Just 3 kilometres from Tours, the Priory of St. Cosmas in Indre-et-Loire is a former monastery which 12th-century canons considered as "a heaven on earth making it easier to reach the real heaven". The priory was also a place for pilgrims to stay on the way to Santiago de Compostela. Yet that is not the reason for its fame, which is due to the presence of Pierre de Ronsard, who was a prior there from 1565 to 1585. His main activities were poetry of course, as well as gardening, an occupation he particularly enjoyed. He lived at the priory until his death and his tomb is located in the remains of the old church. The prior's lodge, which was Ronsard's final home, has been converted into a museum about the poet's life, where you can see his bedroom and study.

The gardens form a harmonious group and offer a peaceful place to walk and breathe in all the scents, especially those of the omnipresent roses.

Monday: 10:00 AM – 12:30 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Tuesday: Fermé
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 12:30 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 12:30 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 12:30 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:30 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 12:30 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM

Now the capital of Touraine, Tours was the capital of the kingdom of France in the 15th and 16th centuries. The city has kept many traces of its past and invites you to discover them. A very lively neighbourhood, the old town and its famous Place Plumereau are the beating heart of Tours. Lined with half-timbered houses and mansions, this pedestrian square is brimming with restaurants and cafés. Also discover the city's flagship monument, the Gothic Cathedral of St. Gatianus with a richly decorated Flamboyant façade. Inside, you can see a 13th-century choir, admire splendid stained glass windows from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries, and see the tombs of the children of Charles VIII. Adjacent to the cathedral, the Psalette Cloister is composed of three galleries combining Flamboyant and Renaissance architecture. Tours' old town also includes the royal castle. One famous figure who spent time there was Joan of Arc, following her victory in Orleans. Today, it is a mecca for contemporary art.

Art and history enthusiasts should check out the city's various museums. Situated in the Goüin mansion with its Renaissance architecture, the Touraine Archaeological Museum documents the history of the region from Prehistory to the 18th century. The Museum of Fine Arts is located in the former Archbishops' Palace and exhibits works from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. If you are a lover of fine vintages, the Touraine Wine Museum should appeal to you.

Then enjoy a little free time in one of the city's green spaces. The lush, verdant Prébendes d'Oé garden is ideal for a stroll. It is one of six Touraine gardens classified as "Remarkable Gardens". The Gloriette Park, meanwhile, is ideal for various outdoor activities and hosts many events such as the kite festival or music festivals.

We cannot talk about Tours without mentioning its wide range of entertainment for visitors. For instance the Light Trail (Parcours Lumière): over one kilometre, illuminated monuments tell the history of the city. In the summer, the Renaissance Nights offer a sound and light show projected onto the façades of the Museum of Fine Arts. Also worth mentioning is the summer guinguette (open-air café event) with its range of entertainment for young and old alike, which is always a great success.

Built from the 10th century onwards on the banks of the Loir, to defend Anjou against Norman and English invasions, and then converted into a holiday residence in the late 15th century by Jehan de Daillon, chamberlain of Louis XI, Le Lude Castle is now owned by the Count and Countess of Nicolaÿ. It is a remarkable reminder of the evolution of French architecture. Examples include its imposing medieval round towers surrounded by deep moats, its Renaissance façade, said to be Francis I, with a multitude of sculpted details, its court of honour with marble plaques, and its classical Louis XVI façade.

Open to visitors from early April to late September, the inside of the castle is richly decorated, with a number of attractions: the great library from the 19th century, a Louis XVI style oval drawing room, a cabinet of paintings by the Raphael school, a dining room adorned with Flanders tapestries, vaulted kitchens complete with copper utensils...

The house is surrounded by superb gardens, an ideal place to take a walk or enjoy a moment's reverie: the Spur Garden with its rose garden full of Chinese roses, the French-style garden along the Loir, designed by landscape gardener Édouard André, the Spring Garden with its rocaille decoration, full of perennials and scented shrubs, a botanical walk through the park and more.

Events for your diary: the Gardeners' Festival in the first weekend of June, and the Kitchen and Gourmet Garden Days in July and August.

Monday: 02:30 PM – 05:30 PM
Tuesday: 02:30 PM – 05:30 PM
Wednesday: 02:30 PM – 05:30 PM
Thursday: Fermé
Friday: Fermé
Saturday: Fermé
Sunday: Fermé

While the capital of Touraine is the gateway to the Loire castles, it also has a few treasures of its own. A short walk from the banks of the Loire and the Gothic cathedral, don't miss the Museum of Fine Arts based in the former Archbishop's Palace, which is now a listed Historic Monument.

