The 10 Must See Chateaux To Tour In The Loire Valley In France

The royalty of France, seduced by the temperate(0)2 47 23 90 07 Open: Closed 25th Dec & 1st Jan, 1st
climate and the game-filled oak forests erected theirMay
sumptuous homes here in the Loire Valley. TheyChateau du Chaumont
surrounded themselves with the greatest architectsChateau du Chaumont is located on the southern bank
and artiests of this era. This is the country of aof the Loire River about 20 minutes west of Blois. It
thousand castles. The valley is full of not only royalwas the first chateau at Chaumont-sur-Loire,
castles and renaissance palaces, national museum andLoir-et-Cher, France. Originating in the 11th century, it
large magnificent chateaux, but also medieval castleswas built by Eudes II, Count of Blois.
and fortresses, small fairy tale manors, privateIn 1560, the castle became the property of Catherine
chateaux, medieval cities, churches, abbeys, andde' Medici who entertained numerous astrologers
cathedrals. Many chateaux and stately homes arethere, including Nostradamus. On the death of her
open to the public: some are state owned, such ashusband, King Henry II, Catherine used her power to
Chambord and Blois; others are private, and still lived in.take over the much coveted Chateau de Chenonceau
A large percentage of them run son-et-lumiere showsfrom her husband's mistress, Diane de Poitiers. As
during the tourist season. Chateau de Chenonceau andcertain legalities had to be met, Diane was forced to
Chateau de Chambord are definitely worth a visit andaccept the Chateau de Chaumont as payment for her
are near to Blois.beloved Chenonceau. Diane de