Vendôme

Enclosed in a loop of the Loir, whose many branches form small islands linked by bridges and footbridges, Vendôme, in the Loir-et-Cher, has kept a remarkably consistent medieval and Renaissance heritage. The free-standing bell tower of the former abbey church of La Trinité, a masterpiece of Flamboyant Gothic with a richly carved façade, still dominates the town despite the loss of much of the monastic buildings in the Revolution.

On the hill above the historic centre, the ruins of the feudal castle, ringed by their old ramparts, offer a wide view over the town and the Loir valley. Old half-timbered houses, remains of fortifications and riverside gardens make Vendôme a popular stop on the road between Paris and the Loire châteaux.

← Other sites in Loir-et-Cher