indre

Indre is a name used for two geographical entities in central France: a department in the Centre-Val de Loire region and a river that flows through the area. The Indre department is named after the Indre River, which runs through the territory. Created during the French Revolution in 1790 from parts of the old Berry province, Indre covers a predominantly rural area of central France. The prefecture is Châteauroux. The department includes several sub-prefectures and arrondissements, and its landscape features farmland, forests, and small towns. The Brenne Regional Natural Park, known for its marshes and biodiversity, lies in part within Indre, illustrating the region’s natural heritage.

The Indre River itself is a left-bank tributary of the Loire. It rises in the Massif Central and generally flows northwest across the Berry region before emptying into the Loire. The river has historically supported agricultural communities along its banks and contributed to local economies through irrigation and small-scale transport. Its valley is noted for scenic landscapes, including wetland areas and rural villages.