City: Centre-Val de Loire
Top Things to do in Centre-Val de Loire
Top 10 Castles in Centre-Val de Loire, France
Centre-Val de Loire (French pronunciation: [sɑ̃tʁ val də lwaʁ], "Centre-Loire Valley") is one of the 18 administrative regions of France. It straddles the middle Loire Valley in the interior of the country. The administrative capital is Orléans, but the largest city is Tours.
Restaurants in Centre-Val de Loire
1. Chateau Royal d'Amboise
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,378 reviews
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.
2. 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.
3. Chateau de Maintenon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 743 reviews
4. 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.
5. Chateau de Villandry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,717 reviews
A monumental countryside villa surrounded by world-famous gardens, organized in the classic French Renaissance style.
Reviewed By jackychina2015 - Belfast, United Kingdom
I’ve always wanted to see Villandry and I wasn’t disappointed. We didn’t bother with the Chateau just wallowed in the world-famous gardens. They are huge yet intimate because they are divided into rooms and sections. The planting is masterful, the plants are immaculate and the whole visit was an experience. There is a suggested route which we ignored and regretted as we did it afterwards and it makes more sense. Lovely little garden shop selling plants and garden-related goodies. There is a crêperie just outside but we left our car in the (free) car park and had lunch on one of the many restaurants in the little village. It’s just a couple of minutes away on foot. Loved every minute.
6. 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.
7. Royal City of Loches
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 954 reviews
In the royal city, you can visit the dungeons and a royal lodge.
Reviewed By NeedToSeeItAll - Perth, Australia
It always surprises me how little attention Loches gets in terms of Loire Valley advertising on the international tourism scene, it is a truly magical medieval city that is beautiful, has some amazing history, and wonderful people. It is true that it does take a little digging to get all of the amazing details (I wish that there was a bit more organisation from the tourism team in terms of bringing the history to life) but really a great city.
8. Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,967 reviews
The Château of Azay-le-Rideau, masterpiece of the Renaissance. The Château of Azay-le-Rideau, built at the heart of Touraine under the patronage of François Ier, has all the charm of the Renaissance. Masterpiece of the 16th century architecture, it rises up on an island designed by the river Indre and is surrounded by a romantic 19th century park. The château has some prestigious historical decorations telling about its 4 centuries of history. It also has some sumptuous collections of items, tapestries and furniture. To be discovered : - On the ground floor : restoration of the 19th century decoration and atmosphere. - On the first floor : an immersion at the heart of the Renaissance, the great hall and its period furniture, as well as the restoration of a Renaissance chamber, whose walls are fully made of bullrushes braids. - The Pressoir (former press room), an interpretation center reachable by everyone in order to know more about the château. - The romantic park of 8ha with many points of view on the château and its water mirrors.
Reviewed By Bheathen
This is a lovely building with (of course) an interesting history, and offers plenty of explanatory material in English. Most of the chateau is open to the public. Apart from the main bedrooms and the huge rooms for entertaining, you can visit the attic level where the astonishing roof structure is on view.. The chateau, right on the river, is only metres from the village centre, and is surrounded by splendid trees and spacious parkland. Certainly well worth a visit.
9. Sainte-Chapelle de Champigny sur Veude
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By butchcassidysr
Maurice at our B&B helped us by calling the attendant a day or so ahead to schedule an appointment. The attendant met us right on time at the entrance gate and pointed us to the entrance of the Chapelle. We did not opt to tour the Chateau but focused on the Chapelle. Similar to Sainte Chapelle in Paris, this Chapelle was built to house relics of the passion of Christ by the Bourbons, the descendants of King Louis IX. There are sheets describing the glass and the history located in the Chapelle. The beautiful setting in the village of Champigny, the history and the remarkable stained glass depicting multiple layers of history make this Chapelle definitely worth visiting if you are in the area near Chinon.
10. La Forteresse de Montbazon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 844 reviews
Reviewed By jost338 - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Brilliant day out. The fort is small but has an interesting tour which once or twice a day is in English. It takes you through its history and into the dungeons, very entertaining but the key part of the visit is the medieval activities in the tents around the site. The staff are all in medieval clothes and give an excellent explanation in French and English, about what they are doing and allowing you to have a go at weaving, pottery, stone cutting, leather work, candle making, calligraphy, painting illuminated letters etc. As the you arrive you are given coins to use on these crafts and more can be purchased at the shop. There are also other things like the sword maker, blacksmith, shingle makers, coin makers, games, maths activities and foam swords to fight with. The best thing is the trebuchet which they fire after the tour at the fort. It's really interesting and lovely,to have a go st the crafts no matter what your age. Places to eat or have a picnic. Car park is at the bottom of the fort not far but uphill. Cost is 11.50 for adults which is much cheaper than other places we have been to. Definately recommend for anyone who likes to have a go at craft activities.
