Local fare and - Tourisme Loiret

2013
© J. Puyo
© J. Puyo
Local fare and
LIFESTYLE
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
Wine cellars
Two outstanding wines:
• Orléans wines received two AOCs in 2006: Appelation d’Origine Contrôlée. These wines,
made from « Pinot Noir » and « Meunier » varieties, are light, fruity, fresh and thirst-quenching.
They have a fine ruby red colour and a red fruit nose – the perfect accompaniment for local
cured meats and Sologne game.
• Coteaux du Giennois wines also have AOC classification and feature all the charm of
« Gamay », « Pinot » and « Sauvignon » – planted on the Nivernais bank of the Loire. To be
enjoyed with a goat’s cheese from the region, or Jargeau andouille sausage.
NOT TO BE
MISSED
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
© J. Puyo
© J. Puyo
©Jean Puyo
Saffron
Gâtinais saffron was
famous all over Europe
during the seventeenth
century, thanks to its
finesse and incomparable
flavour. Until the turn of
the twentieth century, the
town of Boynes was the
world capital for the spice,
accounting for 20% of
global production! Today,
producers in the Loiret are
again planting crocuses,
the pistils of which are
used to make saffron.
It takes 160,000 crocus
bulbs to produce a single
kilo of saffron!
Local fare and
© J Puyo
LIFESTYLE
© J. Puyo
© J. Puyo
© J. Puyo
Gourmet products
Sweet
• Orléans Cotignac
Cotignac is a quince jelly paste which
is extraordinarily fondant. The quinces
harvested in the region in October
produce a beautiful orange-coloured
syrup, which is poured into a spruce
bark box whilst still hot. The jelly comes
in these small round wooden caskets,
known as friponnes, which bear a stamp
of the picture of Joan of Arc.
• Praslines, Macaroons and Pithiviers
While Orléans fruit macaroons are a
recent invention, Montargis Pralines
were invented in the 17th century by a
pastry chef whose Praslines Mazet de
Montargis shop keeps the manufacturing
process a closely guarded secret.
The recipe for Pithiviers, the celebrated
cake with an almond-based cream, is
even older still, and comes in two kinds:
the better-known one is made with flaky
pasty and filled with almond paste, while
the iced fondant version is decorated
with a confit fruit star.
• Honey
Gâtinais honey has a very distinctive
flavour, due to the rapeseed and
sunflowers which give the nectar its clear
colour and fine texture.
The living museum of bee-keeping at
Château-Renard, featuring video and
guided tours, glass-fronted hives and
honey extractions, is a must-see.
Tel: +33 (0) 238 953 556
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
Savoury
Useful addresses
• Orléans vinegar
Increasingly elaborate treatment of
Touraine and Anjou wines (which had
the tendency to turn to vinegar at the
end of their long journey to the port of
Orléans) led to the creation of Orléans
vinegar. This has a fine reputation,
preserved by a Guild of Master Vinegar
Makers.
Restaurants
• Orléans mustard
The traditional recipe combines the
famous Orléans vinegar and Guérande
salt with fine, delicate, stone-ground
mustard seeds.
• Jargeau andouille sausage
The andouille sausage is a French
delicatessen speciality. Ingredients
include all of the pig’s insides; each
recipe embodies a distinct local
tradition. La Confrérie des Chevaliers
du Goûte-Andouille watches over this
delicious Jargeau andouille sausage.
Every year there is a contest of rival
delicatessen talents.
© La Feuillaie - St Ay
• The Monk’s pears
Since the first pear trees were planted
by the monks at Micy, the producers of
Olivet fruit have been distilling William’s
pear brandy, which has made Olivet
famous worldwide. It features a bottle
containing a whole, fully-ripe pear prior
to being filled with alcohol.
• Catherine Delacoute,
Le Lancelot,
Chilleurs-aux-Bois
(2 miles from Chamerolles Château)
www.restaurant-le-lancelot.com
• William Page,
Le Lièvre Gourmand,
Orléans
www.lelievregourmand.com
• Philippe Colinet,
L’Auberge des Templiers,
Boismorand
www.lestempliers.com
• Jean Claude Martin,
La Gloire, Montargis
www.lagloire-montargis.com
Accommodation
Hotels
• Le Grand hôtel de l’Abbaye***,
Beaugency
www.grandhoteldelabbaye.com
• Le Burgevin***, Sully-sur-Loire
www.hotelburgevin.com
• L’Abeille***, Orléans www.hoteldelabeille.com
Guest houses
• La Feuillaie, St Ay
www.lafeuillaie.com
• Le Château de Guignes, Tavers
www.chateau-de-guignes.com
• Les Logis d’Orléans
www.chambre-hote-orleans.com
Find more restaurants and places
to stay at www.tourismeloiret.com
(Accommodation and
Restaurants tabs)
Press kit 2013 - Contact Presse: Pierre-Elise DUMUIS Tel: +33 (0) 238 780 404
2013
© C. Beaudin
Destination
LOIRET
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
100 km from Paris, the Loiret is at the heart of the Loire Valley,
a Unesco World Heritage listed site.
3 excellent reasons to choose the Loiret
Beautiful natural areas
First and foremost, the Loire River – the last
untamed river in Europe, whose meanders and
tributaries provide the entire department with
water. Depending on the season, it can be fastflowing or calm; and it’s home to a rich variety
of protected animal and plant wildlife. You can
explore the river by bike, canoe or on a riverboat
cruise.
The Beauce, nicknamed France’s breadbasket
loft, invites you to a different world again,
redolent with the golden yellow hue of its
wheatfields. Here and there, medieval village
church spires stand out on the horizon.
The Orléans forest, the largest national forest in
France, along with Montargis forest, home to
oaks, beeches, hornbeams and Scots pines,
mean that the Loiret is an ideal destination for
walking enthusiasts, mushroom pickers... and
of course those who enjoy a good old legend!
Then too, there’s the Sologne region with its
mix of deep forests, beguiling moorlands and
myriad lakes: it’s held on to its air of mystery and
preserves strong hunting and fishing traditions.
The gentle lifestyle
Generations of inhabitants of the Loiret have
fostered a discreet, elegant lifestyle. Nothing
is just for show here. People savour the knowhow of artists and craftsmen; others indulge
their passion for creating roses, or for pleasant
parks and gardens; others again restore and
bring to life stately homes and castles, humble
villages and towns imbued with historic charm.
