The Region Centre-Val de Loire gathers 6 departments : Cher, Eure-et-Loir, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Loiret and Loir-et-Cher.
A rural and relatively sparsely populated territory, but with a strong demographic development, it is home to only two metropolises with more than 400,000 inhabitants, Tours and Orléans. In addition, there are charming cities with their historic centres: Blois, Bourges and Chartres. Crossed by the Loire Valley, this territory is especially known for its sumptuous castles, and especially the most famous of them, the castle of Chenonceau and the castle of Chambord. It is also a popular wine destination for its white wines, including Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. In addition, the Centre-Val de Loire, with its gentle relief, is a particularly suitable destination for cycle tourism with itineraries totalling 800 km in length (La Loire à Vélo) and hiking. Not to be missed, the Beauval zoo pampers its famous baby panda christened by the First Lady of France. The castles should not make you forget the cathedrals! Those of Chartres, Orleans, Tours or Bourges are as many jewels. You should also see the Jacques-Coeur palace in Bourges and the Briare canal bridge. The banks of the Loire, the rolling forests, the villages and the fields make up romantic and charming landscapes. All in all, an inspiring country, that of Descartes, Rabelais, Balzac, Proust and George Sand... So bring your Petit Futé Centre-Val-de-Loire to review your history of France and prepare your stay!
