Touraine, nicknamed « the garden of France », is particularly famous for its many castles. It is spread over three departments, including Indre-et-Loire which extends a little to the west towards Anjou. Its temperate climate, where summers are often quite hot, attracts many tourists in search of discovering French heritage. But then, what can you visit for a memorable holiday in Indre-et-Loire?
Summary
The Loire-Anjou-Touraine regional natural park
This natural park, located between Angers and Tours, hosts in particular the Loire and its tributaries, for walks and hikes along the water. There are also superb green meadows and cultivated forests. These allow you to discover many massifs:
- Chinon
- milly
- Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil
By adopting an approach of respecting the environment and preserving the natural beauty of its sites, the park has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Sitemaking it the largest site with this recognition.
Many lodgings in Indre et Loire invite you to ask yourself to discover this park with its unique natural treasures. We put down the suitcases, and we go to discovera rich heritage, shared between wild nature and old castles.
The Loire Valley Castles
The castle of Chambord
Located in the Loir-et-Cher, this monument dates back to the 16th century, during the reign of François I. It fits easily as one of the most beautiful castles of the Renaissance, thanks to its unique architecture based on the forts of the Middle Ages. A central square, a keep and four towers give it all its splendour, and a visit via Chambord is a must during your stay in Touraine, to visit this oh so famous monument.
The castle of Blois
Take advantage of your stopover in the Loir-et-Cher to visit the Château de Blois, another highlight of the Renaissance. This royal building will see no less than 7 kings pass through it. With a rich history, its past translates into its scalable architecture, which is found on its 4 wings. There are different styles, which range from the 13th and 17th centuries, making each visit a real immersion in the varied history of the Château de Blois.
Other famous castles
You can enhance your holidays in Indre-et-Loire by visiting the Montpoupon Castle, located to the east of Tours and nestled in the hollow of a forest. A nice way to spend a day between nature and heritage! Cheverny Castle is one of the most visited Loire castles, along with Blois and Chambord. It is classified as a historical monument and attracts for its original and ancestral activities, such as hunting with hounds.
The culinary specialties of Indre-et-Loire
Impossible to go through Touraine without tasting its local specialities! The fouace is particularly known for its delicacy. A small round brioche with a taste of honey and nuts, it is typical of this region, just like the rillons of Tourswhich can be eaten both cold and lukewarm, as an aperitif or as a starter.
the Sainte-Maure goat cheese is also famous, with its ashy paste which gives a particular taste to the cheese. Accompanied by a dry white wine from Pouilly-sur-Loire, this AOP cheese will seduce gourmets!
