Centre-Val de Loire (often simply called Centre until 2015) is one of
France’s 18 administrative regions, located in the heart of the country.
It encompasses six departments: Cher, Eure-et-Loir, Indre,
Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, and Loiret. Its prefecture is Orléans,
with Tours as its largest city. The region is bisected by the Loire
River and includes much of the renowned Loire Valley (Val de Loire), a
UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its Renaissance châteaux,
historic towns, and cultural landscape.
The region’s modern
boundaries roughly correspond to the historic provinces of Touraine,
Orléanais, and Berry. Its history reflects France’s broader narrative:
from ancient Celtic tribes and Roman conquest to medieval power
struggles, the Renaissance golden age, religious wars, revolution, and
modern development.
Orléans: The capital of the
region, famous for its role in the Hundred Years' War – here
Joan of Arc liberated the city from the English in 1429.
Main attractions: the Gothic Cathedral of the Holy Cross
with stained glass windows, the historical center with
half-timbered houses, and the Joan of Arc Museum. The city
is also famous for its festivals and proximity to the Loire
River.
Amboise: A picturesque
town on the banks of the Loire, known for the Renaissance
Amboise Castle, where French kings lived. It is also home to
the Clos Lucé manor – the last residence of Leonardo da
Vinci, with a museum of his inventions. An ideal place for
walks in the gardens and tasting local wines.
Blois: A city with the impressive
Blois Castle – the residence of several kings of France,
combining Gothic, Renaissance and Classicist styles. It
boasts a historical quarter with narrow streets, museums,
and an annual light festival. Blois is an excellent base for
excursions in the Loire Valley.
Bourges:
A medieval city with the Cathedral of Saint Stephen
(UNESCO), one of the best examples of Gothic architecture
with unique stained glass windows. It retains half-timbered
houses, the Jacques Cœur Palace, and gardens. Bourges is
known for its spring festival and as the center of the Berry
region.
Chartres:
World-famous for its Notre-Dame Cathedral (UNESCO) with 176
stained glass windows from the 12th–13th centuries depicting
biblical scenes. The city has a medieval center with canals,
museums, and a labyrinth in the cathedral. It annually
attracts pilgrims and history buffs.
Chinon: A town on the Vienne
River, with the Chinon Fortress, where Joan of Arc met
Dauphin Charles VII. Chinon: A castle in ruins with a
museum, underground passages, and views of the vineyards.
Chinon is famous for its wines (AOC Chinon) and medieval
festivals.
Châteauroux: The
prefecture of the Indre department, a modern city with an
airport serving as a gateway to the Berry region.
Attractions include the Raoul Castle, the Bertrand Museum,
and the Balzac Park. Known as a center of aviation and for
its annual music festival.
Issoudun:
A small historical town with the White Tower (Tour Blanche)
– a remnant of a medieval fortress – and the Hospice
d'Issoudun museum in a former monastery. Surrounded by
fields and known for its local markets, as well as being the
birthplace of the writer Alain-Fournier.
Maintenon: Known for Maintenon
Castle, which belonged to Madame de Maintenon, wife of Louis
XIV. The castle, with its aqueduct, gardens, and canal, is
an example of French classicism. The town is quiet, with a
historical center and close proximity to Paris.
Nançay: A small village with a radio
astronomy station (one of the largest in Europe) where
scientific observations are conducted. It also has a
contemporary art gallery and natural surroundings – forests
and lakes for ecotourism. Ideal for science enthusiasts and
those seeking a peaceful retreat.
Nogent le Rotrou:
A town in Perche with the Saint-Jean Castle – a medieval
fortress with a museum. Known for its equestrian traditions
(it is a center for breeding Percheron horses) and
half-timbered houses. Annual fairs and festivals add to its
charm.
Saint-Benoît-du-Sault: A
picturesque medieval village, a member of the "Most
Beautiful Villages of France" association. It retains a
Romanesque church, a priory, and stone houses on a hill.
