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Loire Valley (Centre) / Centre Val-de-Loire
The Loire Valley is made up of six départements (counties): Eure-et-Loir, Loiret, Loir-et-Cher, Cher, Indre, Indre-et-Loire.
Explore over 800 magnificent chateaux. Discover charming towns of art and history. Take a stroll through the lush gardens. And don’t miss a chance to visit one of the numerous museums and cathedrals.
Escape into the enchanting countryside and enjoy cycle tours, bird-watching, golf, hot-air ballooning, canoeing and kayaking.
If you are a food lover then the Loire Valley is the place for you from fresh fish to goat’s cheese, delicious wines and more delicious local specialities.
An hour's drive South of Paris, the Loire Valley offers holiday experiences to suit everyone. Experience its astonishing châteaux open to the public, many with extensive, lush gardens. Be seduced by 740 religious monuments such as the impressive Chartres and Bourges cathedrals. The Loire Valley boasts a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For further information, visit the Loire Valley Tourist Board at http://www.visaloire.com
We thank them for their collaboration.
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Loire Valley (Centre) / Centre Val-de-Loire
The Loire Valley is made up of six départements (counties): Eure-et-Loir, Loiret, Loir-et-Cher, Cher, Indre, Indre-et-Loire.
Explore over 800 magnificent chateaux. Discover charming towns of art and history. Take a stroll through the lush gardens. And don’t miss a chance to visit one of the numerous museums and cathedrals. Escape into the enchanting countryside and enjoy cycle tours, bird-watching, golf, hot-air ballooning, canoeing and kayaking. If you are a food lover then the Loire Valley is the place for you from fresh fish to goat’s cheese, delicious wines and more delicious local specialities. An hour's drive South of Paris, the Loire Valley offers holiday experiences to suit everyone. Experience its astonishing châteaux open to the public, many with extensive, lush gardens. Be seduced by 740 religious monuments such as the impressive Chartres and Bourges cathedrals. The Loire Valley boasts a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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A Day and Night in the Trees
It’s a day for the family high up in the trees where you will be able to travel through a forest with ease. A guide will bring you safely along the chosen route. It is a place for young and old but a head for heights is needed.
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Eure-et-Loir in Loire (Centre)
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Loir-et-Cher in Loire (Centre)
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Horse Riding in Loire (Centre)
Trails for horse riding are provided throughout the Loire Valley, allowing you to visit many places most other tourists can’t go. Ride along the Loire river banks, through the forests and by the many vineyards of the region.
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Golf in Loire (Centre)
The Loire Valley has golf courses which bring the golfer right into the centre of all its nature. How about playing a course of golf on the banks of the Loire River?
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Water Sports in Loire (Centre)
Crossed by the Loire River, Cher, Indre, Eure, Creuse and Vienne Rivers, the Centre is a wonderful region for canoeing and kayaking. As a sport or simply as a leisure activity, canoeing and kayaking are original ways to discover the tourist wealth of the region. Flow with the current during your excursion.
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The Brenne, a Haven for Unspoilt Wildlife
On the edge of the Berry region, discover the Brenne, an exceptional ‘land of a thousand lakes’ with many rare aquatic species of plants and animals and over 2,000 ‘fishponds’.
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Gastronomic Temptations
Celebrated by the legendary writer Rabelais, Loire Valley offers many vegetable gardens, orchards and farms to discover. Enjoy strolling through French food markets, meeting local farmers and doing some shopping, savouring culinary delights in Loire Centre’s elegant local restaurants.
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Nature at its Best
Known for its historical and architectural heritage, the Loire Valley is also the ideal naturalist’s destination. Take a deep breath and dive into a land full of opportunities and adventures.
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The Loire Valley Vineyards
Loire Valley produces an excellent range of red, rosé and white wines, as well as sparkling and sweet wines. Connected by a majestic river, the vineyards stretch from Sancerre to the Touraine.
