Famous castles along the Loire
Since the French Revolution La Touraine has been renamed Department Indre-et-Loire (37). It is hard to avoid superlatives when speaking of this province, so well known by its famous Loire Châteaux which belong to Unesco`s World Heritage List. Chenonceau, Chambord, Blois and Amboise deserve to be specially mentioned.
Saint-Flovier
Les Raffoux is located in the rolling landscape of the Touraine, 2 km from Saint Flovier, a village with about 600 inhabitants, church, town hall, post office, medical centre, pharmacy, elementary school, bakery and small supermarket. On the outskirts of the village there is a tennis court and a garage (maintenance and repairs)
Local market
Loches is widely known for its market, every Wednesday and Saturday morning. Famous for local products such as vegetables and fruits, foie gras and “Rillons de Touraine”, as well as goat cheese (i.e. Ste Maure de Touraine). Furthermore there is : a camping, new public swimming pool and a gym.
Loches
Les Raffoux is at 18 km distance from the medieval town of Loches (about 7000 inhabitants), situated on the Indre-river. The magnificent historic centre borders the Royal Castle dominating the Indre-Valley, high above the city. The castle is famous for its important role in the 15th century when Jeanne d`Arc lived there some time as well as Agnès Sorel, the beautiful mistress of king Charles VII. The castle is in a good condition and is open daily for visitors.
Loches has many amenities: hospital, various pharmacies, medical laboratory, banks, post office and a bus/train connection to Tours (1 hour). In the historic centre there are café’s, restaurants, many bakeries (open on Sunday), butchers, traiteurs and a selection of supermarkets and garages.
Leisure
Image gallery
Culture
The vast countryside presents a diverse scenery. Hills, forests and rivers alternate and pass vineyards and wine estates, public gardens and picturesque villages, all with their ancient churches and castles. Wine making should be specially mentioned, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Vouvray, Chinon and Bourgueil.
Explore the Loire’s majestic castles, such as:
Château de Chenonceau (48 km)
Château d’Azay-le-Rideau (64 km)
Château de Loches (19 km)
Clos Lucé Amboise ( 45 km )
Taste local wines in renowned vineyards such as:
Les Caves du Père Auguste (50 km)
Domaine de la Grange à Bléré (46 km)
Visit picturesque villages such as
Montrésor (28 km)
Loches (19 km)
Chédigne – with beautiful roses at every home
Enjoy nature with walks in the Parc Naturel Régional de la Brenne (10 km).
The inhabitants of La Touraine –les Tourangeaux– are widely known as very friendly.
