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Secret Wonders of Centre-Val de Loire

Journey into the heart of France and discover the lesser-known treasures of Centre-Val-de-Loire. This carefully curated list unveils a diverse selection of enchanting locales, from idyllic gardens to historic mills and secluded abbeys. Each point of interest embodies the charm and understated beauty that is characteristic of this storied French region.

Maison Picassiette
Maison Picassiette

France

20th Century monument in France

Château de Lavardin
Château de Lavardin

Lavardin, France

Ruins of a medieval castle with stunning views

Maison Picassiette
Maison Picassiette

Chartres, France

A house entirely decorated with mosaic tiles

Dunois Windmill
Dunois Windmill

Beaugency, France

Authentic windmill surrounded by picturesque countryside

Domaine du Ciran
Domaine du Ciran

Ménestreau-en-Villette, France

Wildlife conservation area with natural trails

Grottes Pétrifiantes de Savonnières
Grottes Pétrifiantes de Savonnières

Savonnières, France

Caves known for limestone formations and petrifying wells

Musée Marcel Proust
Musée Marcel Proust

Illiers-Combray, France

Museum dedicated to French writer Marcel Proust located in his aunt's house

Collégiale St Ours
Collégiale St Ours

Loches, France

Unique church known for its split chancel and romanesque architecture

Parc Floral de la Source
Parc Floral de la Source

Orléans, France

A sprawling botanical garden rich in biodiversity

Réserve Naturelle de Chérine
Réserve Naturelle de Chérine

Saint-Michel-en-Brenne, France

Nature reserve abundant in bird species and wetland habitats

Pont Canal de Briare
Pont Canal de Briare

Briare, France

A striking aqueduct bridge over the River Loire

Château de Talcy
Château de Talcy

Talcy, France

A romantic Renaissance château with historical significance

Gué-Péan Castle
Gué-Péan Castle

Monthou-sur-Cher, France

Fortified castle nestled within beautiful woodland scenery

Abbaye de Noirlac
Abbaye de Noirlac

Bruère-Allichamps, France

Stunning example of Cistercian architecture amid tranquil surroundings

Château de Montpoupon
Château de Montpoupon

Céré-la-Ronde, France

A private castle and museum showcasing hunting and nature.

Château de Villesavin
Château de Villesavin

Tour-en-Sologne, France

A small Loire Valley chateau known for its wedding museum.

Musée des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France
Musée des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France

Bourges, France

Museum dedicated to showcasing the masterpieces of France's finest craftsmen.

Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre
Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre

Fougères-sur-Bièvre, France

A fine example of a small fortified castle from late Middle Ages.

Château de Valençay
Château de Valençay

Valençay, France

Elegant Renaissance château with unique architecture and significant history.

Musée Saint-Roch
Musée Saint-Roch

Issoudun, France

Museum with collections ranging from archaeology to fine arts

Château de Valençay
Château de Valençay

Valençay, France

An exquisite château known for its Renaissance architecture

Musée Balzac
Musée Balzac

Saché, France

Museum dedicated to novelist Honoré de Balzac in his restored residence

Château de Montpoupon
Château de Montpoupon

Céré-la-Ronde, France

Château featuring a hunting museum and original period rooms

Crypte de la Cathédrale de Bourges
Crypte de la Cathédrale de Bourges

Bourges, France

Remarkable crypt below the Cathedral of Bourges with historical carvings

Église Saint-Aignan
Église Saint-Aignan

Chartres, France

12th-century church with impressive frescoes and sculptures

Château de l'Islette
Château de l'Islette

Azay-le-Rideau, France

Secluded chateau along Indre River often overshadowed by its larger neighbors

Château de Bouges
Château de Bouges

Bouges-le-Château, France

18th-century neoclassical castle with extensive gardens

The Berry Canal
The Berry Canal

Centre-Val-de-Loire, France

Scenic waterway ideal for leisurely boat trips through rural areas

Pagoda of Chanteloup
Pagoda of Chanteloup

Amboise, France

Remarkable 18th-century seven-story Chinese Pagoda

Château de Troussay
Château de Troussay

Cheverny, France

Small, richly furnished Renaissance château with lush grounds

Prehistoric Museum of Grand-Pressigny
Prehistoric Museum of Grand-Pressigny

Le Grand-Pressigny, France

Museum dedicated to prehistoric flint tools and archaeological finds

Château de Beauregard
Château de Beauregard

Cellettes, France

Renaissance castle famous for its Portrait Gallery

Les Grottes du Foulon
Les Grottes du Foulon

Châteaudun, France

Unique underground cave network open to public exploration

Maison Picassiette 20th Century monument in France

Maison Picassiette
Maison Picassiette 20th Century monument in France
Château de Lavardin Ruins of a medieval castle with stunning views

Château de Lavardin
Château de Lavardin Ruins of a medieval castle with stunning views
Maison Picassiette A house entirely decorated with mosaic tiles

Maison Picassiette
Maison Picassiette A house entirely decorated with mosaic tiles
Dunois Windmill Authentic windmill surrounded by picturesque countryside

Dunois Windmill
Dunois Windmill Authentic windmill surrounded by picturesque countryside
Domaine du Ciran Wildlife conservation area with natural trails

