Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Centre-Val de Loire Region (Centre-Val de Loire)
Centre-Val de Loire Region (Centre-Val de Loire) is located in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France, with its prefectural capital at Orléans. Key sights and travel highlights across the prefecture include Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau, Amboise & Clos Lucé, Villandry Renaissance gardens, Blois Royal Castle, Chartres UNESCO Gothic Cathedral, Bourges Cathedral & Sancerre vineyards.
How to get to Centre-Val de Loire Region
TGV INOUI from Paris Montparnasse to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps / Tours in 1h00; SNCF Rémi trains from Paris Austerlitz to Orléans (1h05), Blois-Chambord (1h25) and Amboise (1h50), plus Chartres (1h05 from Montparnasse). Use our SNCF TGV INOUI, Ouigo & TER Fare & Route Calculator and Rail Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets and regional passes.
Signature local food in Centre-Val de Loire
When visiting cities across Centre-Val de Loire, look out for these regional specialties at morning marchés, boulangeries, and traditional bistros:
- Crottin de Chavignol, Sainte-Maure de Touraine & Valençay goat cheeses
- Tarte Tatin from Lamotte-Beuvron & Pithiviers almond cake
- Rillons & Rillettes de Tours
- Loire freshwater fish with beurre blanc & Fouées bread pockets
- Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Vouvray & Chinon AOC Loire Valley wines
Best time to visit Centre-Val de Loire
Best time to visit Centre-Val de Loire: Apr–Oct.
All 19 cities & municipalities in Centre-Val de Loire Region
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, demographics, rail access, food specialties, and nearby stops:
| Commune (Department) | Type / Status | Population | Area | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tours Tours (37261) | Commune | 136,565 | Regional km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Orléans Orléans (45234) | Commune | 114,782 | Regional km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Bourges Bourges (18033) | Commune | 65,555 | Regional km² | City guide → |
| Blois Blois (41018) | Commune | 45,687 | Regional km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Châteauroux Châteauroux (36044) | Commune | 44,088 | Regional km² | City guide → |
| Chartres Chartres (28085) | Commune | 38,752 | Regional km² | City guide → |
| Joué-lès-Tours Joué-lès-Tours (37122) | Commune | 37,505 | Regional km² | City guide → |
| Dreux Dreux (28134) | Commune | 30,977 | Regional km² | City guide → |
| Vierzon Vierzon (18279) | Commune | 26,365 | Regional km² | City guide → |
| Olivet Olivet (45232) | Commune | 21,520 | Regional km² | City guide → |
| Fleury-les-Aubrais Fleury-les-Aubrais (45147) | Commune | 20,973 | Regional km² | City guide → |
| Saint-Jean-de-Braye Saint-Jean-de-Braye (45284) | Commune | 20,376 | Regional km² | City guide → |
| Romorantin-Lanthenay Romorantin-Lanthenay (41194) | Commune | 17,946 | Regional km² | City guide → |
| Vendôme Vendôme (41269) | Commune | 16,688 | Regional km² | City guide → |
| Saran Saran (45302) | Commune | 16,379 | Regional km² | City guide → |
| Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle (45285) | Commune | 16,298 | Regional km² | City guide → |
| Saint-Pierre-des-Corps Saint-Pierre-des-Corps (37233) | Commune | 15,866 | Regional km² | City guide → |
| Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire (37214) | Commune | 15,763 | Regional km² | City guide → |
| Lucé Lucé (28218) | Commune | 15,755 | Regional km² | City guide → |