Local Tourism Notes

Share | Print

Local Tourism Notes

The staff at most tourist offices are able to speak English. You will find them very helpful with all tourism questions as well as questions on public transport and more. If you're in need of some help, they're always worth asking.

Tourist Offices are also able to provide general information on their area, much of it as appropriate to the resident as to the visitor. If you want to know about fairs, markets, concerts and other events in your area the Tourist Office is bound to have information, brochures and flyers.

• To find listings of all local tourist offices in the region, see The AngloFILE: Centre Val-de-Loire Tourist Offices & Information 
• See the website of the French Government Tourism (in English).
• Regional Tourism authorities have comprehensive websites in English: see here

Where To Stay

The Centre Val-de-Loire region offers a wide variety of accommodation, with options ranging from camping to Bed & Breakfast accommodation to stays in luxury châteaux and private gîtes.

• See the INFOrmation Page on Holiday Accommodation Options to find out more about the type of accommodation available in France 
• See The AngloFILE for Hotels & Holiday Accommodation 

Airports in and Around the Val-de-Loire Centre Region

• To find out about the airports serving the Loire region, flight information, access or lost luggage, see AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: Airports Centre Val-de-Loire
• To find out about airlines flying to the Loire region see this page of the AngloFILE: Airlines, Scheduled Flights & Charter

Châteaux of the Loire Valley

Both the Pays-de-la-Loire and Centre Val-de-Loire are famous for the Renaissance châteaux that line the river Loire and its tributaries. Many have been restored to their former regal glory and the gardens, some museums in themselves, have lent the area the name Garden of France. Centre is home to castles Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry and Loches among others.

• See website Castles France

History in the Loire Valley

The Centre Val-de-Loire region has a rich history. Orléans, once the intellectual capital of France, was also where heroine Jeanne d'arc (Joan of Arc) led the French army to defeat the English in the Battle of Orléans during the Hundred Years War. The city now has a museum dedicated to her memory; Maison Jeanne d'Arc was built on the site where she stayed in 1429. 

The many châteaux have been put to numerous uses over the years, Chenonceau was used as a military hospital during the First World War and escape route from the Nazis in the Second World War when the River Cher formed the frontier between "free" Vichy France and Nazi occupied France. Amboise Château is the resting place of Leonardo da Vinci, in the Chapelle St-Hubert perched on the Ramparts while the Clos Lucé museum displays models of the inventions that were noted in his sketchbooks.

The towns of Amboise, Blois, Chinon, Orléans, Saumur, and Tours are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Food & Drink

The fertile land of the region means fresh vegetables are plentiful and much is sold at local produce markets. 

AOC accredited Crottin de Chavignol is a goats' cheese produced exclusively in the Loire area. 

The Loire Valley is one of the most important wine regions in France. Many vineyards will sell directly to the public and allow "cellar door" tasting Some even have wine museums and demonstrations of the wine-making process from the grape to the bottle. Some of the best-known wines include, Saumur, Anjou, Vouvray, Touraine, Chinon and Pouilly-fumé.

• See The AngloFILE Vineyard & Wine Tastings

The Hotel Tatin in the town of Lamotte-Beuvron is the home of the well-know apple pie, Tarte Tatin, first created by accident, it soon became feature of the kitchen. 

Regional Tourist Offices

Regional tourism authorities have comprehensive websites in English providing much useful information. 

The main Tourist offices are:

Cher (18)

• Comité Départemental de Tourisme du Cher
  At: Maison Départementale du Tourisme, 5 rue de Séraucourt, 18000 Bourges
  Tel: 02 48 48 00 10
  Fax: 02 48 48 00 20
  e-mail
  Website

Eure-et-Loir (28)

• Comité Départemental du Tourisme d'Eure-&-Loir
  At: 10 rue Docteur Maunoury
  Tel: 02 37 84 01 00
  Fax: 02 37 36 36 39
  e-mail
  Website

Indre (36)

• Comité Départemental de Tourisme
  At: 1 rue Saint-Martin, 36003 Châteauroux cedex
  Tel: 02 54 07 36 36
  Fax: 02 54 22 31 21
  e-mail
  Website

Indre-et-Loire (37)

• Comité Départemental du Tourisme de Touraine
  At: 30 rue de la Préfecture, 37032 Tours Cedex
  Tel: 02 47 31 47 48
  Fax: 02 47 31 42 76
  e-mail
  Website

Loire-et-Cher (41)

• Comité Départemental du Tourisme de Loir-et-Cher
  At: 5 rue de la Voûte du Château, 41005 Blois Cedex
  Tel: 02 54 57 00 41
  Fax: 02 54 57 00 47
  e-mail
  Website

Loiret (45)

• Comité Départementalde Tourisme du Loiret
  At: 8, rue d'Escures, 45000 Orléans
  Tel: 02 38 78 04 04
  Fax: 02 38 77 04 12
  e-mail
  Website

Selected tourism websites:

• Centre Val-de-Loire Tourist Offices (in The AngloFILE)
• French Ministry of Tourism The facts about tourism in France (in French)
• Maison de la France International guide to tourism in France
• Tourism in France
• French Web Portals (in The AngloFILE)
• Centre Val-de-Loire Web Portals (in The AngloFILE)