Centre-Val de Loire

Regional capital: Orléans 

Departments: Cher, Eure-Et-Loir, Indre-Et-Loire, Loir-Et-Cher, Loiret, Indre

Main Cities: Orléans, Tours, Bourges, Chartres, Blois

It may be a TGV railroad trip of around an hour from Paris, but it is a world away in every other sense. 

Where the capital is all hustle and bustle, life moves at a more leisurely pace in this north-central region, ‘the Garden of France’, known to outsiders as the Loire Valley.

The Loire River and its tributaries have shaped the fertile land into one of the key wine growing areas in France, lined by spectacular Renaissance châteaux including Chambord, Chenonceau, and Amboise.

Properties cost a little more, particularly in the more scenic areas, but there are still some bargains to be found if you are prepared to look, or have renovation in mind.

Property prices

Median prices per m2 for non-newbuild apartments in the third quarter of 2025: Orléans €2,730 +8.5%, Tours €2,940, +7.1%

Median prices per m2 for non-newbuild houses in the third quarter of 2025: Orléans €229,400 +1.9%, Tours €250,000 -2.7%

(figures taken from the most recently available French property report (Jan 26) from the Notaires de France, % year-on-year change: July 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025 / July 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024)

Character of the region

Centre-Val de Loire is also known as the Loire Valley, and is famous for the Loire River and its tributaries which have shaped the fertile land as one of the key wine-growing areas in France. 

It has drawn royalty and nobility to create spectacular Renaissance châteaux including Chambord, Chenonceau, and Amboise amid its green spaces. The capital is Orléans, and Tours the largest city.

Population/density

2.6 million people across 39,151 sq km (Insee figures 2022 [latest available]) = 3.9% of the population

Fact: the region is relatively sparsely populated (66 inhabitants / sq km compared to the national average of 106 / sq km)

Weather

A temperate climate with relatively warm winters (January average 4C) and cool summers (July average 20C).

Local industries

Manufacturing (pharmaceuticals, perfumes and cosmetics – Christian Dior, Shiseido, Procter & Gamble, Gemey-Maybelline and Guerlain), tourism.

Cities and towns

Orléans is the capital and considered to be the gateway to the Loire Valley – it is also known for its association with Joan of Arc. Tours is a UNESCO-listed town, while Chartres is known for its spectacular Gothic cathedral. 

Food and drink

Wine (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Vouvray, Crémant de Loire), goat’s cheese (Selles-sur-Cher, Crottin de Chavignol), rillettes, tarte Tatin. 

Cultural points of interest

The Renaissance châteaux of the Loire Valley (Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise) draw visitors from around the globe, as do the famous gardens at the Château de Villandry. The region is relatively flat and is crisscrossed with cycling paths, including the 800km-long Loire à Vélo trail. 

Major transport points

Airports: Tours Val de Loire (TAF)

Trains: Orléans, Tours, Blois-Chambord, Bourges, and Chartres

Motorways: key motorways include the A10 (Paris-Tours-Bordeaux), A11 (Paris-Chartres-Rennes), A71 (Paris-Orléans-Clermont-Ferrand), A77 (Paris-Nevers), and A20 (Paris-Vierzon-Toulouse).