Home to some of the most famous of the Loire Valley castles, the departement of Indre-et-Loire is the perfect destination for those who enjoy their historical buildings, art and culture. There are even some castles that have been turned into hotels and guest houses if you want to go one step further and spend the night in one of these beautiful buildings. The Loire Valley is also known for its outstanding natural beauty, with wild areas of countryside, castle gardens and a range of outdoor sporting activities. The main town of Tours has a picturesque old town, plenty of cheaper places to stay than historic castles and a range of restaurants to suit every budget too. There are dozens of campsites in this part of France, offering cheap accommodation in the heart of the countryside.
The castles or chateaux of the Loire Valley are strung out along the region's rivers, with some even incorporating the famous waterway itself into their design. They range in age from medieval fortresses to luxurious 18th century country homes for the rich. One of the most visited and most photographed is the Renaissance Chateau de Chenonceau, with its gallery of archways over the River Cher, one of the Loire's tributaries. The building itself is full of antique tapestries, while the gardens are an undoubted highlight. The best view of the castle is from the formal Catherine de Medici gardens, where there are also concerts held in the summer. Perhaps the only way the view from the garden can be bettered is by taking a boat trip on the river and passing through the arches themselves.
Other highlights of the castles trail includes the Chateau d'Usse, which looks like something out of Sleeping Beauty rather than something you might find in the French countryside, and the 15th century medieval fortress of Langeais, with its towers, ramparts and huge traditional fireplaces. The wedding room is where one of France's kings was married in 1491, while the remains of the original keep now form part of the grounds.
The Loire region of France is also well known for its wines, and there are many vineyards in the Indre-et-Loire area that are open to visitors. The scenery in this part of France is very green, with rolling hills and pleasant walking conditions. The Loire-Anjou-Touraine nature reserve in the west of the departement is a protected area of wilderness, home to many species of plants and animals and crossed by a network of walking and cycling trails.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Indre-et-Loire? Then below is a selection of gites in Indre-et-Loire and villas in Indre-et-Loire that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
