City: Centre-Val de Loire
Top Things to do in Centre-Val de Loire
What to do and see in Centre-Val de Loire, France: The Best Places and Tips
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. Vinitour Centre-Loire
Overall Ratings
5 based on 137 reviews
Wine Tours in the vineyard and winery around Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, Menetou-Salon...and wine tastings "Discovery of Upper-Loire wines".Circuits oenotouristiques autour de Sancerre et soirees degustation "Decouverte des vins Centre-Loire"...
Reviewed By Heidi L - Somerset West, South Africa
Laure and her team are very knowledgeable and informative. The tours are on-time, cover a vast area with spectacular views and even a tour of some private cellars. We were a large group of 24 from South Africa, and Laura gave us tours over 4 days within the Sancerre, Pouilly-Sur-Loire and Marselles-Les-Aubigny regions. The highlight was a visit to the Chateau Ladoucette. We got to meet some of the wine makers, see the harvest taking place and even witness the process as the grapes arrive at the processing plant. Laure even stopped along the way to show us the vineyards and explain the difference between areas and terroir (soil) and how it makes a difference to the taste of the wine. We were takent to a high-quality restaurant, Le Chat, who served us amazing local food and wine. All in all, one of the best experiences I've had in my life. Laure is witty and charming and we could not have asked for a better tour guide, or a more fun and informative tour. I highly recommend Vinitour if you are in the area!
2. Chateau Gaudrelle, Vins de Vouvray
Overall Ratings
5 based on 130 reviews
Chateau Gaudrelle is a family-run exploitation of 50 acres. We produced Vouvray wine since 1931. You are welcome to visit our cellars (cave) and to enjoy a commented wine tasting.Alexandre Monmousseau produce still and sparkling Vouvrays which are now recognised as being amongst the very finest of the appellation.
Reviewed By Kevin M
I write this a few months after our epic tour of the Chateau Guadrelle. I had the pleasure of visiting this winery during a driving trip through some of the smaller cities surrounding Paris and, wanting to bring my parents to a winery around Tours where we were staying, I looked on Trip Advisor to see which had the best ratings. The Chateau Guadrelle kept coming up for its exceptional tours and the warmth expressed to their guests. I knew this was the place for us.
I'd been on countless winery tours as a native of California, growing up near the Napa Valley, and naively thought I knew a thing or two about wine and wineries. We swung by the Chateau and were greeted by both a friendly large furry dog and Charles, our host. Charles cordially showed us around the grounds, brought us into the amazing caverns underneath the mountain, and explained in great detail every part of the process. Ironically, while we were told were getting the shorter tour, it was was the most detailed and comprehensive wine tours of my life.
Moreover, the level of passion and love he had for his craft was unbelievable. It's quite rare to see this excitement and passion for one's work expressed in a human being and it was a true honor to witness this in Charles and his colleagues at the Chateau Guandrelle. Charles and his staff spent a solid hour with us speaking to us about the process of the wine they made, about the philosophy of their wines, and about French wine making in general and it's importance in modern French culture. The talk was both inspiring and educational and we all walked away with an experience that will be forever planted amongst our best memories. I truly appreciate this winery and look forward to buying their excellent wines online and hopefully, one day, going back.
3. Troglo Degusto
Overall Ratings
5 based on 303 reviews
Reviewed By HildaMD - Gainesville, FL
We were looking for a wine tasting experience but found so much more at Troglo Degusto! We arrived after the tours were done for the day but Stephane and his family were still there and they took care of us. We met his brother, sister in law, and nephews. They were all so nice! Stephane took us on an abbreviated tour since it was after closing time, but it was still extremely interesting. After the tour of the cave network we had the full wine tasting experience with some amazing appetizers. The salami made by his uncle was out of this world! After the tour, when we asked how much to pay, he said to pay whatever we felt it was worth since he couldn't give us the whole tour!! What a nice guy! We had so much fun and he was so accommodating and funny and helpful! We bought some wine from him and after we paid for wine and tour he added some more wine because he said we had given him too much. The regular tour has a set price which I don't know how much it is but whatever it is its worth it!!! Would definitely recommend and would do it again in a heartbeat!
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its high-Gothic art and architectural style.