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Cycling in Loire (Centre)
Experience an ever-expanding range of cyclist trails with over 400 km of sign-posted routes, made up of quiet roads and exclusive cycle tracks in the sumptuous settings of the Loire Valley. Enjoy biking through a UNESCO World Heritage site and along the banks of Europe's last wild river, the Loire.
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To the Air
The Loire Valley is extremely large. Exploring it all would take quite some time by conventional means. For a more original and unique vantage point of this remarkable land, hot air balloon rides are available to transport you over the valley.
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Wine Tours
Bourges is an ideal point of departure to explore the vineyards. The medieval town of Sancerre, with its stone tower, perched atop its ancient flint hill and cloaked all around with vineyards, will really impress you.
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Loire-Anjou–Touraine, a world heritage site by UNESCO
As well as its architectural and historical treasures, the Park located in the heart of the Loire, boasts beautiful scenery. It encompasses landscapes and diverse natural habitats of great value.
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Cave Dwellings
Very early signs of prehistoric existence can be found in Loire Centre. Caves that have survived centuries in the region are one of the first types of human dwelling to be found in France.
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Bourges, City of Light and Stone
A vibrant, sporty and cultural city home to the prestigious music festival "le Printemps de Bourges". Discover Saint-Etienne Cathedral, one of the most beautiful in France with a remarkable sweeping unity and colossal scale.
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Orleans: Gateway to the Loire Valley
As the town of heroine Joan of Arc, discover the stunning historic centre with the stained glass windows of the Sainte-Croix Cathedral telling her story.
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The Perche
Only an hour from Paris, the charming Perche region is the perfect place for botanists and mushroom seekers with over 1,100 species of vascular plants. There are also extensive forests crossed by the GR 35, a marked hikers trail.
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Chartres, Stained Glass Capital
A real mix of culture, art and lifestyle permeates this town, from its Cathedral to its tiny streets made for strolling. The Notre Dame Cathedral is a medieval splendour with its original stained glass.
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Historic Towns
Amboise is a very Italian Loire Valley city with a prestigious heritage. Visit the magnificent royal Renaissance château which offers unrivalled panoramic views of the Loire Valley from its imposing gothic balconies.
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Tours, Reflecting an Art de Vivre
Tours is the ultimate “hop across the channel” city break with a short flight from London Stansted. As a former Gallo-Roman city, you can still see small vestiges.
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Visit Chateau de Chenonceau
Chenonceau is, after Versailles, the most visited French castle. Aside from the visit to the castle, the chateau de Chenonceau provides a large range of activities and services like: a gastronomic restaurant l'Orangerie, a buffet restaurant, a tea room, the Ladies Galery (wax museum) and sailing in small boats during summer months. You can also discovery the vegetable garden, the 16th century farm and the flower workshop where incredible flower displays are created and displayed in the castle.
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Not to be missed in the Loire (centre)
It is western Europe's last wild river, over 1,000 km long, that shapes the region : The Loire. On its banks the aristocracy built châteaux that are among the jewels of French architecture. Amboise, Chambord, Blois, Azay-le-Rideau are all extraordinary.
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VFB Holidays French Town & Country Hotels Short Break
4 days/3 nights from £111pp. Self-drive break inc. ferry travel. Stay in 2,3 or 4 star hotel (B+B)
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Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours
Enjoy fine wine & food on our special tours.Try 25 different champagnes in 1 weekend!
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Grape Escapes
Grape Escapes are the leading wine tour company specialising in the premium regions of France, especially Champagne. We provide a range of short breaks incorporating wine tasting and gourmet dining.
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Inntravel Cycling Holidays
Leisurely self-guided holidays for easy to moderate cycling in France.
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European Waterways
Six nights of pampered luxury with gourmet meals; fine wines; daily excursions to vineyards, chateaux and markets and daily gentle cruising. Cabins are ensuite and air-conditioned.
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Francophiles Exploring France
Accompanied cultural luxury coach tours to regions of France
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More Holiday Options ...
Find hotel / b&b accommodation in Loire (Centre)
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