48 days in Centre-Val de Loire Itinerary

Renowned for its medieval cathedral built on a hill by the left bank of the Eure River, Chartres is a small city in the Centre-Val de Loire region and capital of the Eure-et-Loir department in northern France.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Chartres Cathedral and Chateau des Comtes du Perche. Appreciate the collections at Le Compa and Chapelle Saint Eman. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Chartres: Chateaudun (Chateau of Chateaudun & Canopee), Eglise Saint Nicolas (in Maintenon) and Tours (Hotel Gouin, Cathedrale Saint-Gatien, &more). There's lots more to do: wander the streets of Chartres Historic Preservation Area, steep yourself in history at La Maison Picassiette, step into the grandiose world of Chateau de Maintenon, and indulge in some personalized pampering at MEN Institut.

To see reviews, photos, and tourist information, go to the Chartres online journey planner.

Sacramento, USA to Chartres is an approximately 16-hour flight. You'll lose 9 hours traveling from Sacramento to Chartres due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Sacramento in November, plan for little chillier days and about the same nights in Chartres: temperatures range from 53°F by day to 40°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Amboise.

Amboise is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France. Get some historical perspective at Le Chateau du Clos Luce - Parc Leonardo da Vinci and Chateau Royal de Blois. Museum-lovers will appreciate Chateau de Chenonceau and Musee d'Art religieux. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Amboise: Valencay (Chateau de Valencay & Musee de l'Automobile), Blois (Maison de la BD, Escalier Denis Papin, &more) and Collégiale Saint-Aignan (in Saint-Aignan). There's still lots to do: explore the historical opulence of Chateau Royal d'Amboise, do a tasting at Plou Et Fils, sample the tasty concoctions at Closerie de Chanteloup - Brasserie d' Amboise, and take an in-depth tour of Eglise Saint-Florentin.

For where to stay, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Amboise trip itinerary website.

You can drive from Chartres to Amboise in 2 hours. Another option is to take a train. In November, daily temperatures in Amboise can reach 54°F, while at night they dip to 43°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Wed) to allow time to drive to Chinon.

On the banks of the Vienne River, Chinon offers access to a rich wine area in the Loire Valley.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Chateau de Villandry and Eglise Notre Dame de Riviere. You'll explore and learn at Musee Balzac - Chateau de Sache and Maurice Dufresne Museum. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Chinon: Langeais (Chateau de Langeais & Eglise Saint Jean Baptiste), L'Eglise de Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois (in Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois) and Port de Savonnieres (in Savonnieres). There's much more to do: step into the grandiose world of Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau, don't miss a visit to Eglise Notre-Dame a La Celle-Guenand, examine the collection at Cave de la Dive Bouteille, and take in nature's colorful creations at Chateau du Rivau.

To find maps, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Chinon trip itinerary builder.

You can drive from Amboise to Chinon in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. In December in Chinon, expect temperatures between 45°F during the day and 36°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Bourges.

For a peek into the architecture of a Roman city, with a monumental gate, aqueducts, thermae, amphitheater, and ruins of the Gallo-Roman walls, visit Bourges, the capital of the Cher department in the Centre-Val de Loire region.

Visit Cathedrale De Bourges and Eglise Saint-Aignan de Brinay for their historical value. Do some cultural sightseeing at Musee du Materiel and Palais Jacques-Coeur. Explore Bourges' surroundings by going to Maison Ecole du Grand Meaulnes (in Epineuil-le-Fleuriel), Balneor (in Saint-Amand-Montrond) and Espace Metal - Halle de Grossouvre (in Grossouvre). There's lots more to do: admire the masterpieces at Musee de la Photographie, get a new perspective on nature at Museum d'Histoire Naturelle de Bourges, examine the collection at Musee automobile MATRA, and pause for some serene contemplation at Eglise Saint-Pierre.

For traveler tips, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Bourges travel planner.

Traveling by car from Chinon to Bourges takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. In December in Bourges, expect temperatures between 44°F during the day and 33°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Mon) so you can go by car to Orleans.

Orléans is a city in north-central France, about 111km southwest of Paris. Get some cultural insight at Chateau de Chambord and Hotel Groslot. Let the collections at Musee Memorial des enfants du Vel d'Hiv and Musee des Beaux-Arts capture your imagination. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Orleans: Chateau of Talcy (in Talcy), Maison de La Loire du Loir-et-Cher (in Saint-Dye-sur-Loire) and Domaine National de Chambord (in Chambord). There's much more to do: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Orléans Cathedral, see the interesting displays at Atelier Musee de l'Imprimerie, step into the grandiose world of Chateau de Chamerolles, and take an in-depth tour of War Museum of 1870 - Loigny-la-Bataille.

To see where to stay, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, use the Orleans vacation maker tool.

Getting from Bourges to Orleans by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. In December in Orleans, expect temperatures between 43°F during the day and 34°F at night. On the 31st (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can fly back home.