Centre Val de Loire, the Vallée des Rois

Azay-le-Rideau

Centre Val de Loire is one of 13 regions defined by the territorial reform that took effect on January 1, 2016.

It retained its original geographical boundaries, however, was known as Centre until January 17, 2015.

It includes 6 departments:

Cher (Bourges – 18), Eure-et-Loir (Chartres – 28), Indre (Châteauroux – 36), Indre-et-Loire (Tours – 37), Loir-et-Cher (Blois – 41) and Loiret (Orléans – 45)

Its prefecture is Orléans.

Centre Val de Loire is the 7th largest French region, the 1st cereal region of Europe and attracts 4% of the total population.

It is also the 6th industrial area in France and its local power stations generate 15% of French nuclear energy.

It regroups the three historical provinces of Berry, Orléanais and Touraine.

Finally, it boasts three regional natural parks: Brenne, Loire-Anjou and Perche.

By above all, it includes the Val de Loire, which was listed World Heritage by UNESCO.

This is indeed where the kings of the French Renaissance and their vassals built their magnificent chateaux.

Area: 39 151 km2
Population: 2,580 000 (01/01/2014)