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Cathédrale de Chartres  

Le Cher

Bourges :
The Jacques Cœur’s palace and the Saint-Étienne cathedrale are the must when visiting Bourges. Do not miss the Archevêché’s garden, the house of Échevins and the Berry’s museum (inside Cujas’ mansion).

The Castles' route (Jacques Cœur road) goes by Menetou-Salon, Boucard, Culan, Jussy-Champagne, Maupas, Châteuneuf-sur-Cher, Blancafort, La Chapelle d'Anguillon, La Verrerie, Ainay-le-Vieil, Meillant.

Do not miss the Cistercian abbey of Noirlac, the medieval villages and the flowered parks.

Cathedrale of Chartres

chartres_2.jpg (21904 octets)

 

L'Eure-et-Loir

Chartres :
The Cathedrale Notre-Dame (12th - 13th centuries) and the fine Arts museum (located in the episcopal palace) will be your first steps when visiting Chartres. Then you should see the old city with its narrow and typical streets, its mansions. Do not miss to walk on the Eure River banks (Footbridge over the Eure River).

You should see the natural regions of Thymerais and Drouais. Visit at Anet, the castle of Diane de Poitiers,
and at Chateaudun, the museum and the castle

Chenonceaux
Chenonceaux
 

L'Indre

Châteauroux :
Châteauroux is famous for its ceramics and pottery. You ought to visit the Gallo-Roman site at Argenton-sur-Creuse.

Do not miss La Châtre with its George Sand’s museum,

and many castles as Valençay, Sarzay, Bouges... and also George Sand’s house at Nohant.

Villandry

Villandry
Castle of Villandry

 

L'Indre-et-Loir

Tours :
From the Wilson bridge spanning the Loire River, you should see the Gouin’s mansion (Middle Age sculptures museum) and the Saint-Julien cloister. When walking to the Saint-Gatien cathedrale (Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany childrens tombs), you should discover the cloister of Psalette. Don't miss a promenade in the old city of Tours

With more than 300 castles which several are museums, the department possesses many prehistoric grottos near Langeais and the cave dweller houses especially at Vouvray and Rochecorbon.

Marcay
Castle of Marcay,
Chinon
 

Le Loir-et-Cher

Blois :
The castle of Blois is a marvelous history book.
The tower of Foix dating from Norman invasions is amalgamated in the 16th century constructions.
One of its masterpieces is its spiral staircase in François Ist living quarters. The tourist informations is located in Anne de Bretagne’s house and the Hôtel-Dieu" in the ancient Benedictine abbey of Saint-Laumer close to the Saint-Nicolas church (12th and 13th centuries).

Do not miss the castles of Blois and Chambord, Chaumont and Cheverny

With Beauce, cereal earth and vineyard, and Sologne, this department is a symphony of flavours (asparagus - 1st producer ; strawberry ; mushrooms).
In gastronomy, you can sample the chocolate’s production and discover other specialities as tapestry, ceramic, glovery.

Verrerie
Castle of La Verrerie

Bourdaisière
Castle of La Bourdaisière

 

Le Loiret

Orléans :
Orléans has been impregnated with Jeanne d'Arc’s epic since she has conquered the city to the Anglo-Burgundian army during the Hundred years war. A museum is entirely dedicated to her.
The Sainte-Croix cathedrale (13th - 14th centuries) dominates the ancien bishopric (18th century mansion), actually housing the public library. From its garden you could enjoy an interesting viewpoint on the cathedrale back.
Settled in the mansion of Créneaux , the fine Arts museum exhibits many works (sculptures and paintings).

Do not miss the Bollée bell's foundry, the castle at Sully-sur-Loire as well as the natural sites of Petite Beauce, Gâtinais, Val-de-Loire, Berry and Sologne.

Many site are not to be missed too as the abbey of Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire, the churches of Germigny-des-Prés (the oldest of France, built up on Armenian Etchmiadzine church’s plans), Cortrat, Notre-Dame-de-Cléry, the castles of Châtillon-Coligny, Gien (Hunting museum), Beaugency (Orleanais’ museum), Malesherbes.