Loire Valley places to visit and attractions
Below you can explore some of the most popular highlights and places of interest in the Loire Valley region. See also our Loire Valley travel guide.
Amboise (Indre-et-Loire)
Although it is the castle that attracts visitors to Amboise, you will also enjoy exploring the main square and old streets elsewhere in the small town See guide
Apremont-sur-Allier (Cher)
The story of the renewal of Apremont-sur-Allier is fascinating, and leads us to the 'most beautiful village' and Castle Park that we see today See guide
Argenton-sur-Creuse (Indre)
There are several churches of interest here in Argenton-sur-Creuse, and a very pretty walk along the banks of the Creuse river See guide
Aubigny-sur-Nere (Cher)
It is the multi-turreted castle and the Scottish connection that explain the popularity of Aubigny-sur-Nère See guide
Azay-le-Rideau (Indre-et-Loire)
The village of Azay-le-Rideau is best known for its castle but also has a pleasant centre with a historic church and mill to explore See guide
Basilica of Saint-Martin in Tours (Indre-et-Loire)
The basilica Saint-Martin is an imposing neo-byzantine church in the town of Tours See guide Advertisement
Beaugency (Loiret)
A small town on the banks of the Loire River, Beaugency squeezes a remarkable number of interesting sights in a small space! See guide
Bellegarde (Loiret)
Bellegarde is a small traditional town with an atractive moated castle in the centre See guide
Blois (Loir-et-Cher)
The town of Blois, with its castle, cathedral, extensive historic centre and other monuments is one of our favourite Loire Valleyt towns See guide
Bourges (Cher)
Although Bourges is known for its stunning cathedral, it also has a substantial medieval centre and the Palais Jacques-Coeur among its many places of interest See guide
Bourges Cathedral (Cher)
The cathedral in Bourges is a 13th century building with remarkable stonework and impressive stained glass windows See guide
Bourges Palais Jacques-Coeur (Cher)
The Palais Jacques-Coeur is a charming medieval palace with impressive rooms and fireplaces in the heart of Bourges See guide
Brenne Regional Natural Park (Indre)
This quiet region of small lakes and fields is a perfect place for cycling on peaceful lanes See guide
Briare (Loiret)
With the Loire River and the Canal de Briare crossing in the centre of Briare it is not surprising that water based activities are important here See guide
Candes-Saint-Martin (Indre-et-Loire)
In the village of Candes-Saint-Martin, a 'most beautiful village in France', you can see the Vienne river, a medieval collegiale church and a lovely viewpoint See guide Advertisement
Candes-Saint-Martin collegiate church (Indre-et-Loire)
The collegiate church of Candes-Saint-Martin has numerous medieval statues incorporated in the facade and porch See guide
Cathedral of Sainte-Croix, Orleans (Loiret)
The carvings and grandeur of the western facade are the highlight of the 17th century cathedral in Orleans See guide
Chartres (Eure-et-Loir)
Although most famous for its cathedral, you will also find plenty to explore elsewhere in the town of Chartres See guide
Chartres Cathedral (Eure-et-Loir)
The 13th century cathedral in Chartres is generally considered to be one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in the world See guide
Chateau d'Amboise (Indre-et-Loire)
The Chateau d'Amboise is a castle with impressive gardens and a lovely view across the rooftops of Amboise See guide
Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau (Indre-et-Loire)
Not the most luxurious or largest castle in the region, it is the beauty and waterside location that gives the Chateau d'Azay-le Rideau its special charm See guide
Chateau d'Ussé (Indre-et-Loire)
The imposing Chateau d'Usse, next to the Loire, is an imposing medieval-renaissance castle surrounded by gardens and park See guide
Chateau de Blois (Loir-et-Cher)
One of the most impressive of the Loire castles, the Chateau de Blois is best known for its double helix renaissance staircase See guide
Chateau de Chambord (Loir-et-Cher)
The largest castle in the Loire Valley, Chateau de Chambord exceeds all expectations with its grandeur - despite being built as a hunting lodge and rarely occupied! See guide
Chateau de Chaumont (Loir-et-Cher)
