Loir-et-Cher (French pronunciation: [lwa.ʁ‿e.ʃɛʁ]) is a department in the Centre-Val de Loire region, France. Its name is originated from two rivers which cross it, the Loir on the North and the Cher on the South. Its prefecture is Blois. The INSEE and La Poste gave it the number 41.
The department of Loir-et-Cher covers a territory which had a substantial population during the prehistoric period. However it was not until the Middle Ages that local inhabitants built various castles and other fortifications to enable them to withstand a series of invasions of Normans, Bourguignons, the English and others.
The economy is quite flourishing: there are shops in valley, the agriculture is growing in the region of the Beauce and the Perche to the Sologne which knew a certain prosperity until the 17th century. However, politically, the region remains quartered between the earldoms and the duchies neighbouring. In 1397, the House of Orleans becomes the possession of the Comté of Blois. In 1497, Louis d’Orleans (23rd count hereditary of Blois) was crowned with the name of Louis XII. It’s the beginning of the importance of Blois and of the Blaisois in the politic life of the French, impressive especially under the last Valois. At this time, kings and important financials compete to build castles and elegant abodes which are today on the first place of the national heritage due to their quantity, their significance and their worth. (Chambord, Blois, Cheverny and so on.)