Travelling
Within its relatively small territory, the Loiret
offers a wide variety of options for weekends
and holiday breaks: walking, hiking, horseriding or cycling along the towpaths; golf; river
tourism; cultural exploration from the Middle
Ages right through to contemporary art; garden
art and table arts, along with family activities
and more.
A key point
of contact
The Loiret Département
Tourism Board is at your
disposal. Its expertise and
know-how will provide you
with all the assistance you
may need:
• information about
the tourist offer
in the département
• media reception
• report preparation
• interview requests
• product suggestions
• loan of photos
Visit the dedicated Media
space on our website
www.tourism-loiret.com/en/
for details of various
resources (mailing list,
Tourist board bulletins).
contact:
Pierre-Elise Dumuis
Loiret Département
Tourist Board
8, rue d’Escures
F-45000 Orléans
© J. Puyo
Tel: +33 (0) 238 780 404
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
relation-presse@tourismeloiret.com
120 km
PARIS
The basics
Getting here
Key Figures
By road
Surface area: 6,813 km .
Representing 17% of the Centre region and 1.2% of France.
Population: 618,126 inhabitants, 25.3% of the regional
population.
2
A Little Geography
•L
owest altitude: 69 m at Derives (Canton of Ferrières-enGâtinais)
• Highest altitude: 273 m at Pierrefitte-lès-Bois
(“La Foulonnerie” landmark in the Canton of Châtillon-sur-Loire)
• Wooded area: 1,720 km2
• Wine-growing area: 775 km2
• Farming area in use: 4,127 km2
• A river that runs to the ocean: the Loire River runs through
the department from east to west over approximately 120 km
• Canals: Canal du Loing, Canal de Briare, Canal latéral à la
Loire, and the Canal d’Orléans
• A tributary river: the Loiret (12 km), which gave the
department its name
• Forests
- In the north: the Forests of Orléans and Montargis
- In the south: the Sologne
• Plains and meadows
- In the northwest: Beauce and Pithiverais
- In the northeast: Gâtinais and Puisaye
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
Orléans coach station: +33 (0) 238 539 475
- A10 Chartres, Paris, Lille, Belgium
- A10 Tours, Bordeaux, Spain and Portugal
- A19 Troyes, Germany
- A71 Bourges, Clermont-Ferrand, Spain and Italy
- A6, N60 Lyon
By train
- Orléans SNCF train station: +33 (0) 892 353 535
- Train stations: Montargis, Briare, Gien
From Paris :
- Austerlitz station
- Bercy station
By air
- Orly Airport: 50 min from Orléans
- Roissy Airport: 1.5 hours from Orléans by road.
DISTANCE IN KM BETWEEN ORLEANS AND
SOME OF FRANCE’S MAJOR CITIES
Lille: 330 km
Paris: 120 km
Ouistreham: 270 km
Press kit 2013 - Contact Presse: Pierre-Elise DUMUIS Tel: +33 (0) 238 780 404
2013
© J. Puyo
© J. Puyo
Living
HERITAGE
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
The Loiret is an ideal destination for a relaxing getaway, with everything you
need to recharge your batteries in a traditional setting.
A weekend in... Orléans
An hour away from Paris, Orléans is the gateway to the Loire
Valley. Boasting a strategic location on the banks of the Loire,
the city’s also enjoys a rich cultural heritage and proximity to the
lakes of the Sologne.
Whether visiting museums or strolling around a park, shopping
or visiting art galleries, Orléans is a winning destination for a
short break.
The Tourist office can suggest you a number of themed tours
and interactive activities.
www.tourisme-Orléans.com
Three good reasons to visit Orléans...
Its cultural heritage
Orléans is one of the oldest cities in France: with churches,
crypts, grand town houses and museums, the echoes of the
past can still be heard, giving the city a charm of its own. From
its cobbled streets to the paintings in the Fine Art Museum and
the salons of the Hôtel Groslot, visitors are treated to journey
through the centuries. The Carré Saint-Vincent is a nationallyrecognised theatre, and the space it provides for artistic creation
is testament to the city’s cultural dynamism. The impressive
Place du Martroi is filled with the buzz of café terraces, the
streets are alive and the markets bursting with colour.
Crossing the Pont Royal, the beautiful floral gardens are a living
embodiment of the city’s desire to control urban development
and to let nature into the city, which boasts 270 hectares of
parks and gardens.
© J. Puyo
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
Its gastronomy
With its range of culinary specialities and fine dining options,
Orléans will delight the most refined palates. On the menu:
Orléans poultry or Jargeau andouille with the famous Orléans
mustard, accompanied by locally produced AOC Orléans
and Orléans-Cléry wines. Visitors with a sweet tooth will love
the macaroons aux fruits d’Orléans or Cotignac d’Orléans
«cf. document Lifestyle». The royal city is also home to a bustling
indoor market at the Halles Chatelet located at the heart of the
old town, a place where you can indulge your senses, and where
the locals come to buy fresh, regional produce. Tea rooms and
wine bars also offer you a perfect opportunity to take a break
during your shopping trip.
For its love of the arts
In Orléans, there are a number of art galleries that present visitors
with a varied range of artists and styles. One noteworthy example
of artistic creation is the designer Marie Wolf’s showroom. It is a
place where you shop by appointment, like the stars. Belonging
to a family of couturiers, she uses techniques from haute couture
to make her collections of hats, bags, and dresses, using only
the finest fabrics such as silk organza, muslin, and duchesse
satin... (Tel: +33 (0) 238 532 639). Bargain hunters simply must
not miss the Saturday morning markets (8:00 am - 1:30 pm)
that line the cities boulevards. Early birds get the worm, and
the best bargains! Ageing furniture and rusty throw-aways will
always find a new owner to restore them with care.
Press kit 2013 - Contact Presse: Pierre-Elise DUMUIS Tel: +33 (0) 238 780 404
2013
The longest river in France, the Loire, listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage
for the 280 km between Sully-sur-Loire (Loiret) and Chalonnes-surLoire (Anjou), is an all-category winner. But its assets are not limited to
those respects. Between its canals, its incredibly rich flora and fauna, and
its magnificent river banks, the Loire has everything needed to attract
tourists ready to explore the heart of the Loiret destination. It’s said the
the Loire is Europe’s last untamed river.
But for you, the Loire can be tamed.
The Loire Ferrymen: tradition, passion, animation
Step aboard their traditional boats, and they will not lack ideas to help you share their passion.