Ideal for hiking, with views of the Creuse Valley.
Tours: The largest city in the
region, with a rich old quarter (Vieux Tours), Saint Gatien
Cathedral, and a museum of fine arts. It serves as a hub for
tours of the Loire castles, and is known for its gastronomy
(cheeses, wines) and university.
Vendôme:
A city with the Trinity Abbey (12th century), a square with
a column, and gardens. Known as the "Venice of the Loire"
thanks to its canals. Attractions include the castle and an
annual jazz festival.
Chinon Castle (Château de Chinon):
A fortress on a cliff above the Vienne River, where in 1429
Joan of Arc convinced Charles VII of her mission. It
consists of three parts: ruins, a museum with artifacts, and
panoramic views. It is included in the UNESCO list as part
of the Loire Valley.
Chenonceau Castle (Château
de Chenonceau): One of the most beautiful castles of the Loire
Valley, the "ladies' castle," built over the Cher River in
the Renaissance style. It is known for the gardens of Diane
de Poitiers and Catherine de' Medici, the gallery, and the
art collection. It attracts millions of tourists annually,
with the possibility of boat trips.
Mostly only French is spoken, little English. As an individual traveler you should have at least basic knowledge of the French language.
By plane
There is no major international airport in the region
itself. There is only one regional airport in Tours that is served by
Ryanair, but not from German-speaking countries. However, Paris-Orly
Airport can be used for arrival, from which z. B. 80 km to Chartres, to
Orléans 115 km. Thanks to the direct TGV connection from the airport
train station (several times a day), you can also get from Paris-Charles
de Gaulle Airport to Saint-Pierre-de-Corps near Tours in around 1:45
hours.
By train
There is a TGV stop in Saint-Pierre-de-Corps,
a suburb of Tours. TGVs between Paris-Montparnasse and Poitiers or
Bordeaux stop there approximately every hour, taking about an hour from
Paris. The TGV also stops directly in Tours several times a day.
Vierzon and Châteauroux are on the Paris–Limoges Intercité line
(approximately every hour); from Paris Gare d'Austerlitz it takes about
two hours to reach Châteauroux. Also from Paris-Austerlitz, IC trains
run every two hours to Orléans; they take a little over an hour.
Épernon, Maintenon, Chartres, Courville, Nogent-le-Rotrou can be reached
every hour with a regional express (TER) from Paris-Montparnasse
(Paris-Chartres in just over an hour).
From the German-speaking
area, the vast majority of train connections go via Paris, where the
train station has to be changed (from Gare de l'Est or Nord to Gare
d'Austerlitz or Montparnasse). For example, the fastest connection from
Cologne to Orléans takes 5:20 hours, from Stuttgart 5:40 hours, and from
Frankfurt six hours. If the destination is in the southeast of the
region, you can also drive from Switzerland via Dijon; For example from
Basel to Bourges with one change in 4 hours 40 minutes.
By bus
Eurolines offer bus connections from various cities in Germany with a
change in Paris to Tours or Orléans. From Cologne to Tours, for example,
it takes 10:45 hours and pays €70.
On the street
From the
north via Paris (Boulevard Périphérique), A 11 towards Le Mans and
Bordeaux, A 10 towards Orléans. However, if you are coming from central
and southern Germany or Switzerland, it is advisable to bypass the
greater Paris area and drive from the east on the A 5 or A 6 and A 19 to
Orleáns.
By bicycle
The Loire cycle route leads through the
region (passing Orléans, Blois, Amboise and Tours), which is also part
of the European long-distance cycle route EuroVelo 6 (Atlantic - Black
Sea), on which you can even travel from Germany or Switzerland (Lake
Constance, Basel) can drive here. From the Paris area, you can take the
French cycle path V41 to Chartres, Châteaudun and Tours.