Tours Museum of Fine Arts opened in 1801 thanks to an initial donation of 30 paintings from the future Louvre Museum, and has several masterpieces on display: the Ex-voto by Rubens, panels by Mantegna dating from the Italian Renaissance, and a large collection of French paintings from the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, including works by Champaigne, Delacroix, Monet, Degas, Debré and Peinado, as well as furniture and art objects from various eras.

It also has one of the largest collections of Italian Primitives after the Louvre Museum and the Petit Palais museum in Avignon.

Be sure to take a stroll in its French-style garden, where a Lebanese cedar stands proudly as a listed "Remarkable Tree of France", and take a look at a curiosity: Fritz, a stuffed elephant that once belonged to the Barnum circus and was killed in Tours in 1902 after becoming uncontrollable…

Monday: 09:00 AM – 12:45 AM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Tuesday: Fermé
Wednesday: 09:00 AM – 12:45 AM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Thursday: 09:00 AM – 12:45 AM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Friday: 09:00 AM – 12:45 AM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Saturday: 09:00 AM – 12:45 AM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Sunday: 09:00 AM – 12:45 AM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM

Although it was the last of the great Renaissance châteaus in the Loire Valley, the Château de Villandry is best-known for its magnificent gardens. In the early 20th century, when the château was abandoned and due to be demolished, Joachim Carvallo bought it and decided to create five French formal gardens in a Renaissance style.

The decorative Kitchen Garden consists of nine squares forming a multi-coloured chequered plan. Flowers and vegetables alternate as the seasons go by, creating different patterns of colours.

The Ornamental Garden is divided into two areas called salons. The first one, called the Love Gardens, is formed of four squares of box hedges, each one representing a different kind of love. There is tender love and its hearts; passionate love and its broken hearts; flighty love with the very representative horns of love, where the colour yellow symbolises betrayed love; and finally tragic love represented by dagger blades and swords. Lyres and harps adorn the second salon, devoted to the theme of music.

Then you have the Water Garden, whose central Louis XV mirror-shaped pond brings a sense of calm and tranquillity. The Herb Garden contains medicinal and aromatic plants. And finally, the maze will entertain children and adults alike.

The last garden was created in 2008 to celebrate the centenary of Joachim Carvallo's ambitious project. This is the Sun Garden, located on the château's highest terrace. It consists of three chambers: the Children's Chamber with outdoor games, the Sun's Chamber with its pond shaped like an eight-pointed star, and the Clouds' Chamber with rose bushes and shrubs.

In the woods overlooking the gardens, a belvedere offers a viewpoint over the whole wonderful complex.

Monday: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Tuesday: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Wednesday: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Thursday: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Friday: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Saturday: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Sunday: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM

Located not far from Tours, Langeais Castle in Indre-et-Loire is one of the oldest castles in the Loire area. Its history dates back to the end of the 10th century, when Foulques Nerra, then Count of Anjou, began building it. But in the 15th century, King Louis XI turned it into an imposing fortress with the addition of towers, ramparts, a wall walk and a drawbridge. All that remains of the old castle fort are the ruins of the keep, which you can see in the garden.

The castle also boasts a beautiful Renaissance façade and its interior is richly decorated. Period furniture, tapestries, monumental fireplaces and art objects adorn the various rooms such as the guard room and bedrooms. The wedding hall is particularly noteworthy, as the union between King Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany was celebrated there in 1491. A recreation of the scene with wax figures, accompanied by a sound and light show, allows visitors to relive the event.

Outside of the castle, take the time for a stroll in the park all the way to the belvedere, where you will have a stunning view of the Loire Valley.

