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DESTINATION JARDINS’ IN THE LOIRE VALLEY REGION
Fall under the charm… For garden-lovers – experts or otherwise – the Loire Valley Tourist Board has recently published a new brochure entitled "Destination jardins en région Centre". Historic, contemporary, medieval, vegetable, botanical – this brochure has selected 24 wonderful gardens for you to discover in the Loire Valley, Berry and Eure et Loir regions. There is a page for each garden, and features on special moments in the year and organised events, all of them bound to make you want to spend some time with friends or family in these gardens, unique, exceptional places to be discovered and rediscovered each season…
The Loire Valley Region boasts an internationally recognised national heritage that is a nature lovers heaven. For those looking for natural treasures, the region is the place to find them. This brochure gives a taste of these secrets and unspoiled treasures, and will entice seasoned enthusiasts as well as those that are simply curious ! Now protected by 3 Natural Regional Parks (Brenne - Loire Anjou Touraine - Perche), this brochure is your key to discovering all the region has to offer.
Celebrities
Kings, queens, writers and artists… Many personalities over the centuries have had close ties with the Centre Region. Whether they were born here, came to settle or were just passing through, they have all made their mark, leaving us a territory rich in places still inhabited by the presence of their famous guests.
Here is a gallery of some of the figures who have marked the History of France
Known the world over for its châteaux, the Centre Region has built itself a truly royal reputation. Amboise, Blois, Chambord… all echo to the footsteps of courtiers, queens and kings.
Among them, Charles VII surrounded himself with some of the region's most famous personalities. Before leading him to his coronation, Joan of Arc freed Orleans from its English besiegers, and she has been commemorated ever since in the city on the occasion of the Fêtes Johanniques.
Another exceptional woman was Agnès Sorel, the “Dame de Beauté”, whose remains lie in Loches. She was the king's mistress and there are still doubts surrounding the circumstances of her death.
Jacques Cœur, meanwhile, was the King's financier and the most famous citizen of the city of Bourges.
Inspired writers and artists
In the Middle Ages, the region saw the creation of the Roman de la Rose, the code of courtly love. Guillaume de Lorris started writing it and Jean de Meung took over from him on his death. It was also in Meung-sur-Loire that poet François Villon was imprisoned two centuries later. Rabelais also felt a strong attachment for Touraine, and Pantagruel, Gargantua and their comrades visited no less than 68 places in the area, while the author sang the praises of the local produce and notably the wine of Chinon, near the house of his birth La Devinière, in Seuilly.