Villefrancoeur, Loir-et-Cher, Centre

In this village on the banks of the Creuse, which marks the boundary between the Vienne and Indre-et-Loire departments, you'll discover the Notre-Dame de Vaugiraud spring, which owes its origins to the legend of a grazing calf that refused to be fed, stepped aside and struck a patch of earth with its hoof, spurting out a fountain.

You'll stroll through fields and woods, ending up on the pretty banks of the Creuse with its Henri IV bridge, its lock and its beautiful church!

Soar above Val de Loire and discover the prestigious Châteaux of the Loire Valley on a royal 90-minute flight on an ultralight aircraft! SOAR ABOVE VAL DE LOIRE AND DISCOVER THE PRESTIGIOUS CHÂTEAUX OF THE LOIRE VALLEY ON A ROYAL 90-MINUTE FLIGHT ON AN ULTRALIGHT AIRCRAFT. Val de Loire, a region registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for the numerous castles built on its territory. Start your introductory session by meeting your pilot instructor, a native of the region who is passionate about its history, and who will accompany you throughout the day’s activity. After you discover the universe of ultralight aviation, go on board the plane and fly over the historical sites that give Val de Loire its prestige and fame. You will have the unique opportunity of flying over: * The Loire Valley * Château de Chaumont sur Loire * Amboise * The Pagoda of Chanteloup * Chenonceau * Montrichard * The Pontlevoy Abbey * The Medieval Château de Fougères sur Bièvre * Château de Cheverny * Villesavin * The Estate of Chambord * Château de Ménars * Château of St. Denis sur Loire * Blois, the Town of Art and History. Spend an unforgettable and exciting moment as you discover the locations that played an important role in French history.

Soar above Val de Loire on this ultralight-aviation initiation session. Admire the Châteaux and Towns of Art and History! SOAR ABOVE VAL DE LOIRE ON THIS ULTRALIGHT-AVIATION INITIATION SESSION. ADMIRE THE CHÂTEAUX AND TOWNS OF ART AND HISTORY. An enthusiastic pilot instructor from the region will guide you throughout this unique experience. After being introduced to the universe of ultralight aviation, you will visit exceptional sites. Once comfortably on board the motorised ultralight aircraft, start flying over the Loire Valley and head towards the famous Renaissance Château in Chaumont-Sur-Loire. Then, fly over Blois, the Town of Art and History, and its famous castle, before heading back to the base in Chouzy. A thrill-filled escapade through the air above a UNESCO World Heritage Site awaits you!

Fly over the Château in Chambord or Chenonceaux on an introductory flight aboard an ultralight aircraft! Have a unique experience in Val de Loire, a region registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. FLY OVER THE CHÂTEAU IN CHAMBORD OR CHENONCEAUX ON AN INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT ABOARD AN ULTRALIGHT AIRCRAFT! Your pilot instructor, an enthusiastic and well-informed native of the region, will welcome you upon arrival. He will accompany you throughout your initiation session. Discover the universe of ultralight aviation before taking flight on a breath-taking aerial escapade above the prestigious Renaissance Châteaux. Choose one of two locations: The Château de Chambord: fly over sites in Blois, Cheverny, Ménard, Chaumont and Chouzy The Château de Chenonceau: fly over sites in Chaumont, Amboise and Montrichard Feast your eyes and enjoy this sensational and unique experience above the essential historical sites in Val de Loire, a region registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

Discover the secrets of piloting an ultralight aircraft and take the controls during an introductory session. Fly above the Châteaux and other exceptional sites in Val de Loire! DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF PILOTING AN ULTRALIGHT AIRCRAFT AND TAKE THE CONTROLS DURING AN INTRODUCTORY SESSION. FLY ABOVE THE CHÂTEAUX AND OTHER EXCEPTIONAL SITES IN VAL DE LOIRE! Start your training by meeting your pilot instructor, a native of the region who is passionate about its history. Learn about the universe of ultralight aviation with your instructor and learn the intricate details of flying. Board the passenger side and observe how the plane is controlled while familiarising yourself with the take-off, turns, landing, and other flying techniques. As you ascend through the sky, appreciate the beautiful landscapes of the region, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, take the controls and have an exciting expiring piloting the aircraft as you see historical sites that have given Val de Loire its fame and prestige. Choose between: * The Châteaux de Chaumont-sur-Loire, Cheverny and Chambord * The Châteaux de Chaumont-sur-Loire, Amboise and Chenonceau Have an unforgettable and exciting moment as you discover the locations that played an important role in French history.