Monday: 09:30 AM – 05:30 PM
Tuesday: 09:30 AM – 05:30 PM
Wednesday: 09:30 AM – 05:30 PM
Thursday: 09:30 AM – 05:30 PM
Friday: 09:30 AM – 05:30 PM
Saturday: 09:30 AM – 05:30 PM
Sunday: 09:30 AM – 05:30 PM

Build on an island in the middle of the Indre during the reign of Francis I, Azay-le-Rideau Castle in Indre-et-Loire is a splendid example of Renaissance architecture. Although construction began during the 16th century, it was not until the 19th century that the castle was finally completed, including the creation of the landscaped park. Subtly combining French and Italian styles, Azay-le-Rideau Castle embodies romanticism in all its splendour. And its water mirror, reflecting the building's image in the River Indre, is no exception. Inside, you can admire beautifully furnished rooms, a remarkable grand staircase with carved ornaments and a décor inspired by four centuries of history. Outside, the architecture is just as sophisticated, with a 19th-century corbelled corner tower and a large dormer window combining Gothic style and Italian decoration. Let's end the visit in the landscaped park full of winding paths lined with exotic plants, and offering a beautiful view of the castle.

Monday: 09:30 AM – 06:00 PM
Tuesday: 09:30 AM – 06:00 PM
Wednesday: 09:30 AM – 06:00 PM
Thursday: 09:30 AM – 06:00 PM
Friday: 09:30 AM – 06:00 PM
Saturday: 09:30 AM – 06:00 PM
Sunday: 09:30 AM – 06:00 PM

The Possonnière manor house in Couture-sur-Loir is where Pierre de Ronsard was born in 1524. The birth house of the famous poet and its very romantic gardens, especially the rose garden, are open to the public.

Some thirty kilometres south-east of Le Mans, bordering the village of Jupilles, Bercé National Forest is one of the most beautiful forests in France. It covers 5,400 hectares and is made up of 3,000 hectares of oaks and 2,400 hectares of conifers.

Famous for the quality of its oak trees, this verdant territory boasts some remarkable specimens, which can reach a height of fifty metres! To admire them, head to Les Clos Forest, a protected area full of immense old oaks, over 300 years old...

Take a path or trail, on foot, horseback or mountain bike, and take advantage of this haven of peace, which is home to 65 different bird species, to relax and enjoy some fresh air. Dotted with springs and streams, Bercé Forest also contains two beautiful natural sites for you to discover: the Hermitière Springs and La Coudre Fountain, the source of Le Dinan, complete with a discovery trail.

Crossing the south of the department of Sarthe, the Loir Valley is full of charm, with its verdant banks, pretty villages, windmills and washhouses. The picturesque village of Bazouges-sur-le-Loir and its castle built from the 15th to the 18th century, surrounded by water and greenery; the small town of La Flèche, with its Carmelite castle and national military Prytaneaum established by an old Jesuit college founded in 1604 by Henry IV; the small character town of Poncé-sur-le-Loir and its elegant Renaissance castle lined with beautiful gardens, are some of the sights to see along the way. It is also an ideal destination to indulge in the joys of fishing and canoe-kayaking!

In a lush setting deep in the forest, at the heart of the Sarthe Valley, La Flèche Zoo is one of the five biggest zoological parks in France. Its 14 hectares are home to over 120 animal species from all five continents – that's over 1,200 animals! – including some rare breeds. Mammals (elephants, white tigers, polar bears, Arctic wolves, red pandas from China, monkeys...), reptiles and birds live in areas that replicate their natural environment, such as the Argentinian pampas, the taiga and the Australian bush. Children and adults can enjoy a wide range of activities, including amazing displays with sea lions, birds of prey and parrots.

Monday: 10:00 AM – 05:30 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 05:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 05:30 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 05:30 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 05:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 05:30 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 05:30 PM

Although its construction began in the 15th century, the history of Ussé Castle in Indre-et-Loire goes back way further, as shown by the fortified towers. It was then embellished over the centuries, resulting in the beautiful edifice we see today, where the white stones of the Renaissance façade go perfectly with the Classical pavilion from the late 17th century. Wander around the castle's various rooms, all adorned with tapestries, carved wood panelling, paintings and furniture from the 18th century. In the castle's entrance hall, look up and admire the sumptuous trompe-l'oeil ceiling from the 17th century. Several famous figures of the day contributed to improving the castle. Mansart created the great staircase leading to the King's chamber, used by Louis XIV. Le Nôtre designed the French formal gardens, where there are century-old orange trees and Lebanese cedars brought back by Chateaubriand in 1817. The terraces were created by Vauban. Ussé Castle is also thought to have inspired Charles Perrault to write his fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty. In fact, if you take a stroll on the wall walk, you might well bump into some characters from the story...

