Visit Loir-et-Cher
With the chateaux at Chambord and Blois and the protected Loire Valley world heritage site, Loir-et-Cher is a key destination for anyone exploring the highlights of the Loire Valley
Selected places to visit in Loir-et-Cher
Loir-et-Cher sights and places to visit
The Loir-et-Cher department of France is in the centre of the Val de Loire (the section of the Loire Valley and river listed as a UNESCO world heritage site), around Blois and between Tours and Orleans.
The great attractions of the department are all splendid castles - Chateau de Blois, Chateau de Chambord (the most visited of all), Chateau Chaumont-sur-Loire and Chateau de Cheverny. Although these are among the finest and of the Loire Valley castles, there are many other less well known castles if that is not enough, including Talcy Chateau, a listed French National Monument.
The gentle pretty countryside of the region means it is also very popular for outdoor activities such as walking and cycling.
The marshy-forested area of Sologne falls largely in this department, and is also popular with hikers wanting to explore the landscape.
The Sologne features many small ponds and lakes, and a chance to discover some of the small villages of the Loir-et-Cher such as Chaumont-sur-Tharonne and Souvigny-en-Sologne.
The small village of Lavardin (west of Vendome) is another popular and attractive destination with visitors to Loir-et-Cher (see Loir River below).
Loir Valley
The Loir Valley (not to be confused with the more famous Loire Valley) is a popular route to follow as it flows east to west through the department and some of the highlights include:
- Vendome and its gothic style abbey and ruined castle
- Lavardin
- Nature trails through the Saint-Ouen Valley north of Vendome
- Villiers sur-Loir
- The Bonaventure Manor House and the Echoiseau Mill at Mazange
- Lunay
- Montoire-sur-le-Loire
- Roches-l'Eveque and its troglodyte habitations, also
- The village and troglodyte dwellings at Troo
- The gardens of La Possonniere Manor, at Couture-sur-Loir
You will discover other small villages, and plenty of river-based activities, as you follow the Loir downstream through Eure-et-Loire (and on into the Pays-de-la-Loire).
See a list of all Loir-et-Cher communes
Map of Loir-et-Cher
Page in French? See Loir-et-Cher (Francais)
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