The Area
This guide offers all the information you will need to find out exactly what it is like to spend time in this area. Please have a look at the links at the bottom of each 'tab' section, which will help you plan a perfect holiday here.
 There are many beautiful towns and villages to visit in the area. The following have been officially recognised by the association "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France": Montrésor, Crissay-sur-Manse, Saint-Benoit du Sault, Gargilesse-Dampierre and Candes Saint Martin. You will also want to visit these in our opinion!: Châtillon-sur-Indre, Loches, Montrichard, Blois and Amboise. Get directions on the Map to locate these towns.
 The area is abundant with wine estates where you can taste and purchase wines.
Many sporting activities are available if you wish to keep active.
 Le Mont des Loups self-catering holiday accommodation is ideally situated in the Loire Valley for visiting the renowned chateaux of the area, including the famous Chenonceau, Chambord, Blois, Amboise and Chateau du Moulin.
 There are many other attractions for children and adults to keep you busy throughout your holiday. Children and animal lovers will especially enjoy Zooparc Beauval, one of the best zoos in Europe and the Haute-Touche Animal Park. Futuroscope is one of many theme park attractions and the La Roche Posay Spa Resort is also very popular for their treatments, casino and golf.
You can find more information from a selection of websites we have researched.
Please click a category heading below to open or close the list.
 The Loire Valley is renowned for its famous chateaux. Chambord, the biggest, Chenonceaux the prettiest, Blois, the most historic, Amboise, the bloodiest (but a delightful town all the same) and the Chateau du Moulin, the least boring for children - moated but above all can be seen in half an hour.
Chateaux Country
A very good guide to all the chateaux in the area.
Azureva
A good source of information about chateaux in the Loire Valley.
MINI Chateaux VAL DE LOIRE
This tour gives you a chance to explore the Loire's most prestigious castles in miniature,
in just half a day ! Thanks to the exceptional quality of the reproductions, laid out among
trees along a route stretching for 1.5 kilometres, you enter another dimension, venturing
right into the historical heart of the Loire Valley.
Chenonceau
Today, Chenonceau has fully recovered its glory. With its one million visitors
every year, and with the exception of the Palace of Versailles, it is the most
visited chateau in France.
Cheverny
The Cheverny's estate has belonged to the same family, the Huraults, for
more than six centuries.
The architect's father was kings Henry III and Henry IV's
chancellor (minister of justice). The Chateau of Cheverny was the model for the
Chateau of Moulinsart in Tintin. The Tintin museum is official and apparently very good.
Montpoupon
In an extraordinary setting, come and visit the chateau
de Montpoupon, medieval fortress recasted in the XVth century to turn into a
graceful residence from the first Renaissance.
Villesavin
The chateau was built by the same French and Italian master builders and workmen
who built the great Royal Palaces and it has remained for four centuries, almost
perfectly untouched.
Chateau Royal D'Amboise
The Chateau of Amboise, the third most visited monument in the Loire Valley, is offering
another season of visits with added attraction of Commedia Dell'Arte performances and games
inspired by those played during the Renaissance.
 This area of the Loire Valley is within the Brenne National Park, and is excellent for enjoying the fauna, flora and countryside. You can have a relaxing day out at a lake, cruise down the river, visit a wild animal park or enjoy the view from a balloon for the more adventurous.
Various theme parks are available year-round, some being right on your door-step. Zooparc Beauval is definitely worth a visit.
Zoo Parc de Beauval
This is one of the best zoos in Europe.
La Roche Posay Spa Resort
La Roche Posay is the largest spa resort in Europe to specialise in skin care; a village of history, the old quarter with its listed monuments bears witness to its history in a way that will charm visitors; a village of entertainments, with a casino and golf course.
AQUARIUM DU VAL DE LOIRE
You will be able to see some of the giant species that live in the Loire, as well as rare tropical fish, turtles, alligators, piranhas ... and even sharks, at the Loire Valley Aquarium, Europe's foremost freshwater aquarium.
Futuroscope theme park
If you don't know about it have a look at their website, it's impressive!
They are just over an hour away.
Disneyland Paris
This is within reach for a good day trip by train.
Fantasy Forest
An ideal spot for all. The park includes several acrobatic trails through the trees,
an indoor climbing wall, paintball, downhill go-karting, hire of cycles, mountain and
trail bikes and tandems. Helicopter flights. Instruction provided by a qualified climbing
instructor (holder of a "Brevet d'Etat d'Escalade"). Meals on site and picnic areas.
