Loire Valley: European Heritage weekend 2026...what's on.

This weekend, 19–20 September 2026, is the perfect opportunity to discover—or rediscover—the remarkable heritage of the Loire Valley and Centre-Val de Loire.

European Heritage Days invite visitors to explore the region's rich cultural heritage, from magnificent châteaux and historic monuments to museums, gardens, churches, villages and places that reveal the stories of the people who shaped the region.

The Loire Valley is particularly rich in heritage, and this special weekend offers the chance to look beyond the best-known sights and discover places and events you may not have encountered before.

Whether you're a long-time resident or visiting the region for the weekend, take the opportunity to explore somewhere new and experience the heritage of Centre-Val de Loire.

We find best place for information is here: This is for Indre-et-Loire but you can search other departments on this site.

Bon week-end — and happy heritage hunting!

Part of the “Bon weekend from the Loire” Series

Each Friday, we share a quiet moment from the Loire — a region that invites you to unwind, a beautiful weekend at a time.

Discover more from the Loire

© Experience Loire — Have a good weekend from the Loire · Back to Home

Tuesday for towns in the Loire Valley - back to Tours on 'Museum Week'

Musee des Beaux-Arts

Its 'Museum Week'  and today is about cities - here in the Loire Valley we are blessed with some fine cities of which our favourite has to be Tours which has a number of fine museums.

Muséum d'Histoire Naturell

Musee Saint Martin

Centre de Creation Contemporaine Olivier Debre

Musée du Compagnonnage 

What do you do when it rains in the Loire Valley?

Image credit  Nicole Crawford

This spell of unusually wet summer weather had us thinking, what do you do in a region that is best appreciated in sunny weather when it rains?

Chateaux can of course be viewed internally with Cheverny as a perfect example of a well furnished option. Chenonceau and Villandry whose exteriors are a major attraction offer a great inside experience. There is also the smaller but perfectly formed Chateau de Cande with its 'royal' history. One  chateau slightly off the beaten track but worth a view is Château d’Oiron  which is a delight for those seeking something a little quirkier...a gallery of curiosities.

Museums, if that's  your thing, then visiting the city of Tours is a good option with its diverse choice, There are also less obvious choices like the eclectic 'Musee Dufresne' or the tank museum ,the largest in Europe, in Saumur.

Go visit one of the beautiful cathedrals or churches  ... spoilt for choice really!