The 10 Best Things to do in Loire Valley, Centre-Val de Loire

December 25, 2021 Brandee Mangan

Old world villages and storybook chateaux bedeck the Loire, once fought over by Gauls, Romans, Visigoths and even Attila the Hun. Rent bikes and roll through the lush valley, visiting fortresses in Amboise and Angers, UNESCO-designated Chartres Cathedral and the Gothic cathedral in Nantes. Musee Jules Vernes houses replicas of inventions designed by the futuristic author. Pay respects to other former residents: the Romans in Tours, the cave dwellers of Touraine, and the liberator of Orleans, Joan of Arc.
Restaurants in Loire Valley

1. Cathedrale Saint-Gatien

Place de la Cathedrale, 37000, Tours France +33 2 47 71 21 00 http://www.paroisse-cathedrale-tours.catholique.fr/patrimoine-visitez-la-cathedrale/cathedrale-saint-gatien
Excellent
59%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,090 reviews

Cathedrale Saint-Gatien

Reviewed By 590JackK - Lebanon, United States

While there are many sites to behold in the city of Tours, be sure to visit this cathedral. It took four hundred years to build, and was listed as an historic monument in 1862. Everything about it is astonishing to see, from the portals of the facade to the stained glass windows. The two towers each hold something significant in them: the north the royal stairs; the south the cathedral's bells. Aside from other Parisian-style gothic architecture, there are also the tombs of Charles VIII and Anne de Bretagne's children, all in the south chapel. There are plentiful cathedrals to visit when visiting this region; I'd make this one of them.

2. Chateau Royal d'Amboise

Montee de l'Emir Abd El Kader Montée de l'Emir Abd-el-Kader, 37400, Amboise France +33 2 47 57 00 98 [email protected] http://www.chateau-amboise.com
Excellent
50%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,378 reviews

Chateau Royal d'Amboise

With the dawning of the Renaissance, the mighty medieval fortress of Amboise gave way to a royal residence, during the reigns of the Kings of France Charles VIII and François I. The Court, a large number of men and women of letters and European artists, stayed here on invitation from the sovereigns, one example being Leonardo da Vinci who lies here in peace in the Château’s Chapel.This place of high renown in the History of France boasts an exceptional collection of Gothic and Renaissance furniture illustrating the artistic finery of the first French Renaissance. After a visit of the Royal House and the impressive Cavalry Towers, the walk continues in the magnificent panoramic gardens overlooking the Loire river.

Reviewed By 70MikeMM - San Francisco, United States

Everything about this beautiful chateau is impressive - the setting on the cliffs above the river, the gardens, the staterooms, and the small chapel with the grave of Leonardo DaVinci. It’s an unforgettable experience.

3. Le Chateau du Clos Luce - Parc Leonardo da Vinci

2 rue du clos Luce, 37400, Amboise France +33 2 47 57 00 73 [email protected] http://www.vinci-closluce.com
Excellent
53%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,037 reviews

Le Chateau du Clos Luce - Parc Leonardo da Vinci

At the invitation of Francis I, Leonardo da Vinci came to live at the Château du Clos Lucé and stayed here for the last three years of his life, devoting himself to perfecting his inventions. Leonardo was prolific and inspired, working as an engineer, architect and theatrical director, organising lavish festivities for the Court. At his residence 300 metres from the Château Royal, he drew up plans for a model château for Francis I in Romorantin and designed the double-helix open staircase in the Château de Chambord.The Château du Clos Lucé is dedicated to showing and explaining to the public the great knowledge acquired by the Italian Maestro.

Reviewed By 76marab - Green Mountain, United States

This wonderful look at the life and accomplishments of Leonardo Da Vinci as seen through a day in the life at his home (for the last three years of his life) Clos du Lucé is so lifelike it feels like he might be back for lunch. Period music is playing, his writing, experiments and painting supplies are all strewn about and admits to it all are little vignettes telling you more about his inventions and life. Many miniature models exists of his prototypes and as an added bonus, there are animated videos showing via computer graphics how some of the larger scale ones would have or did work. Life size models on campus as well. Great fun for all ages. Restaurant and gif5 shop on site at this park like setting.

4. Hotel Groslot

Place de l'Etape, 45000, Orleans France +33 2 38 79 22 30 http://www.tourisme-orleansmetropole.com/
Excellent
46%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 391 reviews

Hotel Groslot

Reviewed By Tanmouss - Oslo, Norway

Its charm comes from the bricks on the facade, the woodwork inside and particularly the painted ceilings and walls. Some precious furniture to be seen as well. The visit is free of charge and takes a few minutes.

5. Chateau de Chambord

le Chateau, 41250, Chambord France +33 2 54 50 40 00 [email protected] http://www.chambord.org/fr/
Excellent
55%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,668 reviews

Chateau de Chambord

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.

6. Musee des Blindes

1043 route de Fontevraud, 49400, Saumur France +33 2 41 83 69 95 [email protected] http://museedesblindes.fr/
Excellent
64%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,336 reviews

Musee des Blindes

Reviewed By ianj776 - Usk, United Kingdom

Situated near Saumur in the Loire Valley is this superb display of armoured fighting vehicles, some in full working order including the formidable Tiger 2. there are some 300 vehicles on display -all under cover, well presented and maintained.

7. Cathedrale Ste-Croix

Pl. Ste-Croix Place Sainte-Croix, 45000, Orleans France +33 2 38 24 05 05 http://www.tourisme-orleansmetropole.com/
Excellent
59%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,703 reviews

Cathedrale Ste-Croix

Reviewed By LiamBateman - Greater London, United Kingdom

This is an amazing cathedral and very interesting to visit. Plus during the summer check out the amazing light and sound show at night.

8. Le Cadre Noir

av Ecole Nationale D Equitation, 49400, Saumur France +33 2 41 53 50 60 http://www.ifce.fr/cadre-noir/
Excellent
64%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,140 reviews

Le Cadre Noir

Reviewed By 959billm - Berwick upon Tweed, United Kingdom

We had a fantastic look around last week - a really knowledgeable guide who spoke excellent English and took a great deal of time to discuss horses with my granddaughter who is a very proficient and experienced dressage rider It's a absolute must place to visit if you are in the area even if you are not a Horsey person

9. Musee du Compagnonnage

8 rue Nationale, 37000, Tours France +33 2 47 21 62 20 http://www.museecompagnonnage.fr
Excellent
62%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 614 reviews

Musee du Compagnonnage

10. Place Plumereau

Place Plumereau, 37000, Tours France http://www.placeplumereau.com
Excellent
49%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,392 reviews

Place Plumereau

Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia

Place Plumereau is a beautiful and rather picturesque area to visit. It is the centre of the old quarters of Tours and it offers some surprising appeal. The architecture of the buildings is rather interesting and many look quite old, but I am not sure how old they would be! The square is full of cafes and restaurants, and it would be easy to just sit at any of them and enjoy a cup of coffee or a meal. However visitors should really be very careful with their choice!

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