Tourist Information Loiret, Loire Valley France

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Loire Valley

Tourist Information Loiret,
Loire Valley France

Things to see and do in Loiret, Loire Valley France

Loiret Tourist Info: Loire Valley: Beaulieu-sur-Loire
Beaulieu-sur-Loire is a pleasant town 180 km south east of Paris, an ideal relaxing stopover. There are four walking circuits in and around the town, and 3 cycle routes taking in the hamlets in the region. Visit the Eglise St Etienne, take a canoe on the river Loire. Tourist Office, Place d'Armes, 45630 Beaulieu-sur-Loire. Tel 02 3835 87 24.

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Loiret Tourist Info: Loire Valley: Briare-le-Canal

A town of 6000 inhabitants and situated 120km from Paris, Briare is best known for the iron aqueduct which was designed in the Gustav Eiffel workshops. The canal measures 625m in length and connects the Canal de Briare on the north side to the Canal Lateral à la Loire. The Trousse-Barrière park comprises 57 hectares and includes a fitness track, a lake and a botanical section. There are two museums, one devoted to the boatmen of the canal and river and the other, the Musée de la Mosaique et des Emaux with exhibits of mosaics made from locally produced tiles. Canoes and electric boats can be hired for river trips, and other activities include a boules court, tennis and fishing. Details from the Tourist Office at 1 Place Charles de Gaulle. Tel 02 38 31 24 51.

Loiret Tourist Info: Loire Valley: Gien

Gien has existed since prehistoric times and offers a good range of sights to see and events throughout the year. The black and red brick Château Anne de Beauyeu used to be the home of the eldest daughter of Louis XI, who became the regent of France in 1483. She took charge of her younger brother who came to the throne a year later as Charles VII. the château now houses the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, a museum with displays of hunting artefacts including guns, tapestries and hnting horns. Visit the Pont de Gien, an important bridge spanning the river Loire, an view the vestiges of the town's ramparts which date from the 14th century, from the Jardin des Boulards. La Maison des Alix at the corner of the Rute Hotel de Ville and Place Jean Jaures is a rare example of a 15th century house which was once the property of the wealthy Alix family. The church St Jeanne d'Arc, originally 15th century, has been rebuilt following its destruction by bombing during the second world war.The Château d'Arrably dates from the 13th century and has a square entrance tower and a dungeon. There are several marked walking trails in and around Gien, details from the Tourist Office. The town is also well known for the production of fine china ware, and a factory and shop are located on Place de la Victoire. There are several fêtes and festivals throughout the year including an Agricultural Fair, La Fête de la Musique which takes place in June, and the Chansons de Ma Ville which is a national singing competition, created in 1996 and taking place during a weekend in July. For dates, visit the Tourist Office in Place Jean Jaurés. Tel: 02 38 67 25 28.

Loiret Tourist Info: Loire Valley: La Ferté-St-Aubin

Situated an hour and a half from Paris, the key attraction is the 16th & 17th century château which makes a great family day out. There is the château itself, and also a horse museum on the same site. There is an old style kitchen with utensils of the day, plus an old style schoolroom. In addtion a small farm with animals that children can stroke, and a garden where they can dig in the soil. There are two riding centres, the Centre Equestre des 4 Routes and the Ferme de la Poulardière. For golfers, Golf de Marcilly is situated at Domaine de la Plaine. The Tourist office is on Rue des Jardins, 45240 La Ferté-Saint-Aubin. Tel 02 38 64 67 93.

Loiret Tourist Info: Loire Valley: Lorris

A vibrant town with a mixture of ancient and modern. The Eglise Notre Dame dates from the 12th century, with an organ which is classified asa historical monument, one of the oldest in Europe. and the Hotel de Ville from the end of the 15th century. The covered market at Les Halles dates from 1286 and sells local produce, shoes and leather goods. There are three theatres, a library, cinema, swimming pool and sports complex at 6 Rue Antoine de Saint Exupéry. The town hosts festivals throughout the year. Details from the Tourist Office at 2 Rue des Halles. Tel 02 38 94 81 42.

