TOURISM • HERITAGE • LOIRE VALLEY
Discover the Loire Valley region
See, hear, smell, taste, and touch.
We are fortunate to live in a region rich in cultural and natural heritage, etc., which delights all five senses! Events in a variety of fields take place regularly throughout the year in towns and villages.
Here are our favorites! The list is not exhaustive because it is too long and I haven't seen everything yet, but we can discuss it in person during your stay. I have listed the ones closest to Villefranche-sur-Cher, within a radius of about 50km.
THE CHÂTEAUX OF THE LOIRE VALLEY
In the Loire Valley region, we have a wide selection of castles!
From the smallest: Troussay, to the largest: Chambord.
TROUSSAY CASTLE
The smallest in the Loire region
The castle is open to visitors from 11:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. on weekdays and from 11:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on weekends and public holidays.
CHEVERNY CASTLE
Open every day
The castle has the distinction of having always been inhabited and still is today!
Chaumont-sur-Loire Estate
Open year-round
A must-see destination in the world of art and gardens.
CHENONCEAU CASTLE
Open all year round
It is an essential stop on your tour of the Loire Valley castles.
Fougères-en-Bièvre Castle
Castle
With its keep and entrance curtain wall with machicolations.
VALENÇAY CASTLE
Grand Loire Valley Castle
This castle incorporates several architectural styles without detracting from the overall harmony of the building.
Typical towns and villages
The places I like to walk in the city center, in the typical alleys, the half-timbered houses, along the Loire and Cher rivers,
where I like to visit churches and cathedrals, parks, museums, etc.
CITY OF MONTRICHARD
Medieval town
It complements a visit to the châteaux of the Loire Valleyby offering a journey back in time.
Mennetou-sur-Cher
Medieval town
During the summer season, guided tours by day or by torchlight are available upon reservation.
Bourges
Green city
A city of art and history, proud of its monuments, ancient streets, and half-timbered houses.
Zoos & museums
BEAUVAL ZOO
in Saint-Aignan
More than 35,000 animals from around the world, living in the park's 22 territories!
natural history museum
from Bourges
The Bourges Natural History Museum has been awarded the Môm’Art “Happy Museum” label, which is aimed at families.
Sologne Museum
in Romorantin
Presentation to the public of the tangible and intangible heritage of this region bordered by the Loire and Cher rivers.
The markets
These and the smaller markets in the surrounding villages.
In Sologne and Berry, we can walk or cycle everywhere in the woods and forests, along the Berry Canal, in the Sensitive Natural Areas, Brenne, the park houses, the hiking trails, etc. And also mushroom farms and villages carved out of tuffeau stone (Bourré, Saumur), troglodyte dwellings, vineyards, the Saint-Michel workshop and Max Vauché chocolate factory in Contres, the Chambord biscuit factory in Cour-Cheverny, Beauval Zoo, and more.
The list is not exhaustive because there are still many places to discover. It's impossible to get bored; there's something for everyone. And I'm not even mentioning all the events, fairs, summer festivals, concerts, theaters, sports activities, hot air balloon rides, and everything else...
RESTAURANTS & GUINGUETTES
There are many open-air cafés : in Villefranche-sur-Cher, Mennetou-sur-Cher, Montrichard, etc. ... All along the banks of the Cher River, in fact. And in Thénioux, along the Berry Canal.
Recommended restaurants in the area:
> in Romorantin
– La petite taverne (traditional French cuisine),
– Asaki Bonheur (Japanese restaurant),
– La Scaleta (pizzeria),
– le Café Thérapie (eat in or take away).
> in Chabris
– Le pêcheur d’étoiles (traditional French cuisine).
> in Bourges
– Sushi One (Japanese restaurant),
– La Scaleta (pizzeria).
>in Vierzon
– La Siesta (traditional French cuisine).
Special mention for the unforgettable and original ice creams at the Estaminet at the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire and the delicious pastries from Bigot in Amboise.
