Tourist Information Great value chic & boutique Bed & Breakfast and Holiday Cottages 7km from Vierzon, in the Loire Valley Tourist Information Information Touristique The Chateaux of the Loire Valley To name but a few within easy reach:  Valencay, Chenonceau, Amboise, Chambord, Cheverney, Villandray, Valencay, Blois and Bouges.   Les Chateaux de la Loire Pour ne citer que les plus proches: Valencay, Chenonceau, Chambord, Amboise, Cheverny, Villandry, Valencay, Blois et Bouges. Valencay - Chateau and Car Museum The closest of the Loire's Chateaux is Valencay.  Construction began in 1540 and it is now thought to be an excellent example of renaissance architecture.  The Orangerie, located in the landscaped grounds is a good place for a glass of the local wine.  The town of Valencay has a selection of little boutiques and cafes.   The car museum is also well worth a visit. The Royal City of Loches An ancient Royal citadel, stunning Loches has a great deal to offer.  There is a walled city with Royal residence and sinister dungeons, a bustling medieval town with many shops, cafes, restaurants, boutiques and museums, and of course the famous Troglodyte cave dwellings.  There are also two big street markets every week on Wednesday and Saturday.   Loches makes a good day trip when combined with Valencay.  Its just a 40 minute drive from Valencay through incredible scenery.    Cite Royale de Loches The City of Orelans and Joan of Arc Orleans is an ancient Roman city. It had its place in history secured by a French peasant girl called Joan of Arc in 1429. Today, you'll find a flamboyant gothic cathedral, romanesque churches, historic mansions and impressive museums. Make sure you find the old part of the city with its bustling cobbled streets and wall-to-wall restaurants and boutiques.  Orleans has a bike hiring scheme which is a great way of getting around.  There is also a state of the art tramway.  The City of Bourges A small but perfectly formed city full of cobbled streets and half timbered houses, all dominated by its huge and splendid Cathedral, St Etienne, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Monument.  St Etienne is famous, not only for its gothic architecture but also for its collection of 13th century stained glass windows and astronomical clock.   For breath-taking views across Bourges and far beyond, don't miss the 360 step walk up the cathedral tower.   La ville de Bourges Une ville de taille moyenne mais parfaitment agencee autour de rues pavees et de maisons a colombages, le tout domine par la magnifique et impressionnante Cathedrale de St Etienne, site classe au patrimone mondial de l'UNESCO.  St Etienne doit sa renommee a la fois a son architecture de style gothique et a sa collection de vitraux datant du 13e siecle ainsi qu'a son horloge astronomique datant du moyen-age.   Bourges, Le Département Du Cher http://berrichou.free.fr/  Sancerre This medieval, wine-producing town is perched on the top of a rock 312 metres high.  Its cobbled, winding streets are full of little boutiques, art galleries, churches, towers and architectural gems.  There are cafes and restaurants galore and of course plenty of places to taste the famous local wine.  There is a 360 degree birds-eye view from the top of Sancerre's tower.  From here one can see acres of vines laid out like a Romanesque quilt, sprinkled with lakes and chateaux. Massay Gites et Chambres D’Hotes Wij verwelkomen onze vele Nederlandse gasten! Lake Eguzon South of Massay and away from the usual tourist routes is Lake Eguzon.  The lake is surrounded by thick old oak woodlands, alive with ruined castles, secret bridges and little villages full of pretty stone cottages, cafes and restaurants. The lake has something for everyone: water-sports, swimming and walks with breath-taking views.  For a great boat tour of the lake and for canoe hire visit the village of Crozant on the south side of the lake.  For water skiing, sailing and swimming, visit Chantome on the west side. La Parc Naturel de la Brenne "The land of a thousand lakes." The natural environment is a haven for wildlife.  One of the best spots is the beautiful Bellebouche swimming and boating lake.   "Le pays aux mille etangs" est un espace reste a l'etat naturel qui regorge d'animaux sauvages.  L'un des coins que nous vous conseillons plus particulierement est le magnifique etange de Bellebouche ou l'on peut se baigner et faire du bateau. Aubigny-sur-nere Franco-Scottish alliance Chateau de Culan From the 12th century onwards, on the southern-most edge of the Cher region, sprang this incredible stone fortress at Culan.  It is one of the oldest, occupied castles in the world and has a fascinating and volatile history.  There are guided tours of the castle and medieval gardens. Amboise A beautiful little town nestling under a fortified chateau, Amboise is proud of its association with Leonardo da Vinci who lived out his last days here under the patronage of Francois I.  Scale models of da Vinci's inventions including a automobile, an armoured tank, a parachute and a hydraulic turbine, can be seen at the manor house where he lived and worked, Le Clos Luce, and you can take a stroll in the park surrounding the house, Parc Leonardo da Vinci. Blois Best known for its flamboyant Renaissance chateau, the town of Blois is a gem.  Built on two hills, winding cobbled streets and long flights of steps take one round a town full of lively cafes and restaurants and intriguing little boutiques.  We strongly recommend taking the horse drawn cart tour which starts from the front of the Chateau.  Blois is just a 40 minute drive from Massay and well worth a visit. Pergode de Chanteloup A 44 metre high, Chinese style folly built in 1775.  From the top you can see an impressive view of the Loire Valley.  There is a lake with boats for hire and a collection of old-fashioned games to play.  You can even buy a picnic hamper brimming with delicious local treats.  A wonderfully romantic beauty spot. The City of Tours Lively Tours has the cosmopolitan air of a miniture Paris with wide 18th century avenues, formal public gardens, cafe-lined boulevards and a thriving university. Wine  The Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, Quincy, Touraine and Reuilly wine regions are all very close by.  Local growers and producers are always happy to give wine tasting tours.   Le Vin Les regions du Sancerrois, Pouilly-Fume, Quincy, la Tourraine et Reuilly sont toutes a portee de main, et les viticulteurs et producers locaux se feront un plaisir de vous proposer des degustations. La Sologne The gites are five minutes drive from the edge of the Sologne with its thick woodlands, copious lakes, flora and fauna and of course La Chasse.  The Parisians' playground with its lively villages and towns.   Try visiting Romorantin Lanthenay, a lovely, lively Sologne town with many good shops, restaurants and a car museum.     Nos gites sont a cinq minutes en voiture de la Sologne, avec ses forets denses, ses nombreux lacs, sa flore et sa faune et bien evidemment La Chasse.  L'aire de jeux du Parisien avec ses villages et ses villes chaleureuses. Chateau de Meillant A flambouyant, gothic castle with a wonderfully eccentric interior, dating from 1473.  Entry to the castle is with a tour guide only as this is still a private house.  In the grounds you will find stables full of vintage cars and carriages, tack and harness rooms, an ice house, a childrens summer house a witches house and more. The village is well worth exploring.  We stop at our favourite cafe, L'Heure des Thes, opposite the entrance to the Chateau for delicious coffee and cakes, or lunch. Paris just one and a half hours by train With everything that Paris has to offer.  Take a day trip by direct train right into the heart of the French capital.   Paris est a une heure et demie de train Zoo Parc de Beauval One of the best zoos in France is just a short trip away.  White tigers, elephants, zebras, apes.  Its got the works.  We have paid a few visits to this zoo with our children and its always a great success.