Reviewed By David M - Vero Beach, Florida
I'm not sure that the bright walls and sculptures are necessarily to everyone's taste, but the appearance of the nave and choir is now very different from what it must have been. It's worth a visit for anyone interested in Gothic interiors. I was impressed, favorably.
I visited on a dull and drizzly day, not the best for enjoying the Cathedral's famous medieval stained glass. It was also not the best weather for photography of the exterior. The Cathedral's rather simple west (front) facade is in marked contrast to the much more sculptural front of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris.
5. Cathedrale St-Etienne
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Louis M - Naples, Italy
Of course cathedrals in France are a dime a dozen but this one has an incredible set of red-blue-purple painted and stained glass windows, plus a tomb and a tower to ascend. Check out the meridian if you are there at noon and set your watch by the sun on the floor.
6. Chateau de Chenonceau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Beautiful country villa surrounded by a moat and inspired by the Italian Renaissance.
Reviewed By HarpreetsWanderlust - Nairobi, Kenya
This has to be my favourite castle in the Loire Valley. This beautiful white castle reminds me of a fairy story, with its turrets, towers, windows and balconies, and its most notable feature: it is built across the River Cher, with large archways straddling the river.
I would recommend visiting the Castle a few hours before closing time, as this is when the crowds have disappeared and you have the place almost to yourself and can truly take the time to appreciate the beauty of the place without being thronged by crowds.
We wandered around the various rooms and marvelled at all the décor, and managed to take some beautiful pictures in the grand ballroom that straddles the River Cher, with its black and white floor with no people in them! We also spent some time ambling in the beautifully curated Gardens, and were lucky enough to get some pictures of Hot Air Balloons over the Castle in the evening as well. Check the website for opening times, and allow at least 2.5 to 3 hours to discover the Castle at a leisurely place. We went in September and so the castle was open until 7:30 pm, and allowed us an additional 30 minutes before we had to exit. Tickets cost 14 Euro per person and come with a leaflet guide which has a lot of useful information about the various rooms and Gardens. You can also get an audio guide however we didn't het one and managed to tour the place fine without it. You can also book tickets online however I do not think this allows you to skip the queue, but if you go a couple of hours to closing, the queues are pretty much non existent. This is a castle that I would put at the top of my list of Chateux in the Loire Valley because it certainly is the most memorable one I saw!
7. Chateau de Villandry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
A monumental countryside villa surrounded by world-famous Gardens, organized in the classic French Renaissance style.
Reviewed By JohnGalt2 - Oxnard, California
After seeing this chateau on a travel Television show we were more interested seeing the extensive Gardens than the chateau. For this visit, we bought a Gardens only pass. The Gardens here were magnifique. It was beautiful photographing the chateau through the lavender in the Gardens.
8. La Forteresse du Faucon Noir
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 579 reviews
Reviewed By Wcfs2011
Visiting some chateau and stopped off here. A great castle with lots to do and see. First time I had ever seen a trebuchet fired. They were lobbing water balloons at the keep. (Don't think Historic Scotland would allow that).
It is well laid out and lots of young visitors were having a fantastic time.
It's set on a hill outside the town so watch out for the parking signs. Well worth going to see!
9. Parc Oriental de Maulevrier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 544 reviews
Reviewed By Escutcheon - Pouance, France
Take a peaceful contemplative stroll in a Japanese garden with extensive vistas across the lake. Huge Koi carp and intriguing trees together with water features and monuments.
Access via a tunnel under the road from the free car park across the road from the Town Hall.
There is also a café and shop selling food and plants.
10. Parc Floral d'Apremont
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 239 reviews
Enter into the magic of this garden and let yourself be charmed by the colored and scented festival of the many varieties and species of trees, plants and flowers from all over the world. Your fairytale walk will be punctuated by Waterfalls, buildings and invitations to travel and to discover the talent of its fanciful designer, the great traveller and nature lover, Gilles de Brissac. The Park has been awarded the "Jardin Remarquable" label by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication.
Reviewed By Trevor C - Bangor, United Kingdom
The floral park is a wonderland of scent and colour. As you stroll around, you will see a splendid variety of trees and flowers. Open every day from late March to late September.
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