Troglodyte village, Trôo is a picturesque town dominating the peaceful and green Loir valley. Not to be missed: the delightful troglodyte houses dug into the cliff. After a walk in the charming narrow streets of the village, you must stop off at the "speaking well" and the collegiate church. To enjoy a beautiful view of the Loir valley, the viewpoint indicator on top of the hill is the place to go with its wonderful panoramic view of the surroundings.

Lavardin is a charming medieval village not to be missed: Its bridge of Gothic style spanning the Loir River, its bank decorated with weeping willows that is a great place for daydreaming, its Romanesque church containing magnificent old frescoes, its beautiful houses, its troglodyte houses and the ruins of its feudal castle dominating the village. Moreover, this magnificent village appears on the list of the Most Beautiful Villages of France.

At the confluence of the Loire and Vienne rivers, with its waterside houses, Candes-Saint-Martin is unquestionably a pleasant place to stop in Indre-et-Loire. You will be charmed by its narrow, flowery streets and its large country residences made of tuffeau stone with slate roofs. On a wander around the town you will surely end up at the imposing fortified collegiate church, built in the 12th and 13th centuries and dedicated to St. Martin. What's more, it offers a beautiful view of the confluence where the Loire and Vienne rivers meet. Another interesting viewpoint is at the top of the village's hill: from there, you will have an unobstructed view over the surrounding landscapes. At the heart of the Loire Valley, Candes-Saint-Martin can pride itself on being listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France.

Between Tours and Saumur, let's explore Chinon in Indre-et-Loire. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town enjoys an ideal location at the heart of the Loire Valley. The character of this ancient medieval town is alive and well in its old town and its castle. Strolling through the narrow streets of Chinon is like taking a trip back in time with its pretty half-timbered houses and old dwellings. Among them are the Red House (Maison Rouge), one of the oldest in the city, the former Bailiwick's Palace and the Hôtel des Etats Généraux, a mansion now housing the Museum of Old Chinon. Then take the little sloping path to the castle, a genuine royal fortress that still has its vast defensive walls.

As well as offering a lovely view of the town and the surrounding area, the castle is worth a closer look to learn about its history. For example, it was there that Charles VII met Joan of Arc in 1429 before she liberated Orleans. Chinon also has beautiful religious buildings such as the Chapel of St. Radegund. Built in a Romanesque, semi-troglodyte style, its mural paintings from the end of the 12th century depict the Plantagenets. To find out more about local art history, Le Carroi Arts and History Museum invites you to discover a rich collection, the centrepiece of which is the Cope of St. Mexme, a cloth woven from silk and gold in the 12th century.

And how could we talk about Chinon without mentioning its vineyards? Spanning 2,300 hectares, their varieties of red grape, like the renowned Cabernet Sauvignon, and their rosé grapes delight the palates of amateur oenologists. Several cellars in the area are open to the public if you would like to sample the region's finest wines.

The charming village of Montsoreau, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France, and its stunning white tufa stone château, magnificently dominate the Loire River. The Renaissance Château de Montsoreau, made famous by the novel "La Dame de Montsoreau" ("The Lady of Montsoreau") by Alexandre Dumas, contains an exhibition circuit about the Loire River called "Imaginaires de la Loire" ("Imaginations of the Loire").

After visiting the castle, do not miss a walk along the beautiful flower-filled narrow streets of the village.

Founded in the 12th century and run by abbesses until the 18th century, Fontevraud Abbey, the burial place of the Plantagenets, used to be the most powerful monastic complex in France. Today, the royal abbey is a cultural centre where you can visit a 12th-century Romanesque abbey church containing recumbent effigies of the Plantagenets, the Grand-Moûtier cloister, a chapter house, refectory and remarkable Romanesque kitchens.

Fontevraud regularly hosts concerts, conferences and exhibitions.

Monday: 09:30 AM – 06:00 PM
Tuesday: 09:30 AM – 06:00 PM
Wednesday: 09:30 AM – 06:00 PM
Thursday: 09:30 AM – 06:00 PM
Friday: 09:30 AM – 06:00 PM
Saturday: 09:30 AM – 06:00 PM
Sunday: 09:30 AM – 06:00 PM

Nestling in the heart of the Anjou vineyards, the medieval town of Saumur, nicknamed the pearl of Anjou, is a very scenic place with its magnificent turreted château overlooking the Loire Valley and old town stretching along the wild river. Surrounded by fortifications, the castle of the Dukes of Anjou is houses a decorative arts museum and a horse museum. It also offers a stunning panoramic view over the roofs of the town and the Loire River.