Domaine du Ciran
Domaine du Ciran Wildlife conservation area with natural trails
Grottes Pétrifiantes de Savonnières Caves known for limestone formations and petrifying wells

Grottes Pétrifiantes de Savonnières
Grottes Pétrifiantes de Savonnières Caves known for limestone formations and petrifying wells
Musée Marcel Proust Museum dedicated to French writer Marcel Proust located in his aunt's house

Musée Marcel Proust
Musée Marcel Proust Museum dedicated to French writer Marcel Proust located in his aunt's house
Collégiale St Ours Unique church known for its split chancel and romanesque architecture

Collégiale St Ours
Collégiale St Ours Unique church known for its split chancel and romanesque architecture
Parc Floral de la Source A sprawling botanical garden rich in biodiversity

Parc Floral de la Source
Parc Floral de la Source A sprawling botanical garden rich in biodiversity
Réserve Naturelle de Chérine Nature reserve abundant in bird species and wetland habitats

Réserve Naturelle de Chérine
Réserve Naturelle de Chérine Nature reserve abundant in bird species and wetland habitats
Pont Canal de Briare A striking aqueduct bridge over the River Loire

Pont Canal de Briare
Pont Canal de Briare A striking aqueduct bridge over the River Loire
Château de Talcy A romantic Renaissance château with historical significance

Château de Talcy
Château de Talcy A romantic Renaissance château with historical significance
Gué-Péan Castle Fortified castle nestled within beautiful woodland scenery

Gué-Péan Castle
Gué-Péan Castle Fortified castle nestled within beautiful woodland scenery
Abbaye de Noirlac Stunning example of Cistercian architecture amid tranquil surroundings

Abbaye de Noirlac
Abbaye de Noirlac Stunning example of Cistercian architecture amid tranquil surroundings
Château de Montpoupon A private castle and museum showcasing hunting and nature.

Château de Montpoupon
Château de Montpoupon A private castle and museum showcasing hunting and nature.
Château de Villesavin A small Loire Valley chateau known for its wedding museum.

Château de Villesavin
Château de Villesavin A small Loire Valley chateau known for its wedding museum.
Musée des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France Museum dedicated to showcasing the masterpieces of France's finest craftsmen.

Musée des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France
Musée des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France Museum dedicated to showcasing the masterpieces of France's finest craftsmen.
Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre A fine example of a small fortified castle from late Middle Ages.

Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre
Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre A fine example of a small fortified castle from late Middle Ages.
Château de Valençay Elegant Renaissance château with unique architecture and significant history.

Château de Valençay
Château de Valençay Elegant Renaissance château with unique architecture and significant history.
Musée Saint-Roch Museum with collections ranging from archaeology to fine arts

Musée Saint-Roch
Musée Saint-Roch Museum with collections ranging from archaeology to fine arts
Château de Valençay An exquisite château known for its Renaissance architecture

Château de Valençay
Château de Valençay An exquisite château known for its Renaissance architecture
Musée Balzac Museum dedicated to novelist Honoré de Balzac in his restored residence

Musée Balzac
Musée Balzac Museum dedicated to novelist Honoré de Balzac in his restored residence
Château de Montpoupon Château featuring a hunting museum and original period rooms

Château de Montpoupon
Château de Montpoupon Château featuring a hunting museum and original period rooms
Crypte de la Cathédrale de Bourges Remarkable crypt below the Cathedral of Bourges with historical carvings

Crypte de la Cathédrale de Bourges
Crypte de la Cathédrale de Bourges Remarkable crypt below the Cathedral of Bourges with historical carvings
Église Saint-Aignan 12th-century church with impressive frescoes and sculptures

Église Saint-Aignan
Église Saint-Aignan 12th-century church with impressive frescoes and sculptures
Château de l'Islette Secluded chateau along Indre River often overshadowed by its larger neighbors

Château de l'Islette
Château de l'Islette Secluded chateau along Indre River often overshadowed by its larger neighbors
Château de Bouges 18th-century neoclassical castle with extensive gardens

Château de Bouges
Château de Bouges 18th-century neoclassical castle with extensive gardens
The Berry Canal Scenic waterway ideal for leisurely boat trips through rural areas

The Berry Canal
The Berry Canal Scenic waterway ideal for leisurely boat trips through rural areas
Pagoda of Chanteloup Remarkable 18th-century seven-story Chinese Pagoda

Pagoda of Chanteloup
Pagoda of Chanteloup Remarkable 18th-century seven-story Chinese Pagoda
Château de Troussay Small, richly furnished Renaissance château with lush grounds

Château de Troussay
Château de Troussay Small, richly furnished Renaissance château with lush grounds
Prehistoric Museum of Grand-Pressigny Museum dedicated to prehistoric flint tools and archaeological finds

Prehistoric Museum of Grand-Pressigny
Prehistoric Museum of Grand-Pressigny Museum dedicated to prehistoric flint tools and archaeological finds
Château de Beauregard Renaissance castle famous for its Portrait Gallery

Château de Beauregard
Château de Beauregard Renaissance castle famous for its Portrait Gallery
Les Grottes du Foulon Unique underground cave network open to public exploration

Les Grottes du Foulon
Les Grottes du Foulon Unique underground cave network open to public exploration