From May to September, theme events are organized - not only for the pleasure of your eyes.
Picnic or Twilight Outings to see the beavers while enjoying a bite to eat on board: Navigation
and Gastronomy to learn the history of the river and appreciate local specialities when dining in a
top-class restaurant. Every Friday evening from May to September the ‘Nocturnes du Loire’ have
different themes - Wines, Fish, Maritime Transport, etc. The latest addition ‘Sunday on Board’
will launch the festivities.
Starting from Sigloy, near Châteauneuf-sur-Loire.
www.passeursdeloire.fr
© Mairie d’Orléans
Focus: Loire Festival: arrival of the Venetians
From 18 to 22 september 2013, Europe’s biggest river rendezvous will
have an Italian flavour.While the port of Orléans re-visits its history, the
traditional craft of the Pô river and the legendary gondolas of Venice
will bring an Italian taste to the event.
With a few strokes of the oars you will be transported from Orleans to
the Citty of the Doges. Rivermen, artists and exhibitors will introduce
the visitor to the gastronomy and traditions of the Ligurian region.
www.orleans.fr/festival-de-loire-2013
© C. Beaudin
Natural assets
la Loire
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
New in 2013
• Restaurant Le Girouet
Situated on the banks
of the Loire at Orléans,
the Girouet plunges its
guests into a maritime
atmosphere with its
unique setting, its
ferryman menus and
its views of the river.
It proposes, before or
after dining, cruises
of discovery aboard
traditional craft.
Tél. : +33 (0) 238 810 714
www.legirouet.com
• Restaurant
le Bateau-Lavoir
Anchored by the
renovated docks of
Orléans, the restauarnt
is an exact replica of
a washing pontoon.
Opened in July 2012, the
restaurant, with its bar
and tea-room is an ideal
place to take advantage
of the panoramic view of
the river.
Tél. : +33 (0) 238 889 323
www.bateaulavoir-orleans.fr
2013
All
ABOARD
© J. Puyo
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
The Loire might be untamed and unpredictable, but the many canals in
the Loiret are navigable and open to canal boats and cruise boats for a
gentle and enjoyable outing. So cast off and away you go.
Slow right down on the
waterways of the Loiret. Set
off aboard a boat on the
Briare Canal, Loing Canal, or
the Loire Lateral Canal with
over 100 km of waterways
open to boats. Opt for the
countryside
charms
of
the Loiret. If you don’t see
yourself captaining a boat
yourself then there are
cruise boats with several
different offers available:
lunch or dinner cruises, or
a full-day or afternoon trip
to discover the plant and
animal wildlife and – on
some trips – go through a
lock. The key reason for
building the canals was to
join the Loire to the Seine. To
join the Loire Lateral Canal
to the Briare Canal, a steel
structure was erected above
the Loire. The Briare Canal
Bridge, a 662-metre-long
technical prowess, is listed
as a Historic Monument and
© C. Beaudin
THE ORLEANS CANAL
well worth admiring. Pursue
your exploration of the Loiret
waterways with a visit to
the Two Navies and Briare
Canal Bridge Museum and
the Loire Navy Museum in
Châteauneuf-sur-Loire,
which present the history of
transport on the Loire and
the life of Loire ferryman
with films and collections of
objects and documents.
Inaugurated in 1692, the Orléans
canal links the Loire in Orléans to the
Loing canal. It was a major trade route
until shipping on the Loire came to
an end. It is now dedicated to tourist
boat trips from Combleux to Fayaux-Loges. Travel peacefully along its
shady banks. Walkers will enjoy taking
the towpaths which run alongside the
canal.
NEW ACTIVITIES
Have a go at captaining
a boat along the Loiret
canals, departing from
the Briare and Châtillonsur-Loire boating centres:
cruise boats, river-boats,
and canal boats of all
sizes to skipper yourself
(accommodating from 4
to 12 people), for a twohour trip, a day’s outing,
or else a cruise lasting
the weekend or several
days.
Boats for hire by
the day (from €130),
weekend, or week, from
April to October. No
special licence needed.
www.reservation-loiret.com
contact us for details
> Two Navies and Briare
Canal Bridge Museum:
www.musee-2-marines.com
> Loire Navy Museum:
www.chateauneuf-sur-loire.com
All
ABOARD
Captain on board
is required to operate them. All it takes is
a brief introduction to navigation and an
explanation of how to go through locks,
at one of the Loiret’s three watersports
centres. Maximum cruising speed is
6 km/h and you can stop wherever you
like!
• Briare centre: make the most of this
stop to visit the ‘Maison des deux
marines’ and the Enamel Museum.
© C. Beaudin
Canals from
Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses
© J. Puyo
Loisirs Accueil Loiret
Tel: +33 (0) 238 620 488
www.loiret-booking.com
• Rogny-les-7-Ecluses centre: on the
river Loing and the Loing canal. The
site is famous for its impressive flight
of locks.
Canals from
Châtillon-sur-Loire
From
From
depending on the season
depending on the season
1,131 e
1,160 e
Overview
Overview
> Length: 2 days / 2 nights
> Length: 2 days / 2 nights
> Recommended period: April to October
> Recommended period: April to October
> Accommodation: on the boat (8/10 people)
> Accommodation: on the boat (8/10 people)
We enjoyed
We enjoyed
Navigating along the Briare of the Loire
Lateral Canal.
Navigating along the Loing or the Briare
Canal.
To find out about other boats available
and to enquire about weekly hire
please contact us.
To find out about other boats available
and to enquire about weekly hire
please contact us.
Boat hire (no licence required). Come and
discover the outstanding historic heritage
of the amazing flights of locks (to link the
Atlantic to the Mediterranean) built during
the reign of the French King, Henri IV.
Explore Montargis to the North and Briare
to the South aboard your fully equipped
“OCTO” boat (8/10 people).
Boat hire (no licence required). Navigating
from Châtillon-sur-Loire near the listed
Mantelot locks to discover Briare and its
Canal Bridge (to the North) and Sancerre (to
the South) aboard your SALSA boat (8/10
people).
The price includes
• Boat hire and navigation instruction.
• Hire of fully-equipped boat and navigation
instruction.
The price does not include
The price does not include
• Fuel.
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
• Châtillon-sur-Loire centre: the listed
sites of the lock and nineteenthcentury Mantelot waterside station
are a genuine testimony to the art of
navigation on the old Loire Lateral
Canal.
