last edited Dec 11, 2019
Things to Do in Central France
Location Map of Central France
Central France
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Travel Themes
- Interests (out of ): Nature ; Culture ; Relaxation-holidays /
Nature-Adventure
Culture
Relaxation-Holidays
By Department
Level of "interest" for each department:
| Nature | Culture | Relaxation-holidays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cher | / | ||
| Côte-d'Or | / | ||
| Eure-et-Loir | / | / | |
| Indre | / | ||
| Indre-et-Loire | / | ||
| Loir-et-Cher | / | ||
| Loiret | / | ||
| Nièvre | / | ||
| Saône-et-Loire | / | ||
| Yonne | / |
By Department
Highlights and special features of the region's departments.
Cher
A department of rivers and hills, Cher is also home to the Sologne and its distinctive landscapes. It also boasts several historical sites, such as the Noirlac Abbey, the historic centre of the town of Bourges, and Apremont-sur-Allier, which is one of the "most beautiful villages in France."
Côte-d'Or
This is wine country, with Burgundy wines, the Grand Crus Route, and their "capital," Beaune, which is well worth a visit. Alongside this wine tourism, Côte-d'Or also offers numerous historical stops with its Cistercian abbeys (Cîteaux, Fontenay...), more or less medieval castles (including the one at Rochepot), and several towns or villages with interesting architecture (the old centre of Dijon, Flavigny, Semur...). To finish, you can also enjoy the landscapes and trails of the Morvan or, in a different style, the Burgundy Canal, developed for walking and river cruising.
Eure-et-Loir
Primarily the department of the city of Chartres and its famous cathedral. Also worth seeing are a few castles, first among them the one at Maintenon, as well as the landscapes of the Perche.
Indre
Though fewer than in neighbouring departments, Indre has several Renaissance-style castles, with Valençay being the most remarkable. Some charming villages like Gargilesse-Dampierre or Saint-Benoît-du-Sault are also worth visiting.
Indre-et-Loire
Everyone has heard of the Loire Valley and especially its famous châteaux. Even if not everyone knows the department's name, this is where most of them are concentrated in Indre-et-Loire, including the most beautiful and well-known, such as Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, Langeais, and Villandry, to name just the main ones. All are part of this department's heritage, making it a "must-see" for any discovery of France.
Loir-et-Cher
Blois, the Loire Valley and its magnificent Renaissance châteaux (including Chambord and Cheverny): this is the heart of French history. Beyond its 24 châteaux open to the public, its thirty or so museums, numerous manors, and religious buildings, Loir-et-Cher is also home to one of Europe's most famous and visited zoos, Beauval Zoo.
Loiret
The area around Orléans marks the beginning of the Loire Valley as you head west. So, there are plenty of beautiful châteaux to visit (La Ferté, Sully-sur-Loire...), and in another domain, the Sologne with its landscapes and walking trails.
Nièvre
Tourism in Nièvre is primarily green tourism with locals, set in a rural landscape, the Morvan Regional Nature Park for eco-nature activities, and the Nivernais Canal for river cruises or hiking and cycling.
Saône-et-Loire
Varied landscapes, the Morvan mountains (with its "famous" Roche de Solutré), plus a rich heritage with abbeys (including Cluny), castles (Pierre-de-Bresse, Cormatin), and even some ancient ruins (Bibracte or Autun) are the main tourist attractions of the department.
Yonne
The department has quite a few castles from different periods, as well as a certain historical heritage found in towns like Sens or Vézelay. For nature or outdoor activities, the Morvan, the Lake Bourdon, and the canals of Burgundy and the Nivernais offer a good range of options.