Centre region
The region of Centre covers a vast area to the south west of Paris.  It is a mainly agricultural area though there are several large cities with hotels, bars, restaurants and excellent shopping.  The travel links to the UK are good, with an airport at Tours and easy TGV and motorway links.  The mighty river Loire flows through the region and there are many fine chateaux and the cities of Tours, Chartres and Orleans have imposing cathedrals to visit.
There are many places to stay in the region of Centre.  The big cities all offer excellent hotels and fine restaurants, but if your taste or budget is for something simpler there is plenty to be found.   There are smaller hotels and bed and breakfast establishments in most of the smaller towns and larger villages and many privately owned gites and apartments available to rent for a self catering holiday.  Whatever your choice, you are sure to find a warm welcome and to have a memorable holiday.
The Departments
The department of Cher is at the south east corner of the region.  It is a mainly agricultural and wooded landscape with some vineyards, the Sancerre being the most famous.  The city of Bourges is the capital and has many shops, bars, hotels and restaurants.  There are several interesting buildings and museums to be enjoyed. 
Eure-et-Loir is the most northerly department in the region.  It is one of the most productive arable areas in France and has a vast plain of isolated farms and large villages.  The capital, Chartres, is world famous for its Gothic cathedral and is a lovely city to visit.  There are large areas of forest with miles of marked walking trails and cycling tracks.  This is not a particularly hilly area, so cycling does not have to be too strenuous!
The department of Indre is right in the south of the region, where Centre meets Limousin.  The north of the department is relatively flat, but in the south the north western tip of the Massif Central is in evidence and the countryside is maily rolling hills and woods.  There are several superb chateaux along the river Loire which should be on everyone's visiting list.  The capital is Chateauroux, which is quite a large industrial centre with a thriving aircraft industry.
Indre-et-Loire is known as the Garden of France.  It is a lush agricultural area with cattle raising, orchards and vineyards in abundance.  The cosmopolitan city of Tours is the department's capital.  It has theatres, museums, hotels, bars, restaurants and is a lively place with an international flavour.  There is an airport here.  The river Loire, with its attendant beautiful chateaux, flows through the department and the river valley is particularly fertile here.
Loir-et-Cher is famous for its 15th and 16th century chateaux, which are stunningly beautiful.  In the north of the department land is mainly used for growing wheat, but in the south the landscape is more varied with rolling wooded hills.  The capital of the department is Blois, which is an attractive place with good shopping and restaurants.
The department of Loiret is at the north east corner of the region.  The city of Orleans is the capital and is a lovely city with a superb cathedral and excellent shopping.  It is a vibrant place with lots going on.  The department's share of the Loire Valley is a large vinegar producing area, one of the most important in France.  The countryside is fairly flat and is therefore ideal for walkers and cyclists who don't want to work too hard, but still want to enjoy what rural France has to offer.