CENTRE

To the east of the Pays de la Loire, with the river Loire bisecting it, is the Centre region, with Chartres and its beautiful cathedral to the north. Further south is Orléans with the Hôtel Groslot - a 16^th century brick mansion visited by former kings of France, and the Musée des Beaux Arts with works from the 15th to the 20th century.

Make sure you visit towns like Loches with its famous dungeon, and Chinon with the castle where Joan of Arc met Charles ll. Whilst much of the wine produced along the banks of, and near to, the Loire, is white and rosé, Chinon produces a very good red wine.

To the south of the Centre region, near to the Limousin, the countryside is green and fertile with many lakes and rivers. Here, property prices are still very reasonable - definitely worth having a look if you are searching for a relatively inexpensive property, especially as the airports of Limoges or Poitiers are within an hour or so.

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As well as providing some very general information, these notes reflect my own impressions following many visits to France. They are, however, no substitute for the very good and interesting books which are available. William Pearson©