Very good roads connecting all places of interest. Easy to find with the Michelin maps. Also recommended by bike, as there are cycle paths almost everywhere along the Loire.
A special attraction comes from the numerous castle hotels, often in
heavenly, relaxing peace in the midst of large domains and mostly
lovingly, exquisitely and of course antique furnished, whose cold and
drafty halls, halls and rooms of that time offer every imaginable
comfort today. For those who don't have to save, the personal reception
at the foot of the platform, the romantic candlelight dinner and a night
in a four-poster bed is the ideal, stylish start to exploring the great
historic castles, the less well-off will also have brunch or dinner -
that you can reserve in the old walls even if you are not a hotel guest
- in the right mood and for a few hours in the illusion of dining like a
lord of the castle of bygone times.
Castle hotels in Centre-Val
de Loire
Château de Chissay-en-Touraine, 41400 Montrichard. Tel:
+33 (0)1 54323201. A 12th-century former royal castle which since 1986
has housed a luxury hotel fully furnished in 18th-century style.
Surrounded by a ten-hectare park, the château preserves not only an
impressive former armory room, a room with Gothic vaults that was used
as the dining room of the La Table du Roy restaurant, and many very
beautiful old fireplaces. Among the 36 rooms and suites, choose one with
the nicer view of the park, while the others face either the Renaissance
facades of the large courtyard or the heated pool. The ideal
geographical location, the grandiose setting and the pool make the
Château de Chissay one of the most interesting stops in the area.
Château de Pray, 37530 Chargé-Amboise. Tel.: +33 (0)2 47572367. Just off
the Loire between Amboise and Chaumont on the D 751. Like many of the
Loire châteaux, this one arose from a fortification (13th century) that
was converted into a summer residence during the Renaissance became. It
is embedded in a park facing a large terrace in front of the castle,
where breakfast and dinner are served when the weather is nice. There
are only 16 rooms here, all antique-furnished, most relatively spacious,
and often occupied by regular guests who appreciate a family atmosphere
and the option of half-board.
Château de la Menaudière, 41400
Montrichard-Chissay-en-Touraine (144 route d'Amboise). Tel.: +33 (0)2
54320244. La Menaudière, whose origin (15th century) is attributed to
Catherine Briçonnet or Brissonnet, one of the six damsels of Chenonceau,
is located in the clearing of a forest with centuries-old oak trees and
offers 23 rooms including one with a four-poster bed on the ground floor
of the castle tower (№ 23), another, which is identified as the former
bedchamber of the marquis (№ 8). The fireplaces preserved in most of the
rooms add to the refined ambience, as does the bar with its terrace in a
beautiful setting, two small but nicely decorated dining rooms and the
heated pool, a soothing after a long day of sightseeing. There is also a
tennis court and even a heliport, from which you can take to the skies
if necessary to see the châteaux of the Loire from above (information on
helicopter tours is available from the Tourist Office in Blois).
The region is located south of Paris, in the central northern half of France, bordering the regions of Île-de-France and Normandy to the north, Pays de la Loire to the west, Nouvelle-Aquitaine to the southwest and Auvergne-Rhône to the south -Alpes and to the east on Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. The capital Orléans is located in the northeast of the region. Other important cities are Tours, Amboise and Blois. The region is traversed by the Loire, which, coming from the south, changes direction at Orléans and continues to flow west through Tours.
The Centre-Val de Loire has a multitude of natural regions of which
the Loire Valley constitutes the structuring axis. Geologically, this
region, mostly plain, covers the southern part of the Paris Basin
(Beauce, Berry, Brenne, Drouais, Gâtinais, Orléanais, Pays-Fort, Perche,
Puisaye, Sancerrois, Sologne, Thimerais, Touraine) and a small part of
north of the Massif Central (Boischaut, Marche). The terrains date from
the Paleozoic (Variscan chain) to the Quaternary, passing through the
Mesozoic and the Cenozoic.