© J. Puyo
© J.Puyo
Connected to the entire French network
via Burgundy, Ile-de-France and the
Berry, the Loiret canals fulfil every wish
of those who are keen to get away
from it all on the water. For a week or
more, canal boats are a great way to
discover the hidden parts of the Loiret,
known only to the wild ducks, at the
gentle pace of lapping water. The
comfortable, fully-equipped boats can
accommodate 2 - 12 people. No licence
The price includes
• Fuel.
contact
contactus
us for
for details
details
Press kit 2013 - Contact Presse: Pierre-Elise DUMUIS Tel: +33 (0) 238 780 404
2013
© C. Beaudin
DIARY
Dates for your
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
Rhythm and melodies, short stories or epic tales: the events may vary but the
experience remains just as enjoyable. Staying true to its heritage, the
Loiret lays on a busy year-round calendar of events that will delight adults and
children alike: from journeys back to the Middle Ages that make the modern
world seem a million miles away, to concerts to get music lovers’ feet tapping.
Festival de Loire: open air concerts and dancing
On 18-22 September 2013, the port of Orléans comes alive as 600 sailors converge on the Loire
for Europe’s biggest river boating event. The festival is held every two years and attracts 650,000
visitors eager to get an idea of the Loire as the hub of activity it was in days of old.
The sailors are accompanied by 400 artists and exhibitors who showcase regional culture, cuisine,
and traditions in a festive open-air atmosphere. The special guests of honour at this year’s event
are Italian boatmen from Pô and Venice, who will take their famous gondolas to the water.
Romance and festivities are the order of the day at this widely-anticipated event.
www.orleans.fr/festival-de-loire-2013
© Barokopera Amsterdam / Conseil Général du Loiret
Focus: 40 melodious years in Sully
For its 40th anniversary, the Festival de Sully-sur-Loire
et du Loiret will again celebrate classical and romantic
Renaissance music for all discerning music lovers in a
number of towns in the Loiret, including Sully-sur-Loire,
the Festival’s home.
The Festival is renowned for the quality of its concerts and
prestigious musicians, as well as the magical combination
of the music and the venue, with music often filling the air
often held in churches, castles, or theatres.
While the Festival attracts a number of well-known names,
many young, lesser-known artists are also invited to enjoy
this opportunity for exchange and discovery.
24 May to 9 June 2013
www.festival-sully.com
New in 2013
• Chamerolles,
« Reine des parfums,
reine des jardins »
From 29 June - 29
September, Chamerolles
is home to a rose
exhibition. The exhibition
will explore the rose from
four different angles:
its place in history, in
medicine and plant
science, in perfume, and
in culture.
The comprehensive and
educational exhibition
will also serve as an
occasion to showcase
the flower that is a
common fixture in the
beautiful gardens of the
Loiret.
Tel: +33 (0) 238 398 466
Diary
Joan of Arc Festival in
Orléans: a city remembers
its heroine
© J. Puyo
Every year, Orléans celebrates its
deliverance from an English siege
by Joan of Arc. Following the 600th
anniversary of her birth in 2012, the
festivities are picking up again with a
range of events: a medieval festival,
concerts, and parades during which the
people of Orléans pay a deserved tribute
to Joan of Arc.
29 April to 9 May 2013
www.orleans.fr
Yèvre-le-Châtel history festival: the knights of old ride
again
• “Les imaginaires de Yèvre: Once upon a time in the West…”: a weekend festival packed with all kinds of outdoors shows and street entertainment.
20 & 21 July 2013
Tel: +33 (0) 238 342 591
• Together with its fort, this village, listed as one of the most beautiful in
France, boasts a fabulous setting for medieval festivities. For a full weekend,
medieval knights take over the castle to delight the public. Jousting and archery
demonstrations take place alongside other traditional crafts such as chainmailmaking and juggling, which is sure to keep the children entertained.
17 & 18 August 2013 – 2 to 5 pm at Yèvre fortress
Tel: +33 (0) 238 342 591
Nocturnes de Ferrières:
the Middle Ages on every
corner
At nightfall, the 15th century city enters
a picturesque medieval atmosphere
where monks and soldiers rub shoulders
with gossiping washer-women.
The spectators form an integral part of
the festival as they wander from one
scene to another, wondering at the
magical light and sound show.
Why not bring the journey back through
the centuries to life with a medieval feast
(reservation required)?
In testament to its quality, the event has
been awarded the Fédération Française
des Fêtes et des Spectacles seal of
quality.
20 & 27 July, and 3 & 10 August 2013
www.nocturnes-de-ferrieres.com
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
A veritable fringe festival offering musical outings and concerts in unique, traditional venues, as well as exhibitions. In an effort to appeal to as broad an audience
as possible, the festival provides exposure to young artists and innovative acts, as
well as inviting better-known names that have in the past included Michel Jonaz
and Manu Dibango.
20-26 July 2013 in and around Saint-Brisson-sur-Loire.
www.raffutsdeloire.com
Orléans’ Jazz: supporting all kinds of jazz
In 2013, Orléans opens the festival season, setting the tone with the 23rd
Orléans’Jazz Festival. Boasting an eclectic programme, every year Orléans’Jazz
includes over 40 concerts with 350 local and international artists in the city’s
squares and gardens. Free spirited, open-minded, and contemporary artists
will entertain the public (42,000 visitors in 2012) for the duration of the festival.
Children will be treated to a special programme of events.
19-29 June 2013
www.orleans.fr
© J. Puyo
© P. Paturange
Raffut de Loire: jazz is in the air
Press kit 2013 - Contact Presse: Pierre-Elise DUMUIS Tel: +33 (0) 238 780 404
2013
© C. Beaudin
OPEN AIR
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
The Loiret rolls out the green carpet for those in need of a breath of fresh air!
If you need to forget the stresses of everyday life and recharge your batteries
with your family or friends, take to the trails that crisscross the Loiret. There are
a range of routes waiting to be explored on foot, bike, or horseback as you roam
Orleanais country, Orléans Forest or the Sologne. Remarkable attractions for a
perfect getaway.
