Indre-et-Loire, historically known as Touraine, sits at the heart of the Loire Valley, its capital, Tours, well connected by rail to Paris and the surrounding region. This makes the department an easy base for exploring some of the most celebrated countryside in France. With its strong royal heritage, Indre-et-Loire is home to the Château de Chenonceau, which spans the River Cher, and to the fortress town of Chinon, known for its vineyards as much as its castle. Elsewhere in the department, buyers will find the quieter villages of Langeais and Loches, and the riverside town of Montrésor, combining an elegant chateau with a peaceful setting. Indre-et-Loire is recognised too for its refined character, with Tours long famous for having the clearest, most polished spoken French in the country. A temperate climate brings warm summers and mild winters. Options on the market range from a townhouse in Tours, a vineyard property near Chinon or a stone farmhouse in the countryside. With royal chateaux, vineyards and river scenery, it remains one of the most loved parts of the Loire Valley. For buyers considering the local property market, the average price for a house in Indre-et-Loire is €2,053/m².