The most recent geological formations
are the Quaternary fluvial alluvia of the Loire and its tributaries
(Beuvron, Cher, Cosson, Indre, Sauldre) as well as other rivers (Anglin,
Arnon, Claise, Creuse, Sauldre, Yèvre) . There are also loess deposits
in the Beauce, synonymous with fertile soils suitable for intensive
grain farming.
The Cenozoic formations present a variety of
sedimentary rocks of marine and continental origin (lacustrine, fluvial,
alterites) mainly occupying the natural regions of Beauce, Sologne,
Brenne and Gâtines.
The Mesozoic formations also include
sedimentary rocks of marine and continental origin whose ages evolve
from south to north, from the oldest rocks of the Triassic (Boischaut,
Marche, Val de Germigny) to the most recent of the Cretaceous (Drouais,
Gâtinais , Pays-Fort, Perche, Touraine) through those of the Jurassic
(Berry, Blancois, Richelais, Sancerrois).
Finally, the Paleozoic
formations are composed of magmatic and metamorphic rocks (Boischaut,
Marche) belonging to the Massif Central and formed during the Variscan
orogeny.
The geodiversity of the Centre-Val de Loire region has
greatly influenced the different landscapes, the latter having been
developed by man over the centuries. For example, the clayey-sandy
subsoil of Sologne has favored the establishment of thousands of
artificial ponds, just like in Brenne. Man has also been able to take
advantage of the mineral resources of the regional subsoil with the
famous tufa stone, the faluns of Touraine, the limestone of Beauce, the
flints of Grand-Pressigny or the "gun flints" of the valley. Cher
(Meusnes, Couffy). Oil is still exploited in the Loiret within
Cretaceous sands at a depth of around 600 m.
Like all French
regions, the Centre-Val de Loire benefits from a continuous inventory of
geological sites of heritage interest, as part of the National Inventory
of Geological Heritage (INPG). Geodiversity coupled with biodiversity
constitute the natural heritage. To date, 127 geological sites of
heritage interest have been listed by the Regional Commission for the
Geological Heritage of Centre-Val de Loire (CRPG). The list of sites can
be consulted on the National Inventory of Natural Heritage (INPN)
website.
The relief that emerges on either side of its bed is made up of
plains and plateaus with different geographical characteristics. The
slightly undulating limestone plateau of Champagne Berry in the
south-east is followed by the Brenne (land of “a thousand ponds”), and
the clay plateaus of Touraine in the south-west.
To the south and
east are cuestas with limestone plateaus and clay depressions on the
edge of the Massif Central (Motte d'Humbligny (Sancerrois hills), 429
m). To the north and in the center extend the plateaus of Beauce,
Sologne and the forest of Orléans. In Sologne, the nature of the soil
has favored the establishment of thousands of artificial ponds, as well
as moors and copses. It is a paradise for birds and game.
The
Centre-Val de Loire is crossed by the longest river in France (the
Loire, 1,006 km) which experiences the most irregular flows. In
addition, many and various tributaries are added to it.
The
Centre-Val de Loire is subject to three types of floods, some of which
have marked the history of the region (e.g. 1856, 1866):
floods
of oceanic origin characterized by a slow rise in water from depressions
coming from the west;
floods of Cévennes origin characterized by
intense and long rainfall occurring in the upper basins of the Loire and
the Allier;
the so-called “mixed” floods mixing the two origins.
Environments
Beyond the images of large cereal expanses, the
Centre-Val de Loire has a great diversity of landscapes and natural
environments: forests, ponds, dry limestone grasslands, moors, peat
bogs, and the Loire and its sandbanks and alluvial forests.
The
region is home to the largest national forest in France, the Orléans
forest, which extends over more than 35,000 ha north of the Loire and
Orléans.
23% of the regional territory, i.e. 900,000 hectares, is
covered by forests and other wooded areas, mainly the forest of Orléans,
Sologne and the east of the forest of Perche. Forests are overwhelmingly
private (85%).