© MIR Photo
Focus: taking in nature and culture in the Loire by bike
The “Loire à Vélo” trail covers almost 100
miles across the department, with 15 miles
of paved roads in Orléans. Visitors can also
follow the Loire in small stages of 10-15
miles, between Tavers and Saint-HilaireSaint-Mesmin, then on to Saint-Denis-en-Val
and Châteauneuf sur-Loire, into Sully-surLoire, Briare and Beaulieu-sur-Loire, or take
an alternative route along the south bank to
Châtillon-sur-Loire and Beaulieu.
Beaugency-Orléans
This section of the Loire by Bike covers around 20 miles, taking in natural sites and cultural heritage
along the way.
• Start : As you leave the railway station, Beaugency and its old streets lined with stone houses
with wooden panels display a exude a certain medieval feel. The high ground offers an excellent
view over the river, whose banks are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the oldest bridge
over the Loire.
• 5 miles : As you wind your way through the alleys of Meung-sur-Loire you will come across the
beautiful 12th century castle. On the south bank, you are treated to a surprising panorama of islets
and sand banks. The river then merges with the contours of farmland and vineyards where cherry,
apple, and pear trees grow alongside the Orléans vineyards.
• 8 miles : Cléry-Saint-André and its basilica, home to the tomb of Louis XI, are worth a visit.
• 15 miles : Pointe de Courpain is an exceptional natural site at the confluence of the Loire and the
Loiret.
• 17 miles : The nature ride stage ends in Orléans, a “City of Art and History”. All along the route,
53 bike friendly (Accueil Vélo) accommodation options welcome cyclists.
Privileged
partner
Wheel-Free is your
ideal partner to enjoy
the Loire by bike
without a hitch.
Wheel-Free offers
electric bicycles for
hire, with a range of
models for cyclists of
all levels: a racing bike
to pedal quickly but
with assistance, or a
more family-friendly
version perfect for a
more sedate outing.
It couldn’t be easier:
Wheel-Free will deliver
your Loire à Vélo
package to any point
you choose on the
route, at the station,
your hotel, or anywhere
else.
Wheel Free
in Saint Jean de Braye
www.wheel-free.fr
You also can book your
trip via www.reservation
-loiret.com
Find other bike hire
companies at
www.tourismeloiret.com
(Outings/Accueil Vélo label tab)
Open Air
On foot, horseback, or by
bike... perfect for any type of
getaway
And...
Canoe and kayak on the Loire and
its canals
© Golf de Vaugouard
The Loiret boasts 3000 miles of
footpaths (GRP®,GR® et PR®).
Great hiking!
To help you find your way along
the Loiret’s trails and footpaths, the
local Tourist Board has published 19
practical guides about the region’s
19 districts. The guides include 142
waymarked routes ranging from 1 to 15
miles with walks suitable for the whole
family to cover in a day or half-day. The
guides include a 1:25,000 scale IGN
map with the route shown, description
of the route, and practical and tourist
information. These guides can be
purchased directly from the Loiret
tourist board, or ordered online from
www.tourismeloiret.com,
“Walking” menu, and cost €2-€4.
The Loire by bike will delight cyclists:
This route, together with over 15 other
routes, travels through a range of
varied but consistently beautiful natural
surroundings, from the banks of the river
to the forest and the local countryside.
A range of horse riding options are
available: alone or with guide, day trips
or a riding tour...
Loiret in full swing
Combine a country getaway with an
active day out at one of the Loiret’s
eight 18-hole golf courses.
A Golf Pass covers your green fee
for three days, providing access to a
range of courses* with varied technical
characteristics.
From
€100
per
person November - March/€125 per
person April - October (supplement at
Vaugouard golf course).
© J. Damase
• “Léo Parc Aventure” (on the Ile
Charlemagne in Orléans): six courses
for different age groups; 80 fun
activities for children and adults alike.
www.leo-parc-aventure.fr
www.aissesgolf.com
• Best for seasoned golfers
PACKAGE DEAL
www.golfhotel.com
Golf and Heritage
around Sully-sur-Loire
Golf d’Augerville-la-Rivière*
Augerville-la-Rivière
18 holes
• The best greens
Domaine de Vaugouard*
Fontenay-sur-Loing
18 holes
Limère-Orléans* - Ardon
18 holes
www.portes-de-sologne.com
• Best for beginners
Golf de Marcilly*
18 holes + 18 hole Pitch and Putt
www.marcilly.com
• For the most variety
Orléans-Donnery*
18 holes
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
• “La Forêt des Fées” high-wire forest
adventure park, in Conflans-sur-Loing:
eight different courses suitable for all
levels
www.laforetdesfees.com
Les Aisses - La Ferté-Saint-Aubin
27 holes
• One of the most beautiful courses
in France
Find the latest hiking french
information at:
- the new blog
www.rando-loiret.com
- in the dedicated section at
www.tourismeloiret.com
- on Facebook
« baladez-vous en Loiret »
Tree top adventures
• The most exclusive
www.vaugouard.com
Hiking online The best way to discover the river and
its unspoilt banks. A number of clubs
and associations enable visitors to try
kayaking or set off on guided river trips.
Canoes and kayaks also available for
hire.
A trip combining golf on one of
the Loiret’s finest golf courses
across
Sully-sur-Loire’s
27
holes, and visits to major
attractions:
Sully
château,
Germigny’s oratory, and the
Abbey at Saint Benoît sur Loire.
€159 in 3-star hotel
The price includes one night in
hotel with breakfast, 18 holes of
golf, and the featured visits.
April-October
Loisirs Accueil Loiret
Tel: +33 (0) 238 620 488
www.golfdonnery.fr
• For golfers of all levels
Sully-sur-Loire* - Viglain
27 holes - 3 courses
www.golfdesully.com
• The oldest
Golf de Sologne* - La Ferté-Saint-Aubin
18 holes
www.golf-de-sologne.com
* included in Golf Pass
Press kit 2013 - Contact Presse: Pierre-Elise DUMUIS Tel: +33 (0) 238 780 404
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
© Musée des Beaux Arts
Art
2013
The Loiret boasts a rich medieval past, and is home to a number of
traditions from different periods, as well as crafts kept alive by today’s
artists. Their work brings the past to life as much as it builds for the future.
The Loiret succeeds in being both traditional and contemporary, and
expresses its artistic side across a range of must-see sites. Galleries and
museums provide a broad range of artistic media for public appreciation.
Musée du Verre et de ses Métiers (Glasswork Museum): unique in
France
Just 15 minutes from Montargis, this space brings over 1,500 pieces from the glassmaking
industry back to life. The collections and exhibitions recount the history of Sovirel, Thomson, or
the revolutionary heat and shock resistant Pyrex.
