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Indre (36), one of the departments of the Centre Region of France, was one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was created from part of the former province of Berry. Indre is part of the current region of Centre (Val de Loire) and is surrounded by the departments of Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Cher, Creuse, and Vienne. Indre (1990 pop. 237,300), is in central France, in parts of Berry, Orléanais, Marche, Touraine, and Poitou. Châteauroux is its capitol city city (1990 pop. 52,949). Indre gets its name from the Indre River. It has textile, metal, pharmaceutical, and food-processing industries.

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Loire Valley

Château de Chenonceau

Built on the river Cher, where the unique beauty of its architecture reflects in the water, the Château de Chenonceau is the Val de Loire’s finial. Château des Dames as recorded in the French history books, Chenonceau owes a large part of its charm to women: it was built in 1513 by Katherine Briçonnet, then made even more attractive by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis, and saved from the rigours of the French Revolution by Mrs Dupin. The lovely surroundings, the formal garden and the park surrounding it add to the impression of delicate grace emanating from the castle.

Chenonceau is not only remarkable for its architecture and history but also for the fine quality of its collections as can be seen from the inside visit: Renaissance furniture, a vast ensemble of XVI th and XVII th centuries tapestries and a great number of masterpieces. Le Primatice, Rubens, Le Tintoret, Rigaud, Nattier, Van Loo are among the most famous names that can be found there.

In the dôme’s Building, new Wax Museum showing women who built Chenonceau : Katherine Briçonnet, Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Médicis, Maris Stuart, Louise de Lorraine, Madame Dupin, Madame Pelouze. Historic journey through Chenonceau from the Renaissance to World War I : 1518 - 1918. Somptuous collection of costumes made according to genuine documents. Charming walk into the past. The Wax Museum is open all year.

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Château d'Amboise

Built in the 15th and 16th centures, this authentic royal castle, introduces Italian style to the Loire valley. Relive the warmth of the past in this historical place thanks to the presence of an exceptional collection of Gothic and Renaissance furnishings. After visiting the royal residences, do not miss a walk through the beautiful panoramic gardens full of Mediterranean plants. In the Saint-Hubert chapel, the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci has recently been elegantly restored.

ORIGINS UP TO LOUIS .XI From neolithic times, the Promontoire des Chatelliers rock spur has been an ideal observation post at the confluence of the Loire and one of its affluents, the Amasse. Since the Iron Age, this site was a place of craftwork and commercial ex changes. The town became the main city of the Turones, the celtic tribe who gave their name to the future area of Touraine. The site was fortified from this period onwards. The fortifications were progressively improved with the help of the rock. In 503, Amboise entered into history when Clovis, King of the Francs and Alaric, King of the Visigoths met here. Mter the troubled period of the Norman invasions, the power of Amboise spread over the lands of the Counts of Anjou, then those of the house of Amboise-Chaumont. In 1214, Touraine was invested by Philippe-Auguste, King of France. The family of Amboise-Chaumont became his vassal. But in 1431 Louis d'Amboise was condemned to death for his part in the plot against La Trémouille (Arthur de Richemont), the favourite of King Charles VII. Eventually pardoned, Louis d'Amboise still had to renounce the Château d'Amboise, which was confiscated by the Crown.