Orval tourism and travel guide

Photo is of Culan at 22 km from Orval

Culan Hotels & holiday rentals

Places to visit nearby

Orval Excursions & Activities

Car hire in France

Culan Hotels & holiday rentals

Orval Excursions & Activities

Visit Orval: highlights and tourist information

Orval is situated in the Cher department and Centre-Loire Valley region.

Below you can see some of the places that we have visited and reviewed and can recommend when you are sightseeing close to Orval in Centre-Loire Valley.

Popular places to visit nearby include Culan at 22 km and Herisson at 30 km.

Orval, France: places to visit and attractions

Note that all distances below are 'direct' and real driving distances will be greater!

Culan

at 22 km (direction south-west)

The castle at Culan is one of the most interesting in the quiet Cher...

See Culan guide

Herisson

at 30 km (direction south-east), in the Allier department

The ruined castle and the historic centre along the banks of the Aumance river...

See Herisson guide

Saint-Chartier

at 39 km (direction west), in the Indre department

Take a stroll through the grounds of the castle here in the quiet town...

See Saint-Chartier guide

Bourges Cathedral

Cathedral at 40 km (direction north-north-west)

The cathedral in Bourges is a 13th century building with remarkable stonework and impressive...

See Bourges Cathedral guide

La Chatre

at 40 km (direction west-south-west), in the Indre department

La Chatre is a small town and quick to explore - before setting off...

See La Chatre guide

Nohant-Vic

at 41 km (direction west), in the Indre department

The 18th century French manor house where George Sand lived is the main attraction...

See Nohant-Vic guide

Bourges

at 41 km (direction north-north-west)

Although Bourges is known for its stunning cathedral, it also has a substantial medieval...

See Bourges guide

Bourges Palais Jacques-Coeur

at 41 km (direction north-north-west)

The Palais Jacques-Coeur is a charming medieval palace with impressive rooms and fireplaces in...

See Bourges Palais Jacques-Coeur guide

Montlucon

at 44 km (direction south-south-east), in the Allier department

Periods of prosperity in the 12th, 15th and 19th centuries have each contributed monuments...

See Montlucon guide

Issoudun

at 45 km (direction west-north-west), in the Indre department

There are few important monuments here in Issoudun, but we enjoyed a stroll around...

See Issoudun guide

Apremont-sur-Allier

Most Beautiful Village at 50 km (direction east-north-east)

The story of the renewal of Apremont-sur-Allier is fascinating, and leads us to the...

See Apremont-sur-Allier guide

Mehun-sur-Yevre

at 51 km (direction north-north-west)

The castle and the 11th century Collegiale Notre-Dame are among several sights of importance...

See Mehun-sur-Yevre guide

... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Cher

Find Culan hotels & holiday rentals

Reserve excursions near Orval

Map of places to visit near Orval

Markets in and near Orval

• Saint-Amand-Montrond: market Wednesday & Saturday (2km)
• Dun-sur-Auron: market Saturday (19km)
• Lignieres: market Monday (23km)
• Chateaumeillant: market Friday (28km)
• Saint-Florent-sur-Cher: market Friday & (35km)
• Lurcy-Levis: market Monday (35km)
• Sancoins: market Wednesday (36km)
• Cosne-d'Allier: market Tuesday (39km)
• Domerat: market Friday (41km)
• Bourges: market Wednesday & Thursday & Sunday & Saturday & Friday (41km)

More information about Orval, Loire Valley

Tourist attractions near Orval, France

What to do at Orval? Some places with official tourist classifications and other places of interest to visit nearby that should provide inspiration if you are visiting Orval.

National Monuments

• George Sand House (40km)
• Bourges Cathedral (40km)
• Palace Jacques Coeur (41km)

Recommended detour towns (fr: plus beau détour)

• La Chatre (40km)

Churches and religious monuments

• Abbaye Notre Dame de Noirlac et Saint Etienne Prieuré (Bruere-Allichamps) (3km)
• Abbaye de La Celle (La Celle) (6km)
• Eglise de Saint Martin (Ineuil) (15km)
• Collegiale Saint Etienne (Dun-sur-Auron) (19km)
• Eglise de Saint-Georges (Saint-Jeanvrin) (23km)
• Eglise de Saint Germain (Blet) (27km)
• Eglise de Saint Martin (Plaimpied-Givaudins) (31km)
• Eglise de Saint André (Jussy-Champagne) (32km)
• Eglise de Saint Martin (Ygrande) (43km)
• Eglise de Saint Georges (Bourbon-l'Archambault) (47km)

Remarkable gardens

• Les jardins artistiques de Drulon (10km)
• Jardins du prieuré Notre-Dame-d'Orsan (22km)
• Jardins du château d'Ainay-le-Vieil (38km)
• Jardin du domaine de George Sand (41km)
• Les Prés Fichaux (41km)
• Parc floral d'Apremont (48km)

Protected historical centre (fr: secteur sauvegardé)

(see also historical French towns)

• Bourges (41km)

Sites of natural beauty

• Foret de Troncais (21km)

Towns of Art and history

• Montlucon (44km)

Villages d'etape

(recommended place to break a long journey)

• Montmarault (58km)

Villages in bloom 4* (fr: ville fleurie)

• Saint-Amand-Montrond (2km)
• Issoudun (44km)

Geography and distances

Orval is in the center of France at 41 kilometres from Bourges, the department capital (general information: Orval is 237 kilometres from Paris).

Getting here

Most visitors fly into Paris and rent a car or drive from one of the channel ports such as Caen or Le Havre, a drive af about 2-3 hours. For driving distances to Orval from anywhere in France see driving distances and route planner.

We have 11 other places listed as being close (less than kilometres from ): Arcomps, Bouzais, Bruere-Allichamps, Colombiers, Drevant, La Celle, La Groutte, Nozieres, Orcenais, Saint-Amand-Montrond and Saint-Georges-de-Poisieux.

This page in French: Visiter Orval