in Centre. The D2020 is a toll-free alternative but a little slower. East-west communications are provided for by the A10 and A85. All of the major cities, such as Tours, Blois and Orléans, are easy to get to by train.

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WHEN TO GO TO CENTRE-VAL DE LOIRE ?

Most visitors head to the Loire Valley in mid-summer when it is at its most attractive and the long evenings make for a relaxed holiday. However, the region is just as good to visit in the autumn, when its mushroom pickers are out in force. A series of events take place at the end of May and start of April in Orléans to celebrate the life of the local heroine, Joan of Arc. Comic Boom – a festival devoted to graphical illustration – takes place in Blois every November.

WHAT TO DO IN CENTRE-VAL DE LOIRE ?

Centre-Val de Loire has many activities to take part in which will keep the whole family occupied. 

BOURGES

 

Bourges lights up its Gothic and Renaissance landmarks during the summer months with some magnificent projections making it the ideal place for an evening sightseeing tour. 

CHARTRES

 

Chartres has much to offer water lovers with plenty of riverboats for hire plus an aquatic centre which is ideal for visitors with energetic youngsters. 

LAKESIDE BEACH OF FOUGERES

 

Just to the south of the town of Châteauroux is the beautiful lakeside beach of Fougères on the Creuse River. It is free but you can choose to pay for activities like water skiing.  
 

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The best restaurants in Centre-Val de Loire

With some great wines made locally, fine dining is definitely on the cards in Centre-Val de Loire.

Orléans

MOSAIQUE

Situated on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Jean, Restaurant Mosaique is one of Orléans' best fine dining establishments with a distinctively oriental menu.