Experience Sologne, Val de Loire et Berry
Just a short walk from those tourist attractions, hotel and restaurant La Sauldraie is the ideal place to stay and experience the countless activities of Sologne, Berry, Val de Loire and l'Orléanais.
Castles of the Loire Valley
CHAMBORD is the most magnificent Loire château - conceived by the 25-year-old François I. The monumental scale and strength of the 156-metre façade and towers and the central, double-spiral staircase. Once you've done the chateau don't ignore the park. At 13,000 acres, it's bigger than central Paris, and alive with game.
CHEVERNY is a rare thing within the Loire Valley - a chateau that appears untouched by the Renaissance. This could have a lot to do with the fact that it has remained in the same family for six centuries. The interior reflects a living history of the generations and the care and affection lavished upon this chateau is apparent from top to bottom.
CHENONCEAU reminds you why you admire France. Arching over the River Cher, it is so damnably and harmoniously perfect that it surely respects some aesthetic law of the universe. Diane De Poitiers created gardens and put the bridge across the river, so that she might hunt on the other side.
Wildlife parks and zoos
Classed as the No. 1 zoo in France and as one of the most beautiful zoological parks in the world, ZOOPARC DE BEAUVAL is home to the largest diversity of animals in France with nearly 6,000 animals including two giant pandas, found nowhere else in France.
Four greenhouses presents birds, great apes, sloths, reptiles, manatees and Australasian animals, while three plains allows to present herbivores of the African savannah and Asian herbivores.
2 fascinating shows (200 birds above the heads and agile and playful sea lions) and a wide range of animations.
Do you love nature and wide open spaces? Then visit the largest zoo in France. On the doorstep of the Brenne Regional Nature Park, in the department of Indre, LA RESERVE ZOOLOGIQUE DE LA HAUTE TOUCHE is home to a thousand or so animals from all five continents, in the heart of a forest estate covering more than 400 hectares.
Museums - theme-based Centers
LA MAISON DES ETANGS (PONDS HOUSE) in St Viatre is offering a discovery tour of the Sologne ponds, which number around 3000. Learn about their history, operation, fish farming, fauna and flora, the ancient crafts used in pond operations, manufacture of boats, etc.
In Villeny, the STAG HOUSE, open its doors to be make you discover the stag, this marvellous mythical animal which is the king of our forests. During the visit, children and adults will learn to know the life of this animal : its birth, its family unit, the fall and evolution of its antlers, its troat.
LA MAISON DU BRACONNAGE (POACHING CENTER) in Chaon is the only museum in Euope dedicated to poaching and poachers and illicit hunting. Poaching is part of the special identity of the Sologne region with the mythical complicity of Raboliot, the hero of Maurice Genevoixe's novel.
Art and culture
CAPAZZA GALLERY, a superbly restored place of historic interest (from the XVIIth century), connected with the castle of Nançay. In exceptional surroundings of 20000 sq ft, you can admire the works of 80 artists with international reputation. These artist represent contemporary art in the most important fields of Fine Arts.
The Chateau du Moulin was built in the fifteenth century and in the grounds you will find the marvelous Strawberry Conservatory where you can discover the mysteries of this queen of fruits through its museum over 40 varieties of strawberries.
Discover the strawberry conservatory
Visit LE POLE DES ETOILES in Nançay, an exceptional site which houses among others the 4th largest radio telescope in the world. Approach as close as possible to the celestial vault in a digital planetarium.
Things to do
The 1500m outdoor KARTING DE SOLOGNE is located in Salbris. Hire Karts are available all year round for you to enjoy. You can book single sessions or there are a variety of adult events to choose from. Karting de Sologne also hosts national and international karting events.
Experience an exciting treetop adventure, ropes,zipwire course and paintball in AVENTURE PARC in Nançay. Tree top Adventure is the main course designed for Adults and adventurous Children. For youngsters aged 4 to 7 years, enjoy "Le jardin de Lilou".
Fancy a dip in a NATURAL SWIMMING POND in Mont Près Chambord ? Situated on 4 acres, it is the biggest natural swimming pool in France ,100% chlorine-free, and benefit from watergames and picnic areas.