Experience a fantastic holiday from a comfortable holiday home in Central France. Experience the time of your life in the Burgundy, Limousin wine region or the Center-Val de Loire region. The heart of France is full of cozy villages, unspoilt nature, prestigious castles and cultural attractions.
South of the romantic Paris in Île-de-France is the Center-Val de Loire region. Together with Pays de la Loire, this region is also called the Loire or the Loire Valley. The name arose because the Loire River crosses the region from east to west. A stay in a holiday home in the Loire Valley involves seeing the most beautiful chateaux. The region has over 140 castles that were built for the French king and his court during the Renaissance. Start your castle route at the castle of Chenonceau from 1432. Nicknamed "Château des Dames", this castle was mainly inhabited by women including Catherine de Medici, Diane de Poitiers and Louise of Lorraine. The presence of these ladies can be seen down to the smallest details in and around the castle. Continue your route to Amboise castle. Located on a rock, the adjacent terrace gardens offer an enchanting view of the city of the same name. The next castle on the route is the Blois castle located on the Loire River. View in this royal castle the 13th-century Tour Du Foix (tower) and the Salle des Etats (state hall) which are the oldest preserved parts of the castle. The Louis XII wing, which now houses the Musée des Beaux-Arts, with late Gothic and Italian influences and the remarkable half-open staircase built by Frans I, should not be missed during a visit to Château de Blois. Less than 20 kilometers away you will find the famous castle of Chambord: a true masterpiece with more than 400 rooms and 1000 windows. The castle route ends with a trip to the Sully-Sur-Loire castle. See the medieval paintings and tapestries here and end the day with a walk through the adjacent park.
Burgundian enjoyment just like the dukes and kings in the 15th century do from a holiday in Burgundy. This region is part of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region east of Center-Val de Loire in the center of France. The lover of a good Pinot Noir or a fresh Chardonnay is in the right place in this wine region, although the region will also feel like a warm bath for the specialty beer fanatic. Take a trip to the town of Beaune and enjoy a dark Jovi’Ale beer here at Brasserie Artisanale de Bourgogne. In addition to the excellent gastronomy of the region, there is much to discover in Burgundy in the cultural field. Many historic buildings from Roman times such as churches, abbeys and basilicas have been preserved. The former Cistercian abbey of Fontenay, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is certainly worth a look. And if you are in Beaune for a dark Trappist, then also visit the Hospices de Beaune. This hospital with a richly decorated roof was built as a poor hospital by Nicolas Rolin in the Flemish-Burgundian style. The remarkable building is located in the center of the town and nowadays serves as a museum.
The Limousin region is ideal for a serene and restful holiday. Grass plains, wooded areas and winding rivers characterize the French region. Leave the tourist bustle behind and discover the beautiful nature from a holiday home in this sparsely populated region. North of Limousin, for example, you will find the Millevaches Regional Natural Park adjacent to the Massif Central. Here untouched nature can be experienced while swimming, walking, sailing and cycling. For the adventurer among us, a walk from the rocky Suc au May mountain peak located on the puy la Monédière to the valley of Freysselines is not to be missed. At the end of the afternoon, when the sun sinks slowly behind the relief of the Limousin, make sure you are back at the top for this beautiful view. On the lakes that Millevaches has: Vassivière and Les Bariousses, water sports are mostly practiced in the summer months. In the winter, cross-country skiers and snow lovers visit the Gentioux slopes. The Limousin is not only the name of the region; the red cow breed in the region is also called that. The meat of these cattle is known for its superior quality and unique taste. The chefs in Limousin prepare this tender steak very well, so sit down and let it taste!
A little to the south of central France we find the Auvergne region. This region is named after the Gallic tribe the Arverni who resist the Romans in the area. Auvergne is very popular among tourists due to the presence of the Massif Central mountain range. This green heart of France consists of dormant volcanoes, high mountain peaks and plateaus with views that make you quiet. The most famous volcanoes in the area are the Puy de Dôme, the Chaîne des Puys and the Plomb du Cantal. Step on the "Panoramique des Dômes" slow train and enjoy a magnificent view of the Chaîne des Puys at the top of the Puy de Dôme 15 minutes later. For the active among us it is possible to make intensive hikes or mountain bike tours through the volcanic area. Do you not know fear? Experience the Massif Central in full glory during a paragliding flight. Another must see in the area is the Livradois-Forez Natural Park. This green oasis is less known to the general public and is therefore the perfect destination for undisturbed walks through the landscapes and meadows. In the area also visit the medieval city of Ambert where you can indulge your taste buds with the famous blue cheese Fourme d'Ambert. Or take a piece of this traditional cheese with you on the cheese board after dinner at the holiday home.