In addition, the region hosts more than 5% of
known wetlands in the national territory, concentrated mainly in Brenne
with its 1,300 ponds and in Sologne with its 3,000 ponds. Over the past
ten years, more than 10% of marsh or peatland areas have nevertheless
disappeared.
Wildlife
The juxtaposition of closed and open
environments favors a great biological diversity, from large mammals
such as red deer, roe deer, wild boar, woodland birds such as the
European nightjar, the black woodpecker and the gray woodpecker. The
forest has been home to osprey nesting since the 1980s, marking the
return of the raptor to France after decades of decline. Disappeared
from mainland France during the 19th century, the raptor had found a
last refuge in Corsica where only three pairs remained in 1974.
The regional wetlands contain a great diversity of insects and are an
important resource for the many species of the five classes of
vertebrates.
Flora
Although still incomplete depending on the
department, the floristic inventories of the Centre-Val de Loire show a
great diversity of environments, from large forest areas such as Sologne
to large plains such as Beauce. The Loiret department, for example, is
home to almost a third of French flora with over 1,450 species.
Protected areas
The regional territory is home to three regional
natural parks: Brenne, Loire-Anjou-Touraine and Perche.
Fragmentation of environments
The region is ecologically very
fragmented. In 2010, the DREAL and the Region launched the development
of the Regional Ecological Coherence Scheme (SRCE), aimed at restoring a
more functional ecological network in the region. In 2001, an initial
mapping of the green and blue belt and natural environments was carried
out which will make it possible to prepare the SRCE, the administrative
translation of the European green and blue belt project (pan-European,
national and regional ecological network for the six departments of this
region, under the Grenelle II law and the new national strategy for
biodiversity (2010-2011).
Facilities and operation
River
developments disrupt river dynamics with the eventual disappearance of
wetlands and alluvial valleys. For example, aggregate extraction areas
have increased by 30% in ten years (16% nationally). This disappearance
leads to the reduction of the biodiversity of the region. Fish
populations reflect the degradation of the aquatic environment and
remain mostly (61%) disturbed or degraded.
Agriculture
In
2023, Greenpeace lists 103 factory farms in the regional territory,
concentrating alone 6.8 poultry, more than 117,000 pigs, 550 dairy cows
and 2,050 calves and other cattle.
Many motorways cross the Centre-Val de Loire and connect - Paris to
Lyon (A6) - to Bordeaux (A10) - to Clermont-Ferrand (A71) - to Rennes
and Nantes (A11) - to Nevers (A77) - to Toulouse (A20). Three transverse
motorways, Orléans-Sens (A19), Vierzon-Tours-Angers (A85) and Tours-Le
Mans-Rouen (A28), complete the network.
On the rail transport
side, the regional council finances the TER Centre-Val de Loire network,
the management of which it delegates to the SNCF.
On the air
transport side, a small airport project is underway in Châteaudun.
Moreover, Grand Châteaudun has scheduled three public meetings in May on
the theme of the future of the Châteaudun aerodrome (Eure-et-Loir).
After the first three meetings which had been organized in
Cloyes-les-Trois-Rivières, Brou and Châteaudun, in October 2021, Grand
Châteaudun wishes to meet its inhabitants again in order to report on
the progress of the conversion project of the civil aerodrome of
Châteaudun (ICAO: LFOC).
Chartres Cathedral is one of the major attractions in the region, and can be seen from a distance by hikers due to the very flat terrain. It is visible from the Vélorail du Pays Chartrain, a 12.5 km round trip on an old railway line in the Centre-Val de Loire, the Paris-Chartres axis via Gallardon. The Vélorail du Pays Chartrain has participated in the craze for “original and fun means of transport” which has the “wind in its sails”. The town of Châteaudun has tourist assets with its castle, its caves, its museum of fine arts and natural history and its flea markets. In addition, the region is known throughout the world for the castles of the Loire, most of which are world heritage sites, among the best known we can mention the castle of Chambord, the castle of Chenonceau, the castle of Blois, the castle of Cheverny, the castle de Loche, Chateau de Chaumont, Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau, Chateau du Clos Lucé, Chateau d'Ussé. The region is also home to the Beauval zoo.