Loiret Tourist Info: Loire Valley: Malesherbois

Situated in the north of the Loiret department on the River Essonne and close the Forest of Fontainbleue. There are two châteaux, which are not open to the public however. The Church of Saint Martin has a bell tower dating from the 12th century, and the town's history is evident at Le Lavoir des Tanneurs, the old wash houses dating from the 18th century. On the banks of the river is the Gate to the old Botanical Gardens. There is fishing in the Essonne (licence needed). Traditional production of goats' cheese can be seen at La Chèvrerie de Boisminate. There is an 18 hole golf course, Le Golf d'Augerville-la-Rivieres, and 5 km from the town is a Leisure Complex with swimming pool, mountain bike track, tennis, an adventure park, mini golf and an observatory. Walking trails are available from the The Tourist Office which is situated at 19/21 Place du Martroy, Tel 02 38 354 81 94.

Loiret Tourist Info: Loire Valley: Montargis

Montargis is a pretty market town of some 15,000 inhabitants. It is situated at the confluent of the River Loing and the Briare Canal which is one of the oldest canals in France, consturcted in 1604. The town has been likened to Venice as it is criss-crossed by over 120 bridges, and it has three stars for its 'ville fleurie' status. There is a wide variety of parks and gardens including the Lac des Closiers. You can have a guided tour of the bridges in July and August (in French) which starts from the Tourist Office and lasts about an hour. The town is also famous for its connection with China, and attracts a number of Chinese tourists. The Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping lived in France for five years, and during this period was emplyed in Montargis as a shoe maker. There are various plaques to him around the town. Other attractions include the Girodet Museum featuring works from local artists from the 18th century, the Musée des Tanneurs which pays tribute to the town's history as a major shoe manufacturer, and the Musee de la Pailleterie which has exhibits of local rural and industrial crafts. The Museé du Gâtinas is devoted to archaeology. Churches include the 16th and 16th century Eglise de la Madeleine. The town is also famous for the production of pralines which were first made here at the time of Louis XIII and are still sold from the same shop. There is a medieval quarter, and markets on Wednesday and Saturday at Place Giraud. The Fôret of Montargis offers over 4000 hectares for walking, and in the town there is a municipal swimming pool, tennis, horse riding, karting and quad bike hire. The Tourist Office is located at Place du 18 Juin, BP 223, 45002 Montargis. Tel 02 38 98 00 87.

Loiret Tourist Info: Loire Valley: Orléans

Orléans is situated an hour south of Paris and is the capital city of the Loire region, famous for its connection with Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orléans who was born in 1412 in the village of Domremy. The Joan of Arc Museum is at 3 Place Général de Gaulle, Tel 02 38 52 99 89. It is open daily except Mondays. This is the house in which Joan is reputed to have stayed as a guest in 1429. The original building was detroyed by fire in 1940 and the exisiting building is a scale replica. There is also the Joan of Arc Centre at 1 Place Gambetta, Tel 02 38 65 45 33, open Tuesday pm to Saturday 10 - 12 and 2 - 6pm. The centre houses a collection of 22,000 printed docuaments relating Joan of Arc, as well as manuscripts dating from the 15th - 17th centuries. The town also honours Joan of Arc with a yearly Joan of Arc Festival in May with street entertainment, music and dancing. There are many fine buildings in Orléans including the former Hotel Groslot which is now used as the Hotel de Ville. The interior has some fine furniture and paintings, and there is a 19th century statue to Joan of Arc outside. There is also a beautiful garden to the rear which contains some of the ruins from the Saint Jacques Chapel. Churches in Orléans inlcude the wonderful Cathedral of Ste-Croix, Saint Donatien Church, Notre Dame de Recouvrance with fine stained glass and reniassance sculptures, and St Paul's Cathedral dating from the 15th century. The Cathedral has a 16th century statue of the Black Virgin in the Chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Miracles. St Aignan's Church was built in the 6th century, originally to house the remains of Saint Aignan who was a bishop of Orléans. There is also the Collegiate Church of Saint-Pierre-le-Puellier. Orléans has many fine buildings including 16th century houses on Rue d'Escure, close to the Hotel Groslot. Other attactions include the History and Archaeology Museum at Hotel Cabu, Square Abbé Desnoyers, which has a collection of artefacts from the Roman and medieval periods, The Multimedia Library on Place Gambetta, the Gerard Philippe Theatre at 1, Avenue du Président John Kenndy, with concerts, exhibitions, dance and theatre all year round. The Fine Arts Musem is on Place Sainte-Croix, and the Natural Sciences Museum at 2, rue Marcel Proust. For shopping there is the Place d'Arc which is a retail centre on the Rue du Bourgogne. Around here there is a wide variety of restaurants, boutiques and chain stores. The river Loire provides opportunities for walking and canoeing, and the town celebrates the river with the annual Loire Festival in September. The town's old main cemetery has been transformed into the Visual Arts Institute. November sees a sees a 3 day Christmas market at the Parc d'Expositions with more than 200 stalls. Just outisde the town is the Forest of Orléans for walks and picnics. Details of all attractions from theTourist Office at 2, Place de l'Etape. Tel 02 38 24 05 05.

