Last Updated on 05/07/2024
The next map of attractions in the Loire Valley. This time we explore Amboise, part of the Cher River around Chenonceau and the region south of Tours to the town of Loches.
Maps nearby:
Loire Castles. Blois region attractions map
Around Chinon: Loire Valley map from Tours to Angers
Loire cycle route map. Tours – Villandry
Loire valley Chambord castle
Loire Valley Castles. Blois castle
By car, bike and public transport in the Loire Valley
Best castles to see in Loire Valley
Brittany Crozon Peninsula, Locronan
Pink granite coast (Cote de granit rose)
1. Reserve de Beaumarchais
On a mini-train through a park inhabited, judging by the photographs, by at least deer, bison, ostriches, kangaroos and wild boars. The site, unfortunately, provides little information Link
2. Château of Valmer
Renaissance terraced gardens similar to those of Villandry. Link
Unlike Villandry, there is no visit to the castle, but there is a vineyard and free wine tasting. The gardens were laid out at the beginning of the 16th century. The castle was destroyed in the mid-20th century; the surviving buildings date back to the 17th century.
Garden Escape game.
Nearby, on the other side of the city of Chançay, there is another castle with a visit – Château de Jallanges, but it is more focused on services (hotel, hammam, events, etc.). Link
3. Parc de la Bourdaisière
The Bourdaisière Palace is used as a hotel and for events. You can visit the park. There is a national collection of tomatoes (700 species), a dahlia park and an orchard. Link
Nearby: Corn Maze Maïs Aventure Link
4. Aquarium de Touraine
Medium size aquarium Link. You can get an idea of what fish and amphibians are represented on the website in the section l’Aquarium / Especes.
5. Amboise
Amboise is not a small town (this is in case you are planning to explore everything on foot). In addition to the station, which is located on the opposite bank of the river from the castle (and it’s quite a long walk), there are also buses from Chenonceau and Tours (rarely).
More about Amboise: Amboise Castle, Clos Lucé and what else to see
In Amboise you find:
Chateau Amboise castle (Link) – royal residence
Clos Luce castle – museum dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci. Link
small palace in Italian style Chateau Gaillard with garden and park. Link
candy store with production demonstration and small museum on the way to the train station on the other side of the river. Link
Parc Mini-Chateaux Link
Chanteloup Pagoda Link
6. Chateau Chenonceau castle
One of the two most famous castles in the Loire Valley. Link
You can get there by train from Tours, and from Amboise by bus. There is a cycling route along the Cher River.
More about: Loire valley Chenonceau castle
7. Château de Montpoupon castle
The original medieval castle was converted into a palace in the 15th century. Interiors from different eras. Link
Small hunting Museum, stables
Model
8. Montrichard
On the list of “towns with character”. There are old town, a castle with a regional museum, two churches from the 11th century.
In the neighboring village there is a settlement of “troglodytes”. Life in rock dwellings can be seen with a guided tour. Link
9. ZooParc de Beauval
A large zoo, considered one of the best in the world. Link
A large glass pavilion, pandas, a cable car over the territory, performances with sea lions and birds, a promenade above the enclosures.
How to get to ZooParc de Beauval:
navetta from Blois (6 euros return, onсe a day), discount at the entrance
The nearest station is St Aignan, on the line along the River Cher. However, this station is 8 km away and there is no bus
For such a top zoo, the lack of proper public transport is surprising. The Loire Valley is visited by a very large number of tourists without a car, and the option of getting there from Blois (1 hour by bus once a day) is not suitable for everyone.
10. Montresor
Montresor is on the list of the most beautiful villages in France.
The castle, converted from a medieval fortress, is now a museum Link
Gothic church. In summer – a special evening route
Nearby:
monastery-castle de la Corroirie Link
monastery ruins Chartreuse du Liget 12th century Link
rope park Link
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11. Loches
City of “art and history”
Old town, castle with a museum.
12th century Romanesque church, tomb of Agnes Sorel
Caravaggio’s works in the gallery of religious art Galerie Saint-Antoine
More about Loches: Loches and Chedigny village
Nearby:
Beaulieu-les-Loches town – on the list of “towns with character”. 13th century church, gardens, old mill
12. Chedigny
The only village in France to receive the title of “remarkable garden”. The streets are lined with roses, so the best time to visit is June. Link
More about Chedigny: Loches and Chedigny village
13. Montbazon, Domaine de Cande
Montbazon is a medieval fortress, one of the oldest in France (late 10th century). A powerful donjon and a significant part of the walls and towers have been preserved from the fortress. The museum operates on the principle of an open-air museum – with a demonstration of medieval games, etc. The price includes a tour. English text is provided. There is also a performance in the afternoon. See the website for schedule.Link
Nearby:
Arboretum de la Martiniere – forest botanical garden. You can see what it looks like at different times of the year on the website. Link
Domaine de Cande
On the other side of the highway there is a park and a palace Domaine de Cande Link
This palace is of a different kind than all those considered so far. It represents the life of wealthy aristocrats in the first half of the 20th century. The owners were distinguished by their engineering thinking, so the most advanced amenities for that time were installed here (for example, a pumping station, a lift, international telephone communications). The wedding of the Duke of Windsor (the future King Edward 8, who abdicated the throne) and the American Wallis Simpson took place in the palace. There are several thematic excursions, including for children.
There is a vast, well-kept park around, which in itself deserves a visit and is free.
It is interesting to see that the sanitary facilities were almost the same as they are now. Lamps, a typewriter, a radio, outfits of that time (it’s pity, there aren’t many) and even exercise equipment. The topic is recommended to watch “Edwardian Farm”, where they visit a similar manor.
14. Tours city
Tour has preserved only a small part of the old city, but the city itself is very pleasant and convenient for overnight stay. It’s definitely worth a visit, if only for the cathedral.
More about Tours city: Attractions of Tours city
Museums of Tours:
Cloitre la Psalette Link
art museum Musee des Beaux-Arts Link
museum Hotel Gouin (temporary exhibitions) Link
Crafts Museum Musée du Compagnonnage Link
Priory ruins and rose garden Prieure Saint Cosme Link
Please note that there are two stations in the city: the one closer to the city center is a dead-end station. The larger one, where high-speed trains usually stop, Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, is not located near the center, you still need to get to it.
On the outskirts of Tours there are two Gadawi rope parks (in the north and in the south), indoor playgrounds, and a jumping center (Link).
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In the suburbs, the “town with character” Rochecorbon may also be of interest. The vineyards of this town were famous – Rabelais, for example, wrote about them. In addition to the vineyards, there are two 11th-century churches and the noted garden of le Manoir des basses Rivieres Link
There is also park of attractions Lulu Parc Link
To the west in the village of Luynes is a Gallo-Roman aqueduct.
Maps nearby:
Loire Castles. Blois region attractions map
Around Chinon: Loire Valley map from Tours to Angers
Loire cycle route map. Tours – Villandry
Loire valley Chambord castle
Loire Valley Castles. Blois castle
By car, bike and public transport in the Loire Valley
Best castles to see in Loire Valley
Brittany Crozon Peninsula, Locronan
Pink granite coast (Cote de granit rose)