The small village of Chaumont-sur-Loire is dominated by the Chateau de Chaumont, one of the largest Loire Valley castles and with a famous annual International Garden Festival See guide
Chateau de Chenonceau (Indre-et-Loire)
The perfectly lovely Chateau-de-Chenonceau includes a renaissance gallery across the river and gardens designed by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis See guide
Chateau de Cheverny (Loir-et-Cher)
Cheverny Castle is perhaps the most opulently furnished of the Loire castles, and also has very lovely gardens See guide
Chateau de Chinon (Indre-et-Loire)
Château de Chinon retains more medieval elements than most Loire Valley castles See guide
Chateau de Clos Lucé at Amboise (Indre-et-Loire)
The Chateau de Clos-Lucé was home to Leonardo da Vinci and you can visit the house and also see recreations of many of his inventions See guide
Chateau de Langeais (Indre-et-Loire)
Château de Langeais is a medieval-renaissance castle with nicely furnished rooms and the oldest castle keep in France See guide
Chateau de Valencay (Indre)
The renaissance style castle and formal gardens make the Chateau de Valencay among the most interesting in the Loire See guide
Chateau de Villandry (Indre-et-Loire)
The rooms at Chateau de Villandry can be explored, but it is the world famous French style gardens here that will hold your attention the longest See guide
Chateau du Rivau (Indre-et-Loire)
One of the more modest castles in the region, both the Chateau de Rivau and its associated gardens are very pleasant to explore See guide
Chateaudun (Eure-et-Loir)
Both the castle and the town along the Loir River make Chateaudun an enjoyable destination See guide
Chateauroux (Indre)
A little remote from the main tourist routes, Chateauroux is quite a sprawling town but has some sites of interest in its historic centre See guide
Chinon (Indre-et-Loire)
As well as the castle, Chinon has a very impressive medieval centre to explore and lovely river views See guide
Crissay-sur-Manse (Indre-et-Loire)
Explore the lovely stone houses and narrow streets in the tiny village of Crissay-sur-Manse See guide
Culan (Cher)
The castle at Culan is one of the most interesting in the quiet Cher department See guide
Domaine Royal de Château Gaillard (Indre-et-Loire)
The Domaine Royal de Château Gaillard in Amboise is the first Renaissance manor house in France, newly restored and surrounded by lovely gardens See guide
Gargilesse-Dampierre (Indre)
Gargilesse-Dampierre is a very small village, but also very pretty and in a lovely setting. Don't miss the frescoes in the church crypt! See guide
Gien (Loiret)
To the east of the main Loire Valley, the view across the bridge to the castle and town of Gien is very atractive See guide
Issoudun (Indre)
There are few important monuments here in Issoudun, but we enjoyed a stroll around the old town near the 'White Tower' See guide
La Chatre (Indre)
La Chatre is a small town and quick to explore - before setting off to discover the other castles and countryside nearby See guide
Langeais (Indre-et-Loire)
Langeais is a small town with a pretty town centre, best known for the castle in the town See guide
Lavardin (Loir-et-Cher)
With a river and ancient bridge below and an ancient castle above Lavardin, it is an exceptionally pretty little village See guide
Loches (Indre-et-Loire)
Numerous historic monuments make the citadel in Loches a very interesting place to visit See guide
Mehun-sur-Yevre (Cher)
The castle and the 11th century Collegiale Notre-Dame are among several sights of importance in Mehun-sur-Yevre See guide
Montargis (Loiret)
With more than 130 bridges across the numerous canals and rivers in Montargis, it is the scenery along these waterways that is the highlight here See guide
Montresor (Indre-et-Loire)
On the Indrois river, it is the quaint old town, the castle and the collegiale church that will be the focus of your visit to the pretty village of Montresor See guide
Nogent-le-Rotrou (Eure-et-Loir)
Within the Perche Regional Natural Park, in Nogent-le-Rotrou you can discover the castle and other ancient monuments See guide
Nohant-Vic (Indre)
The 18th century French manor house where George Sand lived is the main attraction in the village of Nohant-Vic See guide
Orleans (Loiret)
The large town of Orleans has a great deal to recommend it: a famous cathedral, an extensive old town, a riverside promenade, and some lovely gardens nearby See guide
