Editing Indre-et-Loire (section)

===Early times===
Indre-et-Loire is one of the original 83 departments established during the [[French Revolution]] on 4 March 1790. It was created from the former [[provinces of France|province]] of [[Touraine]] and of small portions of [[Orléanais]], [[Duchy of Anjou|Anjou]] and [[Poitou]].<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Indre-et-Loire |volume=14 |page=501}}</ref> Its prefecture, [[Tours]], was a centre of learning in the [[Early Middle Ages]], having been a key focus of Christian evangelisation since St Martin became its first bishop around 375. From the mid-15th century, the royal court repaired to the [[Loire Valley]], with Tours as its capital; the confluence of the Loire River and Cher River became a centre of silk manufacturing and other luxury goods, including the wine trade, creating a prosperous bourgeoisie.