Glassworking techniques are also showcased here with a range tools on display, and glassblowing demonstrations on the first Saturday of every month are provided by retired glassmakers.
www.musee-dordives.fr
On the programme:
• Exhibition - Schneider Crystal Glassworks, from
Epinay to Lorris, 14 September to 31 December
2013 The Schneider glassworks was one of the largest
crystalworks in 20th century Europe. The exhibition
includes a number of exquisite pieces, and retraces the
steps of the Schneider family from Epinay-sur-Seine to
Lorris in the Loiret. From Art Déco to glass studio, from
the 1930s to the 1960s, Schneider glass left its mark on
the glassmaking industry.
© T. Calzaroni
• Exhibition – Happy Glass, Louis La Rooy, 4 May to 25
August 2013. Louis La Rooy is one of those artists who
used their talent for the benefit of business. For “Tetterode
Glasobjekten” in Amsterdam, he designed monumental
projects for internationally renowned architects and
designers. However, for over ten years he has also been
making his own pieces, and forty of these are on public
display. His free and colourfully vibrant style makes use of
the full range of glassmaking techniques.
New in 2013
At Orléans Musée des
Beaux Arts (Fine Arts
Museum)
• Gérard Schneider,
retrospective
Born in Switzerland,
Gérard Schneider (18961986) is undeniably one
of the greatest masters
of the lyrical abstraction
movement that was
popular in the postwar period. 50 of his
paintings and drawings
tell the story of this
internationally-renowned
artist, from his first
ventures into the world
of art to the mastery of
his craft.
28 February to 2 June 2013
www.orleans.fr
Art
Earthenware, enamels, etc.
In Gien: where practicality and
aesthetics combine.
The Earthenware Museum in Gien
displays collections of dishes, of
course, in everyday materials or fine
enamel. But in addition to the practical
purpose of these objects, a genuinely
creative process leads to the production
of these refined pieces.
The museum retraces the history of this
craft that has proven able to adapt to
the times and reinvent itself.
Open every day except 1 January, 1
May, 11 November, 25 December. Don’t
forget to visit the factory shop on your
way out!
Entry fee charged. Workshop visits for
groups only, by appointment.
Tel: +33 (0) 238 670 005
www.gien.com
Galerie du lion :
unique in Europe
Galeries d’Art
A gallery dedicated to wildlife and
nature photography, the Galerie du
Lion is the only gallery of its kind in
Europe. The exhibitions showcase
the work of these “artistic naturalists”
while raising public awareness of
biodiversity, and the beauty and
extraordinary richness of the world’s
wildlife.
Scheduled exhibitions, in the Galerie
du Lion.
6, rue Croix de Malte, Orleans.
Wednesdays and Sundays from 2 to 6
pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am
to 12 noon, and 2 to 6 pm. Entry fee
charged.
www.galeriedulion.com
A selection of art exhibitions offering
a range of styles, modern and
otherwise.
LIGNY-LE-RIBAULT
• Galerie Clarus
27 rue du Général Leclerc
Tel: +33 (0) 238 444 829
MEUNG-SUR-LOIRE
• Galerie l’Oeil Vagabond
24 Rue Porte d’Amont
Tel: +33 (0) 238 447 516
ORLÉANS
• Galerie d’art Ombre et Lumière
8 rue au Lin
Tel: +33 (0) 238 682 980
• Galerie Saint Marceau des Prés
9 place de la Bascule
1
Tel: +33 (0) 238 518 914
• Galerie Sigfrid
9 rue Péreira
Tel: +33 (0) 238 682 074
• Gil Bastide
328 rue de Bourgogne
Tel: +33 (0) 238 626 635
Briare enamels and mosaics around
the world
At the Briare Musée de la Mosaïque et
des Emaux (Mosaic and Enamel Museum) visitors can travel through 150
years of collections and archives that
recount the passion for these mosaics,
buttons, and pearls that have been exported as far afield as the Middle East.
Today, industrial production uses highly
sophisticated technology (digital imaging and robotics) but the success encountered by Briare ceramics remains
undiminished, travelling to the USA and
Australia thanks to its thriving exports.
• Quai 56
56 quai du Châtelet
Tel: +33 (0) 953 766 726
• L’art ancien
32 rue Jeanne d’Arc
Tel: +33 (0) 238 620 975
• L’Arty Show
197 rue de Bourgogne
Tel: +33 (0) 238 530 237
© P. Kobeh
• Galerie le Garage
9 rue de Bourgogne
Tel: +33 (0) 608 783 402
• Le pays où le ciel est toujours bleu
(modern art gallery) 20 rue des Curés
Tel: +33 (0) 238 531 152
1 February to 31 December:
Entry fee charged.
Tel: +33 (0) 238 312 051
www.coeur-de-france.com/
briare-emaux.html
PACKAGE DEAL
From €137 per person
A romantic weekend in Briare in a hotel nestled in parkland with ancient
trees and swimming pool, combining a river cruise, wine cellar tour, an
introduction to mosaics with a local craftsman, enamels, and a visit to La
Bussière château, known for its market garden and fishing collection...
Suggestion: visit the Earthenware Musem in Gien and its shop!
Duration: 2 days/1 night
Recommended period: April to October
Accommodation: 3* Hotel in Briare
The package includes: 1 night in double room with breakfast (hotel with
pool), cruise, outings (mosaic workshop, mosaic museum and château, wine
tasting with complementary bottle of wine).
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
cerie, Gien
© Musée faïen
Art and the art of living... on the Briare Aqueduct
Press kit 2013 - Contact Presse: Pierre-Elise DUMUIS Tel: +33 (0) 238 780 404
2013
© C. Beaudin
Château
LIFE
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
Dreaming of life in a château? Loiret is the place for you. Far from living in
the past, the Loiret’s châteaux extend a warm welcome to visitors wishing
to explore their uniquely fascinating world. The often imposing or even
intimidating structures can also be disarming: during a festival or exhibition
the castles are once again hives of activity, where the buzz of medieval
festivals is quickly restored.
New in 2013
A double-faceted chateau
• Chamerolles
Rose Exhibition :
Chamerolles sees la vie
en rose
© Château de Meung
Meung-sur-Loire château is known as the
double-faceted château because of its
medieval and classical façades. The interior
also reveals two different personalities: its
refined salons contrast with the underground
dungeons.
