A short guide about Centre-Val de Loire
Chartres is both an ideal daytrip from Paris and a good first step to visit central France. The city itself has one of the most beautiful medieval cathedrals in the world. The capital Clermont-Ferrant has many historic sites, and the Auvergne has awe-inspiring non-active volcanoes, lakes, rivers and forests, that make it a wonderful destination for the nature lover.
The Valley of the roses has higher number of castles per square kilometre than any other region in the world. Drive along the river from Orleans to Tours and you will see them everywhere; manors, small castles, big castles. Most of them masterpieces: of Renaissance art such as Chambord, Usse, Blois or Amboise. Just south of the Loire region, the Limousin on the western slopes of the Massif Central attracts visitors in search of unspoiled countryside. The Corraze, Creuse and Haute Vienne contain hills and gorges, and lush green meadows. Limoges is the most important city in this region and numerous ancient village churches dot the landscape as well as more imposing abbey churches and fortresses.
Tourabout’s operators have packages that include Central France and the Loire Valley in its tour itinerary, so planning your holiday around the provinces’ places of attraction is easy. Such as the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud - a world heritage site, located in the heart of the Loire Valley and founded in 1101, the Abbey housed a double religious order directed by a ruling Abbess. The Abbey church also houses the tombs of the Plantagenet kings of England.