Parc Floral de la Source, Orleans (Loiret)
The Parc Floral de la Source is an extensive park to the south of Orleans that includes the source of the Loiret river See guide
Saint-Benoit-du-Sault (Indre)
The unspoiled medieval streets in the 'most beautiful village' of Saint-Benoit-de-Sault quickly take you back several hundred years in time See guide
Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire Abbey (Loiret)
Fans of romanesque architecture will appreciate the many period features in the 12th century Abbey of Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire See guide
Saint-Chartier (Indre)
Take a stroll through the grounds of the castle here in the quiet town of Saint-Chartier See guide
Sancerre (Cher)
The pretty village of Sancerre is best known for the famous wines of the same name produced nearby - and to be samlped in the village! See guide
Tavant (Indre-et-Loire)
Tavant is a small village but a visit to se the murals in the church is recommended when you are nearby See guide
Tours (Indre-et-Loire)
Tours is a large important town with numerous monuments, gardens and medieval buildings, and is also well placed to explore the west of the Loire Valley See guide
Tours Cathedral and La Psalette Cloisters (Indre-et-Loire)
The la Psalette cloister and the cathedral of Tours together make a very impressive religious monument with various architectural styles See guide
Valencay (Indre)
The castle is the main attraction in Valencay, but we also suggest a visit to the Museum de l'Automobile and a stroll along the river See guide
Vendome (Loir-et-Cher)
Now listed as a 'town of art and history', Vendome retains many monuments from its active past despite extensive wartime damage See guide
Yevre-le-Chatel (Loiret)
The walk along the Rimarden river, the traditional charm and the ruined castle all contributed to Yevre-le-Chatel being listed as a 'most beautiful village in France' See guideFor more information see the Loire Valley guide
Tourist attractions to visit in Loire Valley
The following sites have received official "tourist classifications"...
Aquarium
Aquarium du Val-de-Loire
UNESCO world heritage sites
Chartres Cathedral: See tourist guide
Neuvy-Saint-Sépulchre collegiale St Etienne (monuments on French pilgrim routes)
Villages classified as "most beautiful villages"
Apremont-sur-Allier: See tourist guide
Candes-Saint-Martin: See tourist guide
Crissay-sur-Manse: See tourist guide
Lavardin: See tourist guide
Montresor: See tourist guide
Saint-Benoit-du-Sault: See tourist guide
National Monuments
Bouges-le-Chateau Castle
Bourges Cathedral: See tourist guide
Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau: See tourist guide
Chateaudun: See tourist guide
Cloisters of la Psalette: See tourist guide
Fougeres-sur-Bievre Chateau
George Sand House
Palace Jacques Coeur: See tourist guide
Talcy Chateau
Towns classified as Recommended Detours
Beaugency: See tourist guide
Chateaudun: See tourist guide
La Chatre: See tourist guide
Loches: See tourist guide
Mehun-sur-Yevre: See tourist guide
Montargis: See tourist guide
Nogent-le-Rotrou: See tourist guide
Sancerre: See tourist guide
Valencay: See tourist guide
Secteur Sauvegardé (protected historical town centre)
Amboise: See tourist guide
Blois: See tourist guide
Bourges: See tourist guide
Chartres: See tourist guide
Chinon: See tourist guide
Loches: See tourist guide
Richelieu: See tourist guide
Tours: See tourist guide
Towns of Art and History
Blois: See tourist guide
Bourges: See tourist guide
Chinon: See tourist guide
Loches: See tourist guide
Orleans: See tourist guide
Tours: See tourist guide
Vendome: See tourist guide
Ville d'etape
Eguzon-Chantome
Vatan
4* Towns in Bloom
Aubigny-sur-Nere: See tourist guide
Blois: See tourist guide
Bourges: See tourist guide
Briare: See tourist guide
Chartres: See tourist guide
Chateauroux: See tourist guide
Fleury-les-Aubrais
Issoudun: See tourist guide
Moutiers
Olivet
Pierrefitte-sur-Sauldre
Quiers-sur-Bezonde
Saint-Amand-Montrond
Saint-Cyr-en-Val
Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire
Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle
Tours: See tourist guide
Vendome: See tourist guide
Veuil
Zoo or wildlife park
Réserve de Beaumarchais
ZooParc de Beauval
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