And the surprises don’t end there: children
will be delighted by the eccentric robot,
Walter, who is back in service! The waggish
robot has hidden a number of objects
throughout the château that children must
find. The medieval events, complete with
knights’ camp, are accompanied by a
medieval cookery workshop.
www.chateau-de-meung.com
Events in 2013
> All year round: The mystery boxes ask visitors to identify the objects they contain, and provide
information about how they were used.
> 4 and 5 May 2013: “Plantes en scène”: the theme of the first garden festival is “Gardens and
the secrets of master gardeners”. www.plantes-en-scene.com
> July/August: historical events: from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, every weekend
> August: les Nocturnes de Meung: 3D projections
> September: chocolate fair
> December: Christmas at the château
This summer,
Chamerolles château
showcases the rose in
a dedicated exhibition
based on a series of
different themes related
to the flower: the rose
as a mythical flower
throughout history,
medical and plant
science, its perfume, and
its status as a muse as
in the Roman de la Rose.
Images, gardens,
bottles, and other
objects tell the story of
the rose in all its forms.
29 June to
29 September 2013
Château de Chamerolles
Tel: +33 (0) 238 398 466
Châteaux
Focus: La Ferté-St-Aubin: playing with history!
Château life
The reflection of La Bussière’s fine
brick and stone façade plays on the
ripples of its 6-hectare lake. Explore its
French garden, designed by Le Nôtre
(400th birthday of his birth in 2013), and
identify the vegetables of yesteryear.
Enjoy a stroll around a series of natural
dens made of plants.
© J. Puyo
La Bussière Château:
pure elegance
In 2013, La Ferté château is given a new a
new lease of life by organising visits on a
theme of games. Over 40 games for all ages
are available in the courtyard and parkland.
They complement the visit with both fun and
educational activities. The highlight is a life-size
game of snakes and ladders that covers 50m
with its wooden pieces: join the game to see
where they take you!
Sully-sur-Loire Château, residence of “Grand Sully”
This superb 14th-century fortress dominated one of the rare Loire
crossings for centuries. Modified by the famous minister in the court of
Henri IV, the chateau has retained its towers and moats. The chateau
has been restored several times, and is fully furnished with a range of
tapestries and some fine Renaissance eaves. Tel: +33 (0) 238 654 207
Events in 2013
© J. Puyo
> Henri IV Nights: nocturnal tales of his death.
26/07, and 2-9 & 16/08
> Festival of Sully (music) 24/05 - 9/06
PACKAGE DEAL
Heritage and châteaux
in the Loiret
From €145 per person
Staying a stone’s throw from the Roman
abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire and the
Carolingian oratory in Germigny-desPrès, explore the medieval château in
Sully-sur-Loire (14th century), belonging
to Maximilien de Béthune, a minister of
Henri IV.
The next day, cross the 36,000 hectare
Orleans forest for a spot of gastronomy
before heading on to Yèvre-le-Châtel,
one of the most beautiful villages in
France, and its fortress.
Length: 2 days/1 night
Recommended period: March - November
Accommodation: 2* Hotel
© Château St Brisson
Saint-Brisson under siege
The château regularly revisits its defensive role. The events are based
on the theme of siege engines, and visitors can admire trebuchets and
catapults and learn about medieval warfare.
During the Easter and Autumn French school holidays, and in
July and August: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 4 pm.
chateaudesaintbrissonsurloire.com
!
Not to be missed:
The «Hop Là» festival! 18-20 May 2013 This year is the 4th year of this
popular event that combines games, concerts, theatre, and circus acts.
www.festivalhopla.com
The package includes:
• 1 night in double room, half-board
• 1 lunch excluding drinks
• Entry to the château
• Unaccompanied tour of the religious
sites and fort
www.reservation-loiret.com
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
Press kit 2013 - Contact Presse: Pierre-Elise DUMUIS Tel: +33 (0) 238 780 404
2013
© C. Beaudin
Ecotourism and
WELLNESS
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
The Loiret is green by nature, and home to a natural environment on a
par with its magnificent architectural heritage (on the World Heritage List).
In the Loiret ecotourism and wellness go together – naturally.
If you’re looking to put together a
day’s eco-tourism and wellness in the
Loiret, then it could look something
like this. Start the day with a good
bit of fresh air. Wade into the water
and learn about fly-fishing, an art
form that is respectful both of the fish
(which is put back into the water) and
of the environment. For an exciting
spot of angling try hunting down a
European catfish, a carnivorous fish
that can measure up to 2 metres long
( w w w. r e s e r v a t i o n - l o i r e t . c o m ) .
On the edge of the Sologne, the Balnéades balneotherapy centre has 4
wellness areas – aqua, fitness, bal-
© Camping touristique de Gien***
Not to be missed
neo, and relaxation. Indulge yourself
with a relaxation pool, sauna, treatment, massages, and fitness area.
There is a whole gamut of different
choices available, and you won’t be
able to wait to come back again. For
dinner treat yourself at the ‘Le Relais
Louis XI’ hotel restaurant. The chef
will serve you a gourmet organic
meal using fresh seasonal produce in
a refined historic setting. Looking for
a few other ideas? Gently recharge
your batteries in the natural setting of
the Barres National Arboretum called
Arbofolia, covering 35 hectares and
home to one of the richest plant col-
lections in Europe. Entertaining and
educational events are laid on all year
round for children and adults alike.
And those who feel up to climbing up
the 157 steps to the Caillettes viewpoint are in store for a fine reward,
as there are breathtaking panoramic
views over the Forest of Orléans once
at the top. Ecotourism and wellness
go hand-in-hand in the Loiret.
Domaine de Ciran : www.domaineduciran.com
Arboretum des Barres : www.arbofolia.com
Arboretum des Grandes Bruyères :
www.arboretumdesgrandesbruyeres.fr
Nature trips
Accommodation providers in the Loiret are bursting
with original and unusual ideas for their guests – and
what with chalets on the banks of the Loire or in the
Sologne, gypsy caravans and treehouses, there is
certainly no lack of choice! These forms of “green”
accommodation are fully equipped like “standard”
gites, and sometimes have a wellness area. They
are perfect places for revisiting childhood dreams
and the simple pleasures of life in the open air for
a weekend, far away from the noise of the city. And
that does so much good!
