Tourist Information Indre, Loire Valley France

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Loire Valley

Tourist Information Indre,
Loire Valley France

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Things to see and do in Indre, Loire Valley France

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Tourist Info: Indres, Loire Valley: Argenton-sur-Creuse

Nicknamed 'La Venise du Berry,' this pretty town is situated on the river Creuse. Lively streets leading to the town centre which has a good selection of shops. The town is a mixture of modern and ancient, with some medieval houses which can still be seen today. There is a picturesque walk up to the church La Bonne Dame, from where you have a good view over the town. Watermills such as the Moulin de Bord and the Moulin de Varenne on the river contribute to the charm of the town. There is a large swimming pool open all year round, and the modern Argentomagus Museum with relics from prehistory to the end of the Roman era. Another museum which is unique in Europe is devoted to male fashions throughout the ages, the Musée de la Chemiserie et de l'Elégance Masculin. From the old bridge there are views of galleried houses. The town used to have a fortress but all that is left today are the ruins of one of the towers. Churches to visit include the 15th century Eglise Saint Saveur in Place Carnot, and the Chapelle St Benoît.

Tourist Info: Indres, Loire Valley: Azay-le-Ferron

Taking its name from the iron which used to be extracted here until the 19th century, Azay-le-Ferron is situated in the Brenne National Park and has approximately 1010 inhabitants. There is a small supermarket and good basic shopping. There is a fine château which used to be the owned by a wealthy businessman and which now belongs to the city of Tours. The château is complemented by magnificent gardens which are part French, part English. In the French part there are topiary trees in the shape of chess pieces. There is also a rose garden, a kitchen garden, vines and an orchard. Guided visits are available. Tel 02 54 39 20 06.

Tourist Info: Indres, Loire Valley: Châteauroux

A dynamic town with plenty of historical and contemporary attractions. Lots of archaeological artefacts have been found around this region and many can be viewed in the town's museums. The Musée Châteauroux Hôtel Bertrand is ituated on Rue Descent des Cordeliers, and houses a large collection of aratefacts from the Napoleonic era, and of Dutch and Flemish art. The Musuem Le Couvent Cordeliers dates from the 13th century and is situated on rue Alain Fournier. The town has 10 festivals during the year including a Christmas Fair, antiques fair, rock festival and dance festival. Formerly a centre for clothmaking and tanners, vestiges of these activities still remain in the old streets and the streetnames. Now classified as a "Ville Fleurie", there are many beautiful flower displays in summer. There are four swimming pools: Belle Isle which has a wave machine, Fermin Batisse, Le Basse Nautique de Belle Isle and an open air pool during the summer months. The town has over 500 hectares of parks and gardens to enjoy.

Tourist Info: Indres, Loire Valley: Issoudun

The second largest town in the department, Issoudun has a reputation for an excellent quality of life for its inhabitants. It is a dynamic town with a host of cultural and sporting activities and facilities. The Tourist Office is located in the town centre in a fine half timbered 17th century house. You can hire an audioguide in either English or French to visit the city, taking in 25 different sites. The tour takes between 2 - 3 hours to complete. La Tour Blanche, open day and night to the public, was contructed towards the end of the 12th century by Richard the Lionheart. There is a panoramic view from the summit. The Church of St. Cyr has fine examples of stained glass relating to the life of St Cyr and his mother Juliette, and a collection of candelabras donated by Louis X1V. In front of the town hall is La Fontaine des Miroirs. You can visit the Quartier du Château with its imposing residences, and there are narrow streets which evoke the medieval history of the town. In La Cité des Métiers there are craftsmen producing wood, paintings and pottery. Take a walk on the town's ramparts and visit the Parc François Mitterand where there are pleasant walks and children's games. The town also offers a sports complex inlcuding 3 pools with a wave machine, 2 squash courts and a bowling alley. There is a 4 day guitar festival in winter (details from the Tourist Office), and the Albert Camus Conference Centre. An unusual museum is the Musée de l'Hospice Saint-Roch which houses a collection of medical artefacts dating from 16th - 19th century. An extension to the museum is a modern art gallery.

Tourist Info: Indres, Loire Valley: Levroux

An interesting town situated 15 minutes from Châteauroux, with a rich cultural history. The town used to be a main centre for the production of leather and parchment, emplying 800 workers at the end of the 19th century. Leather is still produced here today, destined for the world's fashion houses. You can visit the Leather Musuem and discover the ancient traditional craft of leatherwork. You can also see the Quartier des Mégissiers which features ancient houses which weere used for the drying of parchment. The town has some narrow streets and medieval houses, among them the 15th century Maison du Bois which used to be a stop over for pilgrims en route to Sainte Jacques de Compostella. There used to be seven entry gates to the town as part of its defence fortifications but today only one, the Porte de Champange, remains. In the past the town had a château dating back to 990, of which only the ruins Les Tours, remain. There is a panoramic view of the town from here. Other sights include the statue of Le Berger Couché, a work of art by Ernest Nivet, and the Saint Rodéne Fountain. The town has a swimming pool, open from 1st June to 30th August, and tennis courts. There is also the Lake Des Orbidas for fishing, walking and picnics.

Tourist Info: Indres, Loire Valley: Nohant
Mostly known for the large country house where George Sand lived with Chopin for several years during the summer months. There are guided tours available, and visitors can see the puppet theatre made by Sand's son Maurice, and also the splendid dining room where the guests included Balzac, Delacroix and Flaubert. As a tribute to the great musician there is piano festival at the end of July.

Tourist Info: Indres, Loire Valley: Valencay

Valencay is famous for its wine, its cheese and its magnificent château. The Château overlooks the town and is unusual in that it is furnished inside. During the high season there are sound and light shows with actors dressed in period costume, and the gardens of the château are worth visiting in their own right. The Valencay cheese is made from goats' milk and has a rich and creamy texture, and a distinctive truncated pyramid shape. Valencay also boasts a car museum, featuring vehicles previously owned by the France's most wealthy citizens. There is also the Talleyrand museum which houses a collection of furniture from the château. Market day is Tuesday am. Mini golf, tennis and swimming are also available in the town.