Loir-et-Cher, Administrative department in Centre-Val de Loire, France
Loir-et-Cher is an administrative district in central France that extends between two river courses and whose capital is Blois. The territory includes gentle hills, extensive forests and agricultural lands dotted with small towns and several historic castles.
The territory emerged during the administrative reform after 1789, when former provinces were divided into new units. The boundaries followed the two rivers that gave the area its name and brought together territories that had previously belonged to different domains.
The landscape between both rivers is shaped by vineyards, forests and grain fields that have defined local life for centuries. Small markets in the towns offer regional products such as goat cheese, mushrooms and wines from the slopes, which visitors can discover while walking through the villages.
Travelers can reach the region via several roads and rail connections that run through the entire territory. The best time to visit is between spring and autumn, when the castle gardens are open and the weather makes driving tours through the countryside easier.
Several castles in the area served as models for illustrators working on a well-known animated film in the 1980s. The architecture with its towers and battlements helped bring the atmosphere of European fairy tales to the screen.
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