10 Must-See Sites in Centre-Val de Loire

The Château de Chambord has an astonishing architectural feature from the Renaissance period: a double spiral staircase. In the heart of an immense wooded park in Sologne, stands this majestic 16th century palace with its lantern tower which is part of the main building. It houses a central staircase leading to the terraces.

In the form of a helix, it is beautiful and rather fun. With its two interlocking spirals, two people can use it simultaneously without crossing each other. You can, however, be seen through the skylights inside. This staircase is attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, although he would certainly not have been able to direct the work himself, as his death occurred before construction started.

Parc Floral de La Source is a magnificent green space perfect for walking, relaxing and having fun. Located in the La Source district of Orléans, its main entrance is located on Avenue du Parc Floral, opposite the university. Its pathways, with benches, border well-kept gardens. It is also a zoo with a butterfly greenhouse, a tropical area with parakeets and, near the parrot playground, an educational farm with donkeys, dwarf goats and some farmyard animals.

On the banks of the Loiret river, which flows in front of the castle, you can even admire a group of pink flamingos. On the Rue du Gobson side, you can play a game of mini-golf with your family.

The gardens at the Château de Chenonceau are some of the most beautiful in France. This Loire château, which spans the River Cher in the region of Touraine, is an idyllic place to stroll. You will pass through two magnificent reconstructed French Renaissance gardens. One belonged to Diane de Poitiers with its fountain and the other to Catherine de Medici with its circular pool.

Enjoy losing yourself the yew-tree maze and succumb to the delicious scents of the flower garden. Also, if you like beautiful bouquets, discover the floral workshop in the farm's courtyard. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings in summer, the gardens are illuminated by a sound and music show, providing a magical setting for a romantic rendezvous.

The Domaine de Cheverny has no less than four themed gardens to offer. It is located in Sologne, not far from Blois. Opposite the trophy room, next to the château's doghouses, is a kitchen and flower garden where vegetables and flowers create a colorful and fragrant setting. Toward the Orangery is an expansive landscaped area with large flower beds.

This is the apprentices' garden, where you can admire the château's magnificent main facade. It adjoins a fun maze constructed with plants. On the edge of the pond, the garden of love features six bronze statues hidden in its groves. Between March and April, don't miss the bright colors of the tulip garden in full bloom.

The historic center of Bourges boasts two beautiful examples of Gothic architecture, a cathedral and palace. Saint Stephen's Cathedral, with its two towers of differing size, dominates the square where its five sculpted porches open onto - fitting with its five interior naves. Climb the steps of its highest tower, the Tour de Beurre, to admire a panorama of the city.

To the north-west, near the Berry museum, you will find the Palais Jacques Cœur. This 15th-century mansion was built in the pure, flamboyant Gothic style. Note the carved friezes and the details on the keep's balcony, for example, which is decorated with scallops alternating with hearts, recalling the name of its sponsor.

Place Plumereau is the perfect spot to relax on a bistro terrace in a historic setting in Tours. This charming square, nicknamed "Place Plume" by the locals, is at the nerve center of Old Tours. It is surrounded by traditional half-timbered houses and some beautiful Renaissance-style residences.

In the midst of this rich architectural heritage, the numerous cafés and restaurants set up their tables on the terrace, occupying almost the whole square when the weather is fine. The surrounding cobbled streets are not lacking in character, with pretty 15th and 16th century half-timbered houses and, further north, the preserved remains of the Gothic church of Saint-Pierre-le-Puellier.

Château de Maintenon is the former residence of Madame de Maintenon and a "small" Renaissance-style château. Located an hour from Paris, near Chartes, it stands on the banks of the Eure River, in the city centre. With its apartments decorated and furnished with period furniture, it tells us the tales behind the great history of France.

You can visit the lady's chamber, the king's salon or the grand gallery, which presents a collection of portraits of historical figures. The park has been redesigned following Le Nôtre's plans to bring its magnificent formal gardens back to life. In the background, the ruins of an unfinished aqueduct designed by Vauban are poetically reflected in the water of the canal.

The gardens at Villandry offer an incredible array of colorful plants. To the west of Tours, this Renaissance château on the banks of the Loire boasts some remarkable terraced gardens. Arranged over four terraces, they are divided like this. A sun garden with a central pool and paths arranged to catch the sun are on the first level.

A maze and water garden arranged around a large pool are on the second level. Ornamental salon spaces with formal gardens are on the third level and decorative kitchen garden squares are on the fourth and last level. During the garden's open days in June or the Kitchen Garden Days in early autumn, you have the chance to discover the secrets of the outstanding gardeners who maintain this park of rare beauty.

The Abbeye de Noirlac features a refined architecture dating from the 12th century. Located in Berry, south of Bourges, it overlooks a natural countryside bordered by the Cher river. This unadorned monastic complex is arranged around a central cloister and an abbey church, all built in bright white stone, with few ornaments and more contemporary stained glass windows chosen for their simplicity.

Today, it is a cultural meeting place and its wonderful acoustics are intelligently exploited. There are artists in residence creating music, and many concerts are organized, especially during the summer season. To extend this moment of bliss, you can even take a break in the nearby tea room.

The Brenne Natural Regional Park is a rural area with a preserved natural and architectural heritage. It encompasses 51 towns and districts in the south of the Centre-Val de Loire region. Dotted with small authentic villages, it is characterized above all by artificial ponds, pools, marshes and peat bogs which form a protected wetland. It is the habitat of many insects, birds, amphibians, fish, turtles and aquatic plants.

Crisscross these wetlands in search of the best birdwatching spot on foot on the discovery trails or by bike on one of the 16 cycle routes. On the pond of Bellebouche, the leisure center and fine sandy beach are perfect for relaxing, between bathing and outings by pedal boat or kayak.