Historic sites and monuments to visit in the Loir-et-Cher : -Château de Chambord The most famous castle in the département. A masterpiece of the French Renaissance commissioned by François I. Huge forest estate (also ideal for hiking).Château de Cheverny An elegant classical château, famous for having inspired Moulinsart in Tintin. Richly furnished interiors, park and Tintin museum. -Château de Blois Former royal residence. Blend of Gothic, Renaissance and classical styles. Beautiful views over the town. -Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire Famous for its International Garden Festival (April to November). Spectacular views over the Loire. -Blois Old town with timber-framed houses, Denis Papin staircases and Saint-Louis cathedral. -Maison de la Magie Robert-Houdin (opposite the château). Beaugency Charming little medieval town on the Loire. Keep, abbey, old bridge, picturesque narrow streets. -Vendôme Former monastic town with a superb abbey (Abbaye de la Trinité). Beautiful banks of the Loir, pleasant town centre. -Montrichard-Val-de-Cher Medieval town with keep, historic centre and banks of the Cher. Natural sites and walks : -The Loire Valley (UNESCO listed) -Itineraries for walks and hikes, typical Loire landscapes. -Sologne -A wild, wooded region to the east of the département. -Ideal for hiking, wildlife watching, hunting and mountain biking. -ZooParc de Beauval (in Saint-Aignan) -One of the most beautiful zoos in the world, with giant pandas, tropical domes, a giant aquarium... -The banks of the Cher and Loir rivers -Walks and cycle rides, canoeing and paddle boarding. -Forêt de Russy / Forêt de Boulogne (Chambord) -Large wooded areas perfect for hiking, horse riding and mountain biking. Sports activities in the Loir-et-Cher : -Nature and outdoor sports : -Hiking Numerous signposted trails in Sologne, the Loir valley and around the châteaux. -Cycle tourism / Véloroute -The Loire à Vélo cycle route crosses the Loir-et-Cher: a safe route between Blois, Chaumont, Chambord... -Canoeing & Paddle On the Cher, Loir or Loire. -Popular locations: Saint-Aignan, Montrichard, Muides-sur-Loire. -Horse riding -Numerous riding centres in Sologne and around the large forest estates. -Fishing -Rivers, ponds in Sologne, banks of the Loire. Various sporting activities : -Accrobranche: adventure park like Loisirs Loire Valley (Chouzy-sur-Cisse). -Golf: several courses in the département (Cheverny, Sologne, etc.). Hot-air ballooning: flights around the châteaux for spectacular views. -Climbing: climbing walls in Blois and Vendôme. Paragliding: for thrill-seekers (occasional sites depending on the weather).