Indre-et-Loire places to visit and attractions
Below you can explore some of the most popular highlights and places of interest in the Indre-et-Loire department of Loire Valley. See also our Indre-et-Loire travel guide
Amboise
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
Azay-le-Rideau
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
The basilica Saint-Martin is an imposing neo-byzantine church in the town of Tours See guide
Candes-Saint-Martin
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
Candes-Saint-Martin collegiate church
The collegiate church of Candes-Saint-Martin has numerous medieval statues incorporated in the facade and porch See guide
Chateau d'Amboise
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
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
The imposing Chateau d'Usse, next to the Loire, is an imposing medieval-renaissance castle surrounded by gardens and park See guide
Chateau de Chenonceau
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 Chinon
Château de Chinon retains more medieval elements than most Loire Valley castles See guide
Chateau de Clos Lucé at Amboise
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
Château de Langeais is a medieval-renaissance castle with nicely furnished rooms and the oldest castle keep in France See guide
Chateau de Villandry
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
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
Chinon
As well as the castle, Chinon has a very impressive medieval centre to explore and lovely river views See guide
Crissay-sur-Manse
Explore the lovely stone houses and narrow streets in the tiny village of Crissay-sur-Manse See guide
Domaine Royal de Château Gaillard
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
Langeais
Langeais is a small town with a pretty town centre, best known for the castle in the town See guide
Loches
Numerous historic monuments make the citadel in Loches a very interesting place to visit See guide
Montresor
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
Tavant
Tavant is a small village but a visit to se the murals in the church is recommended when you are nearby See guide
Tours
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
The la Psalette cloister and the cathedral of Tours together make a very impressive religious monument with various architectural styles See guideFor more information see the Indre-et-Loire guide
Market towns & days in Indre-et-Loire
all markets in morning unless otherwise stated
Amboise: Sunday & Friday
Artannes-sur-Indre: Friday
Avoine: Friday
Azay-le-Rideau: Wednesday & Saturday
Ballan-Mire: Sunday & Friday
Blere: Tuesday
Bourgueil: Tuesday & Saturday
Chambray-les-Tours: Thursday & Sunday
Chateau-la-Valliere: Monday
Chateau-Renault: Tuesday & Saturday
Chinon: Thursday all day & Sunday
Cormery: Thursday
Descartes: Sunday
Esvres: Saturday
Fondettes: Wednesday & Sunday
Joue-les-Tours: Wednesday & Thursday & Sunday & Saturday
La Riche: Wednesday & Saturday
Langeais: Sunday
Le Grand-Pressigny: Thursday
Ligueil: Monday
Loches: Wednesday all day & Saturday
Luynes: Saturday
Manthelan: Thursday
Montbazon: Tuesday
Montlouis-sur-Loire: Thursday
Monts: Wednesday & Saturday
Neuille-Pont-Pierre: Tuesday
Neuvy-le-Roi: Friday
Preuilly-sur-Claise: Thursday & Saturday
Richelieu: Monday & Friday
Saint-Avertin: Wednesday & Friday
Saint-Branchs: Wednesday
Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire: Tuesday & Friday
Saint-Paterne-Racan: Thursday
Saint-Pierre-Des-Corps: Wednesday & Tuesday & Saturday & Friday
Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine: Friday
Tourist attractions to visit in Indre-et-Loire
The following sites have received official "tourist classifications"...
Zoo or wildlife park
Réserve de Beaumarchais
Towns of Art and History
Chinon: See tourist guide
Loches: See tourist guide
Tours: See tourist guide
Secteur Sauvegardé (protected historical town centre)
Amboise: See tourist guide
Chinon: See tourist guide
Loches: See tourist guide
Richelieu: See tourist guide
Tours: See tourist guide
Listed 'Remarkable Gardens'
Le jardin des Prébendes d'Oé
Les jardins de la Chatonnière
Les jardins du château de Villandry: See tourist guide
Les jardins du château du Rivau: See tourist guide
Les jardins du prieuré de Saint-Cosme
Parc et jardins du château de Chenonceau: See tourist guide
Parc et jardins du château de Valmer
Religious Monuments
Collegiale Church (Candes-Saint-Martin): See tourist guide
Regional Natural Parcs
Loire-Anjou-Touraine: See tourist guide
Towns classified as Recommended Detours
Loches: See tourist guide
National Monuments
Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau: See tourist guide
Cloisters of la Psalette: See tourist guide
Villages classified as "most beautiful villages"
Candes-Saint-Martin: See tourist guide
Crissay-sur-Manse: See tourist guide
Montresor: See tourist guide
Aquarium
Aquarium du Val-de-Loire