ArrayYour Experience The château in Chaumont-sur-Loire has lived a colorful history. It was burned to the ground by King Louis XI in the 15th century and changed hands from Catherine de Medici to Diane de Poitiers in the 16th century. Unusually for a French castle, the castle managed to escape significant damage during the revolution. Still, it is a place full of surprises, being both a historical monument and an art and nature center. Both the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire and the International Garden Festival make up the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire. During your visit, you will get to admire the beautifully furnished rooms, the grand spiral staircase and several works of art on display. The most impressive feature of the chateau, though, is the stunning view over the Loire from the terraces. Another highlight is the stables. Prince Amédée de Broglie is credited for upgrading it with running water and electric lamps at a time when even the grandest chateau had none. There is also the International Garden Festival that takes place every year. It brings together garden designers from all over the world to use their imagination to create a garden based on the annual theme. In 2020, the theme is “Return to Mother Earth”. It is open until 1st Nov 2020.

DISCOVER THE CHÂTEAU DE CHAMBORD AS WELL AS ITS FRENCH GARDENS WITH A SKIP-THE-LINE TICKET! DISCOVER THE CHÂTEAU DE CHAMBORD AS WELL AS ITS FRENCH GARDENS WITH A SKIP-THE-LINE TICKET! Enjoy a visit at your own pace at one of the most famous castles in the Loire: The Château de Chambord. You will discover its history since the start of its construction back in the 16th century. As a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981, the castle is a known site for its Renaissance architectural style. Inside, you will have access to more than 60 rooms and see over 4500 artworks. Among the stunning decor, you will have the chance to admire a double-revolution staircase, arches and terasses. you will also have access to the castle's temporary exhibitions. You will then have the opportunity to visit the castle's french gardens. Renewed in 2017, they spread over 6 hectares and have a wide variety of trees, flowers and plants.

ArrayYour Experience King François I built the Château de Chambord after his victory in the Battle of Marignan in 1515. It was constructed not as a residence, but as the symbol of his power and the French Renaissance. The castle is located inside an enormous park of 5,000 hectares and contains about 400 rooms, over 80 staircases, 365 fireplaces, and plenty of towers, high ceilings and pointed domes. A major highlight of your visit here would be the famous double helix staircase. Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, the open staircase is designed in a way that you can go up one side without meeting or making eye contact with someone who is descending on the other side! Your ticket also gives you access to more than 60 rooms open to the public and to temporary exhibitions (according to the cultural program of the time). Moreover, you can explore the castle's grand gardens, home to a vivid range of flora and fauna, at your own pace.

ArrayYour Experience Step into the world of royalty by visiting the Royal Castle of Amboise, a stunning castle on the banks of the Loire river. The architecture of this picturesque castle, a classic representation of late Gothic and early Renaissance architecture, will leave you in awe. With your priority access, you can skip the long ticket lines and gain direct entry to the castle, where the lifestyles and secrets of the French court will be revealed to you. Learn about the kings who reigned from the castle at the dawn of the Renaissance, as well as the other members of the French court and artists who were invited to stay in the medieval fortress. See first-hand how extravagant their lives were by admiring the extensive collection of Gothic and Renaissance furniture within the castle. One of the most notable guests at the Amboise Castle was Leonardo da Vinci, who you can pay respects to in the castle’s chapel, where he lies to rest. Thanks to the latest innovations in the field of augmented reality, the HistoPad© offers you the opportunity to rediscover, in situ, spaces that have now disappeared and to immerse yourself in historical atmospheres: royal audiences and banquets, the seat of the ramparts and battle, construction sites, diving into the jails...the journey is open to all! End your visit with a walk in the sublime gardens, classified as "Remarkable Gardens" in 2017, overlooking the Loire, a river classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visit the impressive and elegant Château d'Amboise, an important historical site overlooking the Loire Valley. VISIT THE IMPRESSIVE AND ELEGANT CHÂTEAU D'AMBOISE, AN IMPORTANT HISTORICAL SITE OVERLOOKING THE LOIRE VALLEY. From its royal dwellings and watch towers to its vast gardens, this prestigious castle offers visitors plenty of refined sites to explore. The Château d'Amboise boasts artistic elegance from the Renaissance period and offers a remarkable panorama of the Loire Valley. Once a former medieval fortress, it was transformed into the royal residence under the reign of French Kings Charles VIII and François I. Whether you choose the self-guided or audio-guided tour, you'll discover the exceptional collection of Gothic and Renaissance-style furniture in the royal appartments. You'll be free to explore the areas that interest you, including the impressive watch towers, the Saint-Hubert Chapel which contains Leonard de Vinci’s remains, and the ornate gardens which look out across the Loire. Be swept away by the charm and beauty of this stunning Renaissance castle in Val de Loire!