Loiret Tourist Info: Loire Valley: Pithiviers

Pithiviers has two flower "Ville fleurie" status and is well endowed with parks and gardens. Jardin de la Mairie at Place Denis-Poisson is open daily except Sundays and Bank Holidays. Park du Domaine de Bellecour is on Avenue Maréchal Berthier, and has a children's play area and fitness track. There is the Jardin de l'Octroi on Rue de Boynes, the Jardin de Chantoiseau on Rue de Rouloirs and the Parc Séjourné on Rue du Safran. Apart from these there is a municipal indoor swimming pool, a boules pitch on Boulevard Pasteur, 3 gymnasiums and a skate park at Place Chantoiseau. The town's museum Musée de l'Art et de l'Histoire houses a fine collection of African, Chinese, prehistory and medieval art and artefacts. Concerts take place at the Donjon Theatre, and another attraction is the Transport Museum and the Steam Railway. Tourist Office Tel: 02 38 30 50 02.

Loiret Tourist Info: Loire Valley: Sully sur Loire

Sully sur Loire is situated on the south bank of the river Loire between the Orleans forest to the north and Sologne to the south. It has approximately 6000 inhabitants and is best known for its imposing Château. The château is open to visitors daily from April to September from 10am to 6pm and from October to March from 10am to 12.00 and again from 2pm to 5pm. Only guided visits are possible and the château is closed in January. It is owned by the department Loiret, and is in the process of refurbishment. Sully sur Loire hosts an International Music Festival in June, with classical concerts in a marquee in the grounds of the Château. Another festival is the 2 day Fête de la Sange which is organised around the chaâteau on the theme of nature and fishing, and attracts in the region of 150 craftsmen and exhibitors. For dates check with the Tourist Office on Place de Gaulle Tel 02 38 36 23 70. Other sites are the Eglise Saint Germain, an imposing church constructed between the 15th and 18th century. Although damaged during the second world war, the church was restored between 2004 and 2006. It features the highest wooden spire in France. An 18 hole golf course is situated at Domaine de l'Ousseau, 45600 Sully sur Loire. Tel 02 38 36 52 08. Another of the town's attractions is the Hotel-Dieu, which features a statue of Maximilien de Béthun, one of the Dukes of Sully, on its paved courtyard. The town's bridge over the river Loire is the seventh on the site and was constructed in 1986 following the collapse of the sixth bridge after a freak day when the temperature plummeted to -25°C. Also in the town is the Maison de la Renaissance, dating from 1565, the only reminder of the prosperity of the town during the 16th century. Plenty to see and do, including the municipal park which features a replica of the Grotto at Lourdes.