This part of the river flows through two regions, Centre and Pays de la Loire, and four departments (le Loiret, le Loir et Cher, l'Indre et Loire et le Maine et Loire). In the Loire Valley, the biggest tributaries are the Vienne, the Cher and the Indre. A low limestone and tuff stone cliff is often to be found on either side of the valley between Orleans and Angers.

A lot of small islands and sand or gravel banks are visible all along the river, which has an extremely changeable width and depth according to the season and the year. The Loire floods usually happen in winter and are most of the time without any consequence, thanks to dykes built on its sides. Downstream from Orleans, the main cities are Blois, Amboise, Tours, Saumur and Angers, the main castles being Sully sur Loire, Blois, Chaumont Sur Loire, Amboise, Saumur, others being located at a distance from the Loire.