The Cher is a river in central France, a left tributary of the Loire. It is 365.1 km long, and its basin area is 13718 km2. Its source is in the Creuse department, north-east of Crocq. It joins the river Loire at Villandry, west of Tours. The river suffered a devastating flood in 1940, which damaged the Château de Chenonceau, which spans the river, and other structures along the banks. It owes its name to the pre-Indo-European root kʰar 'stone'.

Departments and towns

The Cher flows through the following departments, and along the following towns:

Tributaries

The main tributaries of the Cher are, from spring to mouth (L: left / R: right):

Navigation

The Cher was part of a network of waterways that linked the city of Tours to Nevers, where connections to other regions of France existed. , only the 54 km section between Larçay (southeast of Tours) and Noyers-sur-Cher is navigable for small boats (maximum draft 80 cm). It has 14 locks. At Noyers-sur-Cher, it is connected with the Canal de Berry, of which only the westernmost 15 km section until Selles-sur-Cher is navigable.