Top Things to do in Loir-et-Cher
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Kids in Loir-et-Cher, Centre-Val de Loire
Discover the best top things to do in Loir-et-Cher, France including Troglo Degusto, Chateau of Talcy, Chateau de Cheverny, ZooParc de Beauval, Chateau Royal de Blois, La Magnanerie, Chateau de Chambord, Chateau de Fougeres-sur-Bievre, Eglise Saint-Jacques-des-Guerets, Commanderie Templiere d'Arville.
Restaurants in Loir-et-Cher
1. Troglo Degusto
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 425 reviews
2. Chateau of Talcy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
Although built at the same time of the great castles in the Loire valley, Talcy remains untouched by the popular Italian style and its love of decoration. The wells, outhouses including press and dovecote and the garden all emphasize the rural nature of the estate. The castle has retained its interior decoration and furniture from the 18th century. Site with the "Outstanding Garden" label. Open: > 2nd May to 4th September: from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. > 5th September to 30th April: from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Last admission 1 hr before closing time. Closed: > Tuesdays from 1st October to 31st March. > 1st January, 1st May and 25th December. Admission fees: Adults : 5,50 €; Concessions (18 to 25) = 4 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups
3. Chateau de Cheverny
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,819 reviews
Come and discover the first private home to open its doors to the public in 1922. You will appreciate the splendour and delight of real life in a castle. The owners invite you to discover this fantastic and vivid heritage: from the botanical park to the magnificent interior of the Château; the hunting dog kennels to Tintin's exhibition and the gardens through to the forest. The Château displays a wonderful range of furniture and interior decoration, all of which are remarkably well preserved. The private apartments on the first floor convey the French ‘art de vivre’ Many treasures can be found at Cheverny like a 17th century Gobelin tapestry for example, on display in the Arms room or the Louis XIV chest of drawers in the Boulle style. And you may even spend the night in one of our modern flats with top of the range furniture !
Reviewed By AnaK648 - Mayaguez, Caribbean
Although we did not visit the extensive grounds, due to a stifling heat wave, there were various things to do for all ages. First, there is the feeding of the hounds, which is spectacular. Be careful, though, because the bars separating us from the dogs are wide enough for them to get their muzzles through. Sure enough, I got bitten! Not badly, and it did make the experience eventful. The chateau, which was used as a model for Captain Haddock’s chateau in the animated series, Tin Tin, has a dedicated space recreating several adventures that kids might enjoy, as it is interactive. There was also a special exhibit at the time, acknowledging the role of the chateau in transporting/hiding great works of art from the Louvre, etc., during the German occupation (WWII). The current owner, a Marquis, lives in one wing of the chateau, and there are photos of his wedding and other events, such as the visit of the British Queen Mother, in various rooms. There are also, of course, many portraits of ancestors and a variety of different décor that span centuries. We had lunch at the Café de l’Orangerie, which is beautiful, but the food is nothing special. A worth-while visit all in all.
4. ZooParc de Beauval
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16,141 reviews
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.
5. Chateau Royal de Blois
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,961 reviews
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. La Magnanerie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 381 reviews
Lovingly surrounded by nature, the troglodyte site of la Magnanerie de Bourré will amaze visitors longing for a different experience. Overlooking the Cher valley, this true paradise will leave no one untouched. Come and feel the serenity of a world made of galleries secretly hidden within a sunny hillside. Oh yes, some people are lucky enough to live there ... and it will be their pleasure to show you around : the old "tuffeau" galleries (where the Loire castles stones were quarried), the 17th century silkworm farm (learn all about silk production in the region and the rearing of silkworms) and the traditional cave dwellings (hear about everyday life inside the rock).Access to the site is by guided tour only. The hour-long visit is fun, educational and guided by one of the inhabitants. So, if you wonder why and how people still live "in there" nowadays : feel free to ask. Your host will be more than happy to explain. The tours can be offered both in French and English
7. Chateau de Chambord
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,668 reviews
Chambord is the emblem of the French Renaissance through Europe and the world. The Domain of Chambord is made up of the château, a village, farms and a wooded area. The domain of Chambord is completely enclosed within a wall, all 5,440 hectares of it. That’s the equivalent of the city of Paris! It is the largest enclosed forest in Europe. The entire site has been the property of the state since 1930; when the public estate was created, article 230 of the law dated 23 February 2005 stated that the possessions making up the domain were given over to it without restriction or exceptions.
Reviewed By 430fredg - Milton, Canada
Our group of travellers from Canada visited this incredible chateau on our recent tour of the Loire Valley. The Chateau de Chambord, one of the greatest architectural masterpieces of the Renaissance, is famous for its double-story staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci. The chateau is linked with its natural forest surroundings and its 5440 hectares, while the Domaine is the largest walled estate in Europe, thirty-two km of walls. The staircase involves two spiral stairs that turn in the same direction but never meet. It took between twenty and thirty years to finish the construction of the chateau-eighteen hundred people worked at building it. There are 282 chimneys, 77 staircases and 32 apartments for friends of the king Francois the first, and his court. Although king Francis was responsible for creating the concept of Chambord Chateau, he himself only spent 72 days in it, and the building was eventually completed by King Louis IV. Use the headsets provided, as there is a historical treasure trove in the numerous rooms. Also walk around the gardens, they are very colourful and visually stunning.
8. Chateau de Fougeres-sur-Bievre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
A small fortified castle built in the second half of the 15th century and the beginning of the 16th, Fougères with its machicolated entrance curtain and keep, is the perfect example of the art of rural buildings. All rooms in the château are opened to visitors in addition to the attics medieval garden. The castle's roofs are open for visits. Open: > 8th May to 10th September: from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. > 11th September to 7th May: from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Last admission 30 minutes before closing time. Closed: > Tuesdays from 11th September to 7th May. > 1st January, 1st May, 1st November, 11th November and 25th December. Admission fees: Adults : 5,50 €; Concessions (18 to 25) = 4 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups
9. Eglise Saint-Jacques-des-Guerets
10. Commanderie Templiere d'Arville
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
The commandery of Arville is one of the best preserved Knights Templar commanderies in France with its church and fortied porch (12th century), stables, tithe barn and dovecote (15th-16th centuries). The museum reveals the fascinating story of the Knights Templar and the Crusades. An immersive exhibition with 8 galleries oers you an interactive experience : it’s as if you were travelling to Jerusalem. Audioguides and exhibition notes in English are available to enhance your visit.
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