Reserve de Beaumarchais
On board our safari train, discover the varied big game bred in France, Ostrich, bison,
stag, wild boar, etc. English commentary. Children play park. Our auberge serves meals,
snacks and drinks.
Labyrinthus maze park
This summer, the Labyrinthus Parks invite you to Extraordinary Voyages in new
giant corn labyrinths animated by actors....lose yourself in France! This is the
official site and is in French only.
Bourré Silkworm House
Located on the touris
route of the Cher valley, between Montrichard and Saint-Aignan. Picturesque troglodyte
village. Visit this vast troglodyte site. Ecomuseum with a view on the Cher. Silk worm
houses carved in the rock, reserved for silk worm raising. Rock excavation. Troglodyte
dwellings.
Open from Easter to November. 41400 Bourré. Tel./Fax: 00 (33) 2 54 32 63 91
Haute-Touche Animal Park
Within the park are not only African animals (monkeys, hyenas, cheetahs...) but also, set in a 500 ha forest, more than a thousand animals, many part of international conservation programmes. There is also a unique collection of deer. This site allows for the discovery and understanding of the world of animals on foot or bicycle.
Self-drive houseboats, canal boats
Syndicat du Cher Canalisé
Canal du Berry,Saint-Aignan
Phone: +33 (0)2 54 75 08 51, fax: +33 (0)2 54 75 20 96
Route du Blanc, BP 85, 41110 Saint-Agnan, France
France Montgolfieres Balloon Company
Treat yourselves to a trip over chateaux country in a balloon with this local, Civil Aviation Authority licensed company.
Loire Valley Car Touring
Loire Valley Car Touring provides a chauffeur-driven car rental service. Your private tours will be done with an English speaking driver native of the area and will permit you to discover : Manor Houses, Chateaux, Cathedrals, and other sites of the Loire Valley as well as other areas of France on request.
Golfers have a good choice of three courses within easy reach, the nearest being 6 miles away. Tennis, karting and swimming are only 4 miles away. Other sporting activities available in the area include canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, horse-riding, cycling, mountain biking, rock climbing, caving, hiking and angling
Golf du Connétable
Situated at the La Roche Posay spa resort within 30 mins drive, this 18 hole course suits players of all levels.
Slightly undulating, the narrow fairways are bordered by fir trees and oaks, with some water. Prices from 30€ to 40 €.
Golf Club du Val de L'Indre
For the discerning golfer, a 45 minute drive brings you to this course, which stretches along the banks of the river
Trégonce under spreading cedars and ancient oaks. It is a challenge for good golfers whilst accessible for less experienced players.
Le Golf Loches-Verneuil
This is a 9-hole golf course within a very convenient 10 minute drive. It is set in beautiful surroundings and is quite affordable.
This is not a championship course however it won't disappoint if you want an easy, enjoyable round of golf.
Pole Karting
A professional karting circuit right on your doorstep for an exhilarating day out!
 The local village at Fléré-la-Rivière is just 2 minutes drive and has everything you will need for everyday essentials including a butcher, baker, shop to buy newspapers & milk etc., there is a pizza place, a restaurant and a hairdressers.
 Châtillon-sur-Indre and Loches are nearby towns with a good choice of supermarkets, restaurants and farmers markets.
You can find more information from a selection of websites we have researched.
Please click a category heading below to open or close the list.
Michelin recommended restaurants
There are a number of good restaurants in the area for you to choose from.
www.fromages.com
The best traditional French cheeses website will teach you all there is to know
about French cheeses.
The French Food and Cook
The authentic French cuisine site. Why not try some French cooking whilst
enjoying your stay at our cottage?
You can find more information from a selection of websites we have researched.
Please click a category heading below to open or close the list.
This is a brief proximity guide to some of the activities.
Activity |
Distance (miles) |
| Tennis |
4 |
| Golf |
6 |
| Beauval Zoo |
18 |
| Go Karting |
4 |
| Swimming |
4 |
| Hot Air Ballooning |
35 |
| Wildlife Park - "La Haut Touche" |
10 |
| Futuroscope |
25 |
| |
|
|
The Area 
The Val de Loire is the third biggest wine growing area
in France and situated between the Atlantic ocean and the Centre
Region. It represents the fulcrum between the South and the North, between
softness and freshness, the plastic and literary arts, tradition and modernity.
