Maison du Cherou is conveniently located for touring the Loire, Cher and Indre valleys. It is also well placed for exploring the Brenne region, which is a large area of more than 2800 man made lakes, some of which are adapted for leisure activities such as fishing, various forms of boating and some with beaches for swimming. This is a fantastic wild life area, a must for birdwatchers. There are so many picturesque villages that you need to visit several times to see them all.  The Loire region is famous for its wine, cheese, chateaux, forests and troglodyte dwellings.

Indre et Loire is one of the 83 departments of France created after the French Revolution. The main city is Tours, about 60km or 45 minutes from Le Cherou. The old city is well worth a visit with impressive architecture and many shops and restaurants. Tours is also the nearest air and rail link to le Cherou. Other large towns and cities in the region include Poitiers, Chateauroux, Vierzon, Bourges and Amboise.

Besides it’s natural beauty, the Indre et Loire region is famous for it’s chateaux, of which there are more than a dozen very large and spectacular and countless small but nevertheless beautiful. Our favourites to visit are Valancey, Amboise, Chenonceau and Chambord.

Location

The small hamlet of Le Cherou (just 5 houses) on the southern edge of the Loire/Indre valley area, about 60Km south of Tours just off the D943 and less than a ten minute drive from the lovely small town of Chatillon sur Indre.

Chatillon sur Indre has a weekly market and a nice friendly bar/restaurant in the town centre. There are also three other small bars and two other restaurants. There are several other inexpensive restaurants in the nearby villages.

Chatillon sur Indre also has a well stocked supermarket, two good butchers, several banks with ATM’s, hairdressers, paper shop, bakers and a variety of gift and service shops and a public swimming pool. It is also well served by doctors and dentists.

The nearest town of any size is Loches with its 12^th century citadel, twice weekly markets and lots of lively bars and restaurants. Within the citadel you will find a lovely chateau, a church and a dungeon providing a fascinating window into French history. There are two restaurants in the citadel, both with optional outdoor dining facilities. The large national supermarket chains of Super U and Leclerc have branches on the Loches ring road.

There are many family owned vineyards and goat cheese producers within a 30 minute drive that welcome visitors to taste their wines and cheeses.

For the more adventurous there is a competition grade go-kart track, open to the public, just outside Chatillon.

Montresor Village is listed as one of the pretty villages of the Loire region. Nestling on the banks of the River Indrois, it has an 11^th century fortress still with the walls, towers and gateway intact. Pretty houses, some half timbered, surround the castle base and there are many lovely walks through the village and along the banks of the river. It also has an excellent tourism office for information on the whole Loire region.

Haute Touche is a very calm and non commercial animal and nature reserve. Spread over 500 hectares, it is classed as the largest zoo in France with over 1000 animals, of 100 species from 5 continents, many part of an international conservation programme. None of the animals are in confined spaces and have huge enclosures to roam in. The entry fee is low cost and there are many spaces for picnics and miles of pathways for walking or cycling.

Bellebouche Lake is one of the 2800 lakes in the Brenne and has a beach set amongst pine trees and picnic areas. The water is fresh and clean and shallow and ideal for bathing or boating. Small boats can be rented on site. There is a bar restaurant and there are many miles of paths and trails suitable for walking or cycling.

La Roche-Posay on the River Creuse is a famous spa town, renowned for the healing properties of it’s thermal springs. It has many pretty bars and restaurants, even a casino and a free supply of spa water in the town centre.

These are a few of the places to visit and there are brochures and information on many more at Maison du Cherou.