Indre-et-Loire holds a special place in France’s castle heritage. This department in the heart of Touraine boasts an exceptional concentration of castles, the result of five centuries of royal presence on the banks of the Loire. It was here that the kings of France chose to build their most sumptuous residences, transforming the valley into a veritable open-air museum listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry, Langeais, Loches, Chinon… masterpieces follow one another along the Loire and its tributaries, the Cher, the Indre and the Vienne. From medieval fortified castles to Renaissance mansions with manicured gardens, every era has left its mark on this region of gentle beauty and elegance.
Touraine owes this richness to its favourable geography — a fertile valley, a temperate climate, and a white stone (tuffeau) that is easy to carve — and to Charles VII’s decision to establish his court in Chinon and then in Tours in the 15th century, fleeing Paris, which was occupied by the English. His successors, Louis XI, Charles VIII, Louis XII and Francis I, continued to embellish the region, attracting the greatest Italian architects and artists of the Renaissance.
Today, Indre-et-Loire welcomes millions of visitors every year who come not only to admire these architectural gems, but also to enjoy the activities on offer: guided tours, charming accommodation, gourmet restaurants, weddings and seminars in exceptional settings.