Blazon: In blue, three (2;1) golden lilies under a white full-length tournament collar surrounded by a twelve-fold white-red border.
Prehistoric and Ancient Period (Pre-Roman Gaul)
The area has been
inhabited since prehistoric times, with evidence of settlement along the
fertile river valleys. In the Iron Age, Celtic (Gallic) tribes
dominated. Key groups included:
The Carnutes (or Carnuti), who
occupied territory between the Seine and Loire rivers, centered around
Cenabum (modern Orléans) and Autricum (Chartres). They were a powerful
tribe with strong Druidic connections; the region may have hosted a
major Druidic sanctuary.
The Bituriges in the Berry area (around
Bourges/Avaricum).
The Carnutes played a notable role in
resistance to Rome. During the Gallic Wars, they opposed Julius Caesar.
In 52 BC, Caesar’s forces attacked Cenabum, massacring many inhabitants.
The Carnutes later joined Vercingetorix’s revolt but were subdued.
Roman Era (Gallo-Roman Period)
After conquest (completed around
50 BC), the region was integrated into Roman Gaul (Gallia Lugdunensis).
Emperor Augustus brought stability, promoting urbanization and
infrastructure. Key developments:
Towns like Orléans (Aurelianum),
Tours, Bourges (Avaricum), and Chartres grew with Roman amenities
(baths, forums, amphitheaters, aqueducts).
The Loire River became a
vital trade and communication axis.
Christianity spread early; St.
Martin of Tours (4th century) was a pivotal figure, founding influential
monasteries and promoting evangelization.
Roman rule lasted until
the empire’s decline in the West (5th century). The region faced
invasions, including by the Huns (repelled near Orléans in 451).
Early Medieval Period (Frankish and Carolingian Era)
Post-Roman chaos
gave way to Frankish dominance. Clovis (late 5th–early 6th century)
conquered the area, incorporating it into the Merovingian kingdom. The
Loire Valley’s strategic and fertile position made it contested:
Vikings (Norsemen) raided in the 9th–10th centuries.
Saracens from
the south also threatened the region.
The Carolingian Empire
(8th–9th centuries) brought temporary unity under Charlemagne, but
fragmentation followed the Treaty of Verdun (843). The area became part
of West Francia, evolving into the core of the medieval French kingdom.
Medieval fortifications emerged, including early castles and abbeys. The
region’s religious centers (e.g., Bourges, Tours) gained prominence.
High Middle Ages and Hundred Years’ War (11th–15th Centuries)
The
Loire Valley became central to French royal and noble power. Key events:
Feudal conflicts: Rivalries between houses like Anjou, Blois, and others
led to fortress construction (e.g., at Loches, Chinon, Langeais).
12th–13th centuries: The area flourished culturally and intellectually.
Orléans attracted scholars, poets, and troubadours.
Hundred Years’
War (1337–1453): The region was heavily impacted. English forces
occupied much of it. In 1429, Joan of Arc famously relieved the siege of
Orléans, a turning point that boosted French morale and led to Charles
VII’s coronation at Reims. Tours briefly served as a royal capital.
This era saw the transition from defensive medieval fortresses to more
comfortable residences.
Renaissance Golden Age (15th–16th
Centuries)
The Loire Valley reached its cultural and architectural
peak during the French Renaissance, heavily influenced by Italian styles
after French campaigns in Italy. French kings moved the court to the
Loire for periods, favoring its mild climate, hunting grounds, and
proximity to Paris.
