In the neighbourhood of Blois: Chambord (Renaissance marvel), Cheverny and Chaumont.
Near Tours (in the valley of the Loire): Amboise, home of Charles VIII; Langeais, feudal castle; Villandry, Ussé and Luynes.
Valley of the Vienne: Chinon, first meeting-place of Joan-of-Arc with Charles VII.
Valley of the Indre: Azay-le-Rideau, Renaissance Museum; Loches, residence of Agnès Sorel, favorite of Charles VII.
Valley of the Cher: Chenonceau, built on a bridge in the bed of the river; Valençay.
In the neighbourhood of Saumur and Angers: Montreuil-Bellay, Brissac, Serrant and Durtal.
All the great cities around here are interesting: Angers, Middle-Age castle, cathedral, "Vieux Logis" and important industries; Saumur, imposing feudal castle and town-hall; Tours, cathedral, towers of St. Martin and Charlemagne and great bridge over the Loire; Blois, magnificent castle (Louis XII and François I); Orleans, cathedral, Renaissance town-hall and immortal Joan-of-Arc souvenirs.
ONE TRAVELS BEST IN FRANCE WHEN A MEMBER OF THE "TOURING-CLUB DE FRANCE"