Below, the historic centre of Saumur is the perfect place for a stroll – along the narrow streets edged by old houses and around Saint-Pierre square where there are old timber-framed houses and a church containing stalls and tapestries.

Worth seeing as well: the Notre-Dame-de-Nantilly Romanesque church, which contains a magnificent 16th- and 17th-century tapestry collection.

The municipality of Lémeré in Indre-et-Loire, about ten kilometres from Chinon, boasts a medieval building that looks like a fortress: Rivau Castle. With its keep, moat, drawbridge and wall walk, it indeed has all the characteristics of a stronghold. Once inside, you will probably be impressed by its imposing features and lavish decoration. But first of all, go up the staircase to try and decipher its numerous inscriptions dating from the 15th century. As your visit continues, you can admire monumental Gothic fireplaces, Brussels tapestries and a collection of Gothic and Renaissance furniture, as well as contemporary art. Look up and you will see a fresco painted by an Italian master. In the room known as the Feast Room, the scene of "Balthazar's Feast" is depicted in an oil painting by a Dutch master during the Renaissance. To accompany your visit, an audio trail describes what daily life was like in the castle: tournaments, feasts, musicians... A real immersion in the past.

Continue your tour in the stables, a listed Historic Monument, where the audiovisual projections transport you through time to meet a farrier and a groom.

Then head to the beautiful listed Remarkable Gardens. With fairy-tale gardens, a scent path and a vegetable patch, come and stroll through the castle's 14 gardens, where more than 450 varieties of roses grow. A place of enchanting sights and fragrances!

Monday: 10:00 AM – 10:01 AM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 10:01 AM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 10:01 AM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 10:01 AM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:01 AM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:01 AM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:01 AM

Towering over the Loire and the town of the same name, the Royal Château of Amboise in Indre-et-Loire is a reminder of a glorious past. Originally a medieval fortress, it was converted into a sumptuous Renaissance château from the 15th century onwards at the behest of several Kings of France. First there was Charles VIII, who was born at the castle. He brought artists over from Italy to give it a First French Renaissance style. But he died prematurely without being able to complete his work. His successor Louis XII then undertook to continue the work and the Heurtault Tower was built as a result. After taking over from him, King Francis I decided to raise the height of the Royal Lodge, where you can admire a beautiful collection of Gothic and Renaissance furniture. He also brought in Italian artists to embellish Amboise, like Leonardo da Vinci, whom he appointed to the role of first painter, engineer and architect of the King. He gave him the use of the Clos Lucé manor located near the castle, where the inventor spent the last three years of his life. A little anecdote: the two men used to meet up by taking an underground passage that connected the two buildings. The Clos Lucé manor is open to visitors and contains creations and models by the genius inventor. Not to be missed under any circumstances.

Let's go back to the Château of Amboise to discover rooms richly decorated with wood panelling, columns and carved fireplaces. Examples include the King's Lodge of course, and the Guard Room featuring rib vaults and tapestries from the 16th century. The Council Chamber, perhaps the most beautiful room in the castle, with its pillars decorated with fleur-de-lis. Or the Cupbearer's Room, also decorated with period furniture and 17th-century tapestries. Continue your tour all the way to the ramparts, where the Flamboyant Gothic Chapel of St. Hubert is located, containing the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci. Afterwards, treat yourself to a stroll in the castle's beautiful gardens, where the view of the Loire Valley will enchant amateur photographers.

Between July and August, the night show "In the Court of King Francis" tells the story of the various events that took place during the reign of Charles VIII, Louis XII and Francis I. The programme includes image projections, water and light shows, dances from the period and fireworks.

Monday: 09:00 AM – 12:30 AM, 01:30 PM – 05:00 PM
Tuesday: 09:00 AM – 12:30 AM, 01:30 PM – 05:00 PM
Wednesday: 09:00 AM – 12:30 AM, 01:30 PM – 05:00 PM
Thursday: 09:00 AM – 12:30 AM, 01:30 PM – 05:00 PM
Friday: 09:00 AM – 12:30 AM, 01:30 PM – 05:00 PM
Saturday: 09:00 AM – 12:30 AM, 01:30 PM – 05:00 PM
Sunday: 09:00 AM – 12:30 AM, 01:30 PM – 05:00 PM