Charles VII, Louis XI, Charles VIII, Louis XII,
and Francis I (François Ier) resided here.
Francis I (r. 1515–1547)
epitomized the era: He initiated major projects like the Château de
Chambord (started 1519) and hosted Leonardo da Vinci at Clos Lucé near
Amboise (da Vinci died there in 1519 and is buried nearby).
Iconic
châteaux transformed or built: Chambord (largest, with its famous
double-helix staircase), Chenonceau (spanning the Cher River), Amboise,
Blois, Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry (renowned gardens), and many others.
Over 300 châteaux were built or renovated, blending medieval defensive
elements with Renaissance elegance, gardens, and landscapes.
The
valley became a hub for art, architecture, garden design, and courtly
life, symbolizing encounters between French, Italian, and Flemish
influences. It was a seat of royal power and a cradle of Renaissance
ideals in France.
Wars of Religion, Absolutism, and Decline
(16th–18th Centuries)
The mid-16th century Wars of Religion (Catholic
vs. Protestant) devastated the region, followed by plague. Kings
gradually returned the court to Paris (especially under Louis XIV),
diminishing the Loire’s political centrality. Châteaux shifted from
royal residences to noble country homes.
The 17th–18th centuries saw
agricultural and textile growth, but the French Revolution (1789 onward)
brought upheaval. The region was divided in support; some areas (e.g.,
parts of Touraine and Orléanais) favored revolutionary ideals, while
others resisted. Many aristocratic properties suffered damage or
confiscation.
19th–20th Centuries: Modern Era and Conflicts
19th century: Industrial changes affected textiles; the region remained
largely rural and agricultural. It played roles in the Franco-Prussian
War (1870–71), with Orléans again strategic.
World Wars: In WWI,
Tours hosted American forces. In WWII, the region was split by the
occupation line; parts were occupied by Germans, with significant
Resistance activity. The 1940 Montoire meeting between Hitler and Pétain
occurred nearby. Liberation came in 1944.
Post-war, the region saw
population recovery, infrastructure improvements (motorways, TGV links
to Paris), and economic modernization focused on services, tourism, and
agro-industry. Population had declined in the late 19th–early 20th
centuries but grew due to migration to towns.
Contemporary Period
Today, Centre-Val de Loire thrives on tourism (drawn to the ~300
châteaux, Chartres Cathedral, and UNESCO Loire Valley site), wine (e.g.,
Touraine appellations), agriculture, and proximity to Paris. It balances
rural charm with dynamic northern areas near the capital. The name
change to Centre-Val de Loire in 2015 highlighted its iconic riverine
identity.
The history of the Centre-Val de Loire region is marked by a
problematic identity that stems from the different historical provinces
(Berry - Orléanais - Touraine). First, differences arose over the choice
of capital, then over the choice of name.
Orléans was chosen as
the capital in 1964, although Tours was more populous. The background
was the rivalry between Jean Royer, mayor of Tours, and Michel Debré,
mayor of Amboise; the last-named campaigned for Orléans. This incident
created tensions between these two cities.
In 1956 the name
Région Center was chosen by the Ministry of the Interior, which caused
debate as this name did not allow identification. Even if Center
preferred neither the one nor the other historical province, the reason
for the naming was rather obscure, as the region is not in the center of
France. In 1990, the regional council attempted to find a name that was
more meaningful for the country and abroad. Four proposals were made:
Val de France ('Valley of France'), Val de Loire ('Loire Valley'), Cœur
de France ('Heart of France') and Centre-Val-de-Loire ('Centre Loire
Valley'). In the autumn of 1994, MEPs voted for Centre-Val-de-Loire.
However, if one region changed its name, the law required the consent of
all other regions. The president of the Région Pays de la Loire refused
this because of the use of the name of the Loire, which meant that the
name change did not materialize. Only with the reform of the regions in
2015 was the region officially renamed Centre-Val de Loire.