Indre Property Guide

For buying and selling property in Indre

Indre - heart of the Berry Limousin

The Indre, department 36, is located in the south of the Centre-Val-de-Loire and is named after the river that flows through it. It has a historical link to the neighbouring department of Cher as together they form the old province of Berry. This is considered to be the most attractive part of the Loire Valley. The department is best known for its pyramid-shaped goat's cheeses and scrumptious pies.

A great place to lose time

The Indre is a medieval department just waiting to be explored. It proudly boasts over 80 churches and 100 castles. The green hills and open fields that make up the surrounding countryside are great places to relax and spend time. The area is unspoiled by tourism or industry.

Where to go for what

In the north, the castles of Valencay, Bulges and Argy form a ‘Golden triangle’. It is here that a music festival takes place every September. In the west, you will find the vast plains around Issoudun, a major wine producing area. This may explain the high number of people wishing to retire here! In the south are spectacular landscapes that inspired the likes of Monet and Guillaumin. To the north-west you will encounter the beautiful nature reserve of Brenne, nicknamed ‘the country of a thousand lakes’. This is a great place to go hunting or fishing. There is a great variety of flora and fauna in the area making it an ideal place for nature lovers to visit. The centre of the Indre around Châteauroux is where you will find the cultural heart of the department. It is here that many festivities take place over the summer months. Châteauroux is the capital of the Indre with a population of just over 50,000.

How to get there

Unfortunately, the Indre doesn't have its own international airport. The nearest one is in Tours, which has regular Ryanair flights connecting Indre to the UK. These days it’s just as easy to get there by train, though. UK visitors can simply take the Channel Tunnel and then hop onto one of France’s fast and comfortable TGV trains, which will take you to Tours by way of Paris. Travelling by car is still always an option as the department is only a few hours drive from Paris.

What about property prices and availability in the Indre?

Despite the popularity of the area with retirees and second home owners, there are still some very cheap properties here. There is the possibility of renting out your property, although the market here is not as established as in the major tourist destinations.