Well, you can’t ask for much more than the most beautiful chateaux in France. Nothing beats a day out at Chambord, Chenonceau or one of the dozens that line the Loire riverbank. Immerse yourself in French history, or simply wander around the glorious formal gardens . You won’t be alone though, as they attract tourists from around the world, throughout the year. This means that property in the Loire valley is an excellent investment, with plenty of short-term rental opportunities.
Expect more than pretty chateaux though – the Loire valley is also home to some of the most attractive towns in France. Blois, Tours and Bourges are just three that have historic centres to explore and, as the French would say, “un patrimoine exceptionnel”. The climate is ideal, with warm, sunny summers and mild winters. Ideal for growing grapes, which is why you will find plenty of vineyards and some excellent local wines .
You can also expect to see an excellent mixture of property – from renovation properties in the Loire countryside, at bargain prices, to beautiful family homes and mini-chateaux. Buy a property in Centre Val de Loire and you can be certain that you will be in good company.
Many visitors come to the Loire valley via Paris, and the international airports are easy to access by car or train. However, there is also a small and convenient regional airport in Tours. You can fly direct to London, Dublin, Porto, Marrakech, Marseille and Montenegro.
Centre Val de Loire has a well-developed railway network that connect to major cities in France and Europe. The TGV high-speed trains run from Paris Montparnasse to Tours (around 1 hr 15 mins), Orleans (around 1hr 5 mins) and Bourges (around 1 hr 57 mins). Indeed, the French Government is investing 300m euros in the regional SNCF network in 2023, with much of this being spent on modernising the Paris-Orleans-Limoges-Toulouse line.
Accessing the Loire valley by car is easy, and you get to drive through the beautiful vineyards and countryside. The A10 motorway connects Paris to Tours, while the A71 heads south and west from Orleans to Clermont-Ferrand and the French Alps. The A28 heads north and will take you to Le Mans and then up towards the ferry ports.
The market in Centre Val de Loire has been strong in recent years, throughout all six departments. On average, prices rose between 4-6% last year, with the lowest prices being found in Indre, and the highest in Indre et Loire. Obviously, you will pay a premium for property in one of the larger towns (Tours, Orléans, Bourges, Blois or Chateauroux), although none of these are major cities. Tours, for example, has a population of around 136,000.
You will find that property in a town or village that attracts a high footfall of tourists, also attracts a premium for both sales and rentals. So, if you want to have a view over the Chateau de Cheverny, or Chateau Royal d’Amboise, then you will pay a pretty penny for the privilege.
The good news is that property throughout the region offers exceptional value for money, and there are a plethora of pretty towns and villages to choose from. Our property portfolio in the Loire valley typically ranges from townhouses for well under 100,000 euros, up to mini-chateaux and majestic country estates. This is definitely a region where “local knowledge” is worth its weight in gold, you will find that our agents on the ground have a wealth of knowledge about the prettiest towns, best markets and tourist traps to avoid. They will also be able to advise on local property prices and help you find your dream house in the Loire Valley.
Free PDF to read and downloadWe have to start with the Loire valley between Surry-sur-Loire (in the Loiret) and Chalonnes (in the Maine-et-Loire, which is in the adjoining region of Pays de la Loire). The reason we start with this is that the whole stretch along the river is classified as a UNESCO world heritage site. It is classified as an “outstanding cultural landscape of great beauty, containing historic towns and villages, as well as great architectural monuments (the chateaux)”. You will be hard pushed to find a more romantic spot than the best Loire valley castles – amongst the best are Chambord, Villandry, Amboise, Chenonceau and Blois. The gardens at Villandry deserve a special mention as they are truly special.
The gothic cathedral in Chartres is another special place to visit. It is one of the most significant in France and we particularly recommend an evening visit in the summer, where the cathedral and surrounding buildings are beautifully illuminated. A trip to Tours should also be at the top of any visitors list – wander round the historic old town and you will see beautiful half-timbered houses, you are likely to end up at the pretty Place Plumereau, which is the ideal spot for grabbing a coffee and watching the tourists who come to visit the nearby cathedral. Don’t miss the amphitheatre either, it is one of the largest in France.
We also recommend a visit to the historic walled town of Richelieu and its weekly market. This area used to be one of the most important truffle suppliers in the 19th century, and the market is full of stalls selling both the oil and the truffles themselves. Add in the colourful array of local food and wines and it is a chef’s dream. If you are looking for a bit more hustle and bustle, then head to Orléans. It is a university town, and the students, tourists and locals give it a lovely atmosphere, it’s easy to get around on the tram system too. Then why not head out to the forest of Orléans, with its deer, wild boar and 180 species of birds.
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Orléans - Montargis - Pithiviers
€1936 per m2
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Bourges - Saint-Amand-Montrond - Vierzon
€1222 per m2
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Chartres - Châteaudun - Dreux - Nogent-le-Rotrou
€1917 per m2
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Châteauroux - - La Châtre - Le Blanc
€1077 per m2
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Tours - - Loches
€2163 per m2
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Blois - Romorantin-Lanthenay - Vendôme
€1532 per m2
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The Loire valley (also known as the garden of France) boasts stunning landscapes, rich history, and world-famous chateaux. Once the home of kings, queens and nobility they offer a unique glimpse into the opulent lifestyles of the French aristocracy. The region is dotted with vineyards, fields of sunflowers and beautiful riverside towns. The best way to explore is by bicycle, on one of the many dedicated cycle paths, or why not treat yourself to a hot-air balloon ride and get a different perspective on this beautiful area.
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REQUEST MORE INFORMATIONCentre Val de Loire is a region with a rich architectural heritage, reflected in the property type and style. Of course, you will find hundreds of chateaux in the Loire valley. These grand properties were built by the French nobility and are known for their opulent architecture, vast gardens and ornate interiors. They often feature steep, slate, roofs, large windows and detailed turrets and balconies.
Staying with nobility and affluent families, you will also find a good selection of country estates and Manoirs (or manor houses). Smaller in size, but still representing a significant architectural heritage, they were built by the wealthy landowners and nobles. Manoirs have steep pitched roofs, made from slate or clay tiles, and are adorned with large windows that provide plenty of natural light.
The Loire valley is also home to many prestigious Maisons de Maitre, which are similar to Manoir but more symmetrical in style. They typically feature wrought-iron balconies, large windows with shutters and hipped roofs. There are also many farmhouses, the most notable of which often come with a prestigious vineyard attached. Country houses in the Centre Val de Loire are popular with both domestic and international buyers, due to the beautiful surroundings, attractive prices, and ease of access.
New build property in the Loire valley is seeing an increased demand as it can be built to the latest environmental standards and is particularly energy efficient. Well located building land is becoming more difficult to find, but our local agents are well placed to dig out the best plots.
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Loire-Atlantique - Nantes - Châteaubriant-Ancenis
Mayenne - Laval - Château-Gontier
Sarthe - Le Mans - La Flèche
Maine-et-Loire - Angers - Cholet
Vendée - La Roche-sur-Yon - Fontenay-le-Comte