City: Centre-Val de Loire
Top Things to do in Centre-Val de Loire
Top 10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day 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. Troglo Degusto
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 425 reviews
2. Cathedrale Saint-Gatien
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,090 reviews
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.
3. Hotel Groslot
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 391 reviews
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.
4. Cathedrale De Bourges
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,090 reviews
Reviewed By MattNys - Antwerp, Belgium
France being the walhalla of Cathedral lovers, if you have to choose a few, put Bourges at the top of your list. Beautiful city, fantastic Cathedral, I have never seen such a fine stained window art and there are so many windows to see. If you have the time, book a tour with a guide that knows the stories of each window, You will not be bored. If you don't have the time, just walk around in awe.
5. Palais Jacques-Coeur
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 852 reviews
The “Grant’Maison” of Jacques Cœur, financier to king Charles VII, was built in the mid-15th century and is one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic civic architecture in France. The relatively unadorned western facade, built on the Gallo-Roman town walls, contrasts starkly with the richly decorated eastern facade overlooking the street. The Palais Jacques Cœur is a fine example of the Flamboyant style of the late Middle Ages and its attention to the comfort of the inhabitants prefigures the great residences of the Renaissance. Open: > 2nd May to 30th June: from 9.30 a.m. to 12.15 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6.15 p.m. > 1st July to 31st August: from 9.45 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. > 1st to 30th April and 1st to 30th September: from 10 a.m. to 12.15 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. > 1st October to 31st March: from 9.30 a.m. to 12.15 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5.15 p.m. Last admission 1 hr before closing time. Closed: > 1st January, 1st May, 1st November, 11th November and 25th December. Admission fees: Adults : 7,50 €; Concessions (18 to 25) = 4,50 €; 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
Reviewed By darrylr561 - Royston, United Kingdom
A wonderful and interesting building in the heart of Bourges giving a fascinating insight to French history with some clear explanations about the background and history of the structure.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Chartres Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,907 reviews
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its high-Gothic art and architectural style.
Reviewed By djmmyv - Bishops Stortford, United Kingdom
Excellent examples of stain glass and possibly the tallest cathedral I have visited The town has a free light show through summer through to September that is unmissable
9. 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.
10. Cathedrale Ste-Croix
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,703 reviews
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.