Ecotourism and
© C. Beaudin
© C. Beaudin
© C. Beaudin
WELLNESS
The Grandes Bruyères Arboretum
is a remarkable example of a modern
arboretum for the combined pleasures
of walking and discovery. Located
in the first man-made nature reserve
set up in France in the heart of the
Forest of Orléans, this arboretum has
emerged from what thirty years ago
was just thickets of undergrowth.
The use of any form of chemicals,
fertilisers, or weedkillers is prohibited
so as to preserve the natural balance
of the forest environment. The reserve
is also an ecological and ornithological
conservation area, and more than 100
species of birds have been spotted
and identified.
© Domaine de Limère
The art of living in the Loiret.
The Loiret has taken wellness to the
level of an art form. With its warm and
comfortable houses in the country,
16th-century properties, and typical
Loire Valley country residences,
without forgetting its gourmet tables
d’hôtes and distinguished restaurants,
you will find all the atmospheres and
flavours you dreamt of in the Loiret to
enable you to relax and enjoy a sense
of well-being.
Balneotherapy
in the Sologne
Come and discover our balneotherapy offers
with free access for a day’s relaxation in our
aqua area (pool with underwater jets, cascades,
aquagym, and so on) fitness area (cardio
training, weightlifting, and so on), relaxation
area (hammam and sauna) and 2 hydrotherapy
treatments.
The price includes
• 1 night in a double room with breakfast • 1 dinner at
the Pavillon de Limère • Free access for 1 day to the
aqua, fitness, and relaxation areas (free bath robe,
sandals, and towel) • 2 treatments (hydrotherapy
bath or affusion shower or jet shower or hydrotherapy
bench).
From
135 e
The price does not include
per person
(on the basis of two people sharing)
• Drinks • Dinners.
Overview
We enjoyed
> Length: 2 days / 1 night
The possibility of staying in a cottage
(on request, please consult us for rates).
> Recommended
October
period:
April
to
> Your accommodation: 3-star hotel in
Ardon
Discover another option:
Golf from €145 per person
contact us for details
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
Press kit 2013 - Contact Presse: Pierre-Elise DUMUIS Tel: +33 (0) 238 780 404
2013
© J. Puyo
The “Garden
OF FRANCE “
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
The Loiret’s parks and gardens are the reflection of its nature. Whether wild or
manicured, free-growing or disciplined, they are all rich and harmonious. The
care and passion displayed by their owners make them great spot for a stroll.
They also host a range of events, and come alive when hosting exhibitions
and shows.
The intimate charm of private gardens and castles
The story of the Jardin de Chantal et Alain began with the purchase of a single viburnum.
Today, the garden contains 140 of them, as well as 300 varieties of rose. A romantic stroll
though different shades of green, punctuated here and there with flashes of colour and seats
that invite visitors to lose themselves in their thoughts.
The fine and surprising gardens at Chamerolles château combine exotic plants, a maze and
kitchen garden where only Renaissance fruit and vegetables are grown.
At La Bussière Château, Le Nôtre’s orchard and vegetable garden are beautifully maintained.
The sign of the rose
In Meung-sur-Loire, Roquelin
gardens joined the list of
the Loiret’s “Outstanding
Gardens” in 2011.
Located on the “Loire à
Vélo” cycling route, the
garden covers a hectare in
an English garden with an
intelligent combination of
over 450 varieties of roses
and perennial plants.
Its chestnut tree structures
give a medieval feel to this
poetic garden with views
over the Loire.
www.lesjardinsderoquelin.com
Focus: 3 Arboretums
Founded by a globe-trotting horticulturalist who discovered a passion for Ilex (the
scientific name for holly), the Arboretum des Prés des Culands in Meung today
covers over two hectares with a collection certified by the Holly Society of America.
60 species of holly suitable for temperate climes and over 460 hybrids and cultivars
are on display in the arboretum. This “Outstanding Garden” is also home to maples,
hosta, day lily, and clematis. http://perso.orange.fr/houx/
© Arboretum des grandes
Bruyères
Barres - Arbofolia
The National Arboretum des Barres (Arbofolia) in Nogent-sur-Vernisson covers
35 hectares with over 2500 rare, little-known and majestic species, including one
of the world’s largest collections of trees. The arboretum is a certified “Outstanding
Garden” and is split into three sections.
www.arbofolia.com
Grandes Bruyères Arboretum, at the heart of Orléans Forest in Ingrannes, is made
up of undergrowth gardens, and Asian and American arboretum, a rose maze and a
vegetable garden. With over 300 magnolias, 500 dogwood, and over 100 species of
oak, together with heather, roses and conifers, the quality of its collections is widely
renowned.
www.arboretumdesgrandesbruyeres.com
The «garden
OF FRANCE»
© Roquelin
The Loiret’s 8 “Outstanding Gardens”
> Grandes Bruyères Arboretum
> La Bussière château park and vegetable garden
> Prés des Culands Arboretum
> Barres Arboretum
> Grand Courtoiseau Manor Gardens
> Roquelin Gardens
> La Source Flower Garden, Orléans Loiret
> La Javelière Manor Park (New)
The Floral Park of Orléans:
A record numbers of visitors
The most-visited attraction in the Loiret, the Parc Floral de la Source, boasts
35 hectares of gardens and botanical collections.
Irises, roses, dahlias... every flower has its own garden, and each theme its
own expression, from market gardens to extraordinary tropical gardens.
An animal park, and butterfly and bird house will delight children.
Children and adults alike can enjoy the range of events at the Parc Floral de
la Source.
© J. Puyo
© C. Beaudin
The “Mots & Motifs, Le Parc Floral À Livre Ouvert” exhibition will be displayed
in the park in 2013. Visitors will explore the garden as if opening a travel
guide, exploring the garden’s vocabulary. Anecdotes, illustrations, stories,
photographs and poems line the paths and invite contemplation. The
atmosphere is more adventurous for children: playing the role of real explorers,
they have puzzles and riddles to solve.
www.parcfloraldelasource.com
PACKAGE DEAL
The Loiret’s arboretums are enchanted spaces for tranquil strolls. To
extend your stay and explore more gardens, take a look at our highquality accommodation options at www.reservation-loiret.com.
Some of the guest houses, hotels, and campsites are in outstanding
natural locations: hidden corners that are just waiting to be
discovered.
www.tourism-loiret.com/en
Press kit 2013 - Contact Presse: Pierre-Elise DUMUIS Tel: +33 (0) 238 780 404