This train dating from 1950s travels from Thoré to Trôo taking in troglodyte dwellings, Saint-Rimay tunnel, the town of Montoire and Varennes and more.
Train Touristique de la Vallee du Loir
Tourist train in the heart of the Loire.
The round trip is nearly three hours and passes the spot where the TGV train once set the world speed record. A great way to take in some of the region's sights and read about its history.
On your return journey to the former station of Thore la Rochette, now the "Maison du Vin et des Produits des Terroirs Vendomois", take the opportunity to sample the produce of the region.
What to see
Sights in La Loire
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Train Touristique de la Vallee du Loir
Tourist train in the heart of the Loire.
This train dating from 1950s travels from Thoré to Trôo taking in troglodyte dwellings, Saint-Rimay tunnel, the town of Montoire and Varennes and more.
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Chateau Royal de Blois, Blois
Home to seven kings of France, this was the first château to be restored
This royal château offers a true panoramic survey of art and history of the châteaux of the Loire Valley. The residence of seven Kings and 10 Queens of France, the château is reminiscent of the power and daily life at court in the Renaissance. It has impressive royal apartments which are furnished and embellished with magnificent polychromatic decors. In 1845 it was the first historical residence to be restored and acted as a model for the restoration of many other châteaux. The Château Royal de Blois is classified as a Museum of France and is filled with more than 35,000 works of art. It presents its collections in the Royal apartments of the François I wing, in the Fine Arts Museum set in the Louis XII wing and in many temporary exhibitions.
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Maison de la Magie Robert-Houdin
Former home of Robert Houdin.
A museum dedicated to the magician Robert Houdin, born in 1805, and who brought modern magic into being. In his home here in Blois, you can find out about the personality of this man who once performed at Buckingham Palace. It is also a performing arts centre with some good interactive features.
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Chateau de Talcy, Talcy
Chateau de Talcy, Talcy
16th century château with 18th century décor
This impressive château looks down onto the small village of Talcy, and dates back to the 16th century. It has a medieval feel and original 18th century interior covered with tapestries and paintings. Its grounds house an orchard of apples and pears.
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Chateau de Valmer
Explore the gardens and taste Vouvray wine at this château
Château de Valmer, with its striking park and gardens, nestles on the edge of a hillside overlooking the Brenne Valley, a tributary of the Loire river.
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Chateau de Chaumont, Chaumont-sur-Loire
Impressive 15th century château in a beautiful woodland setting
Château de Chaumont dominates the Loire Valley skyline and is an illustration of both the defensive architecture of its period and the beautiful Renaissance style. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the château, which belonged to Queen Catherine de Medicis and later Diane de Poitiers, knew an intense period of intellectual activity. The Le Ray de Chaumont family welcomed, one after the other, the sculptor Nini, the American Benjamin Franklin and writer Germaine de Staël. The wider Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire reached its peak at the end of the 19th century thanks to Prince and Princess de Broglie. The royal couple designed magnificent modern stables, with the help of Maison Hermès, and entrusted Henri Duchêne, the landscape architect, with the creation of a landscaped park. The château is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Where to lunch
Restaurants in La Loire
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La Chaumiere Restaurant, Aubigny-sur-Nere
La Chaumiere Restaurant, Aubigny-sur-Nere
Local inn offering good regional fare.
This old post house dating from the 19th century has managed to retain a unique style where beams, bricks and tiles combine with modern comforts.
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Bigot Restaurant, Loire
One of the best chocolatiers in the Loire
This fondue house and chocolatier has been running since 1913 serving pastries, macaroons and wonderful hand-made chocolates in its tea house. You can attend a chocolate-making demonstration and workshop.
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Le Relais d'Artemis Restaurant Restaurant, Bracieux
Excellent food in luxury setting.
This wonderful restaurant run by Bernard Robin, the renowned chef, used to be a coaching house. Today is serves excellent traditional cuisine in a fine dining setting accompanied by an excellent wine selection. A top dining spot in the Loire with a Michelin star to match.
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Le Petit Comptoir Restaurant, Angers
Classic French bistro.
This small restaurant in Angers serves traditional French cuisine made with locally-sourced fresh market ingredients explained on the classic chalkboard menu.
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Au Rendez-Vous des Pecheurs Restaurant, Blois
Sample the fish at Christophe Cosme's Michelin-starred restaurant.
This restaurant, translated as The Fisherman's Place, offers an excellent selection of predominantly fish dishes served with locally grown vegetables. Christophe Cosme has earned a Michelin star for his dishes in this small spot in Blois.
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Le Grand Velum Restaurant, Chaumont-sur-Loire 
Le Grand Velum Restaurant, Chaumont-sur-Loire
Dine at the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire
This restaurant located at the south gate in the grounds of the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire offers a refined and inventive cuisine which is created around the theme of the annual garden festival. Only open from April.
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What to do
Things To Do in La Loire
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Sully Golf Course, Sully-sur-Loire
Choice of the number of holes you play on this pretty course.
Located in the heart of the Sologne, this 27-hole club offers three courses; Sarcelles, Faisans and Chevreuils. You can do 9 holes, combine two courses to do a round of 18, or if you're feeling energetic, you can do all 27!
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Saumur Golf Course, Saumur
Attractive 9-hole course.
This relatively new course, set in beautiful Saumur, is a pleasant 9-hole round if you're searching for a change from historical monuments and châteaux.
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Bateaux Nantais
Dine on a river cruise along the Loire or the Erdre.
Bateaux Nantais offers cruises along the river Erdre or the river Loire on their modern and sleek boats. Particularly popular are their lunch or dinner cruises and their themed evenings.
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Blue Green Avrillé Golf Course, Avrille
Par 71 course in the grounds of the Château Perrièrre.
In the grounds of the 17th century Château Perrièrre, the golf club is within ancient trees, water features and different plant varieties that create this undulating course offering a diverse round.
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Sologne Golf Course, Ferte Saint Aubin
Challenge yourself on this scenic par 72.
The Golf de Sologne is the oldest course in the Centre region, and probably one of the most beautiful natural settings.
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Nantes Carquefou Golf Course, Nantes
Martin Hawtree signature 18-hole course.
Built in the grounds of the Château de l'Epinay, this 18-hole golf course extends over 67 hectares. The 5,790-metre course has slightly wavy greens and small rivers, ponds and streams. A reasonably easy course with the Martin Hawtree signature.
