Blere, a town of France, in the department, of Indre-et-Loire, on the left bank of the Cher, 15 m. E. S. E. of Tours; pop. in 1866, 3,561. In the vicinity stands the castle of Chenon-ceaux. Originally a simple manor house, it was enlarged during the reign of Francis I. to its present dimensions. Henry II. purchased it in 1535, and gave it to Diana of Poitiers, who, before completing the magnificent embellishments which she had commenced, was forced to yield it to Catharine de' Medici. The latter adorned the castle still more richly, and surrounded it with a beautiful park. It afterward came into the possession of the house of Conde, and after many vicissitudes was purchased in 1733 by Gen. Dupin, whose accomplished wife made it the resort of some of the most celebrated men of the 18th century. Montesquieu, Voltaire, Fontenelle, Bolingbroke, Buffon, and others, were among its frequent visitors. The castle is still in excellent preservation. The remains of a Roman aqueduct are to be seen near the city.

Blere is the entrepot of the trade along the Cher, and is especially noted for its red wines.

Castle of Chenonceaux.