ArrayYour Experience The Château du Clos Lucé, formerly called Manoir du Cloux, is located in the center of Amboise, France. Built in 1941, this luxurious residence building has been passed on to several famous owners throughout history. While it stands in all its Renaissance glory, decorated royally on the inside - the Château is most popularly known for being the Leonardo Da Vinci’s last home. With the invitation of Francis I, Da Vinci moved into the royal french residence in 1516 and went on to spend the last three years of his life here. Besides a splendid collection of art and sculptures, the Château boasts a wide display of the Italian Maestro’s best inventions. You will be able to witness and take photos of architectural wonders such as The articulated glider, The Tank, The Catapult, The Mechanical Drum, and more. Learn all about his inspirations and his little secrets that you will only find out here, at your own pace! Wrap up your informative, self-guided tour with leisure time at the lush park and gardens or at your own expense, tickle your taste buds to a delicious meal in one of the three restaurants available on site.

Nave from the 15th century, chapel from the 13th centuy, (old monk chapel), open on the nave in 1808, dungeon, bells from the 11th century.

Manoir de la Gauberdière: 1494 - 1505 The Manoir de la GAUBERDIERE is a typical late-15th century Norman manor of the Perche area. Attached to the right hand side of the building is a bread oven and bakery. The outbuildings opposite date from the same time. To the left of the Manoir, the chapel dating from around 1540 is typically renaissance. Free entry to the grounds, the chapel (including the interior) the outbuildings, the great hall and the bakery. Visitors receive a tour leaflet and there are information boards around the site.

18th-century château with a 19th-century grounds. Outdoor visit of the park and the vegetable garden. Created in the 19th century, the Lorière park is an English-style garden with lawns, woods and groves of exotic trees: Sequoias Wellingtonia, Calabria black pines, Lebanon cedars, Virginia junipers and a spectacular western red cedar. As you stroll through the park, discover lovely views to the south and west of the hills of the Perche region. The walled vegetable garden was redesigned in the spirit of vegetable plots of yesteryear and has been awarded the "Potager de France" label. The rose garden has been awarded the "Jardin Remarquable" label.

In a contemporary building bearing the French High Quality Environmental Standard label, come and taste our cider, apple juice, Pommeau and Calvados. Family-run 22-hecatre estate of cider apple orchards since 1990, organic farming. Shop with column still. Video ‘cider of the past and present’ (20 min) in French and English. Tasting session: cider, apple juice, Trahant liqueur, cider jam, Calvados. Shop. Fête du Cidre during the last weekend of October.

Castle from the 17th and 18th century. Outside tour only.

In an authentic Percheron setting, and after a warm welcome near the mill, set off with Michel to meet a dozen or so horses of all ages, while you listen to the stories of a genuine Perche "breeder". Michel is always happy to share his expert knowledge and you can't help but feel his passion…

Picnic table at Condé sur Huisne

The Ste Gauburge Priory, agriculture, historical costumes, the percheron horses, the forest, hedged farmland, craft industry, all that are part of the museum. Discovery path in the country side explaining its history and evolution. Peasant garden. Temporary Exhibitions, workshops, conference, complete this presentation of the rural world during the 19th century up to the 60s Workshop around the oven, demonstration of clothes washing, and visit of the bees world.

Manor from the 16th century, outside tour of gardens and service quarter. Possibility to visit the inside on written request.

The Sainte-Gaubuge priory is originally a hamlet very well preserved. All the houses are located around the priory. The building is from the 13th, 15th and 18th century. The canons of St Denis are at the origine of the most beautiful architecture sites. Rich carved decorations (13th and 15th century), the house of the prior has magnificient chemineys listed (15th century), vault (13th century), guided visits: weekend, bank holidays, holidays and july and august/ Documentation center open on appoinment. information bureau and coffee house.

Traditional cuisine and set-price workday menus.

The dishes are elaborated with fresh and regional products so that you find only quality food in your plate. At the Moulin de Basse-Roche, you will be able to taste a modern and worked kitchen in a refined and neat context.

Discover in this charming village a typical café restaurant that offers many animations. It is located close to the Jules DESBOIS museum

Enjoy a traditional French restaurant in Noyant

Home cooking. M Hubert is a butcher and caterer and offers a cuisine with local meats. Open from Tuesday to Friday for lunch from 12 to 2pm. Catering service. Closed the first 3 weeks of August

Restaurant grill pizzeria, rooms on the floor and on the ground floor.

Enjoy a typical french restaurant proposing midday menus

Opening 03/04/2020 > 01/11/2020 Welcome to the heart of the Loire Castles! Huttopia Les Châteaux campsite and its covered pool welcomes you on a magnificent natural park.

Chambres d'hôtes

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La Pinière : Near the côteaux of the Loir and its vineyards, this corner of Touraine will let you recharge your batteries in preserved countryside on the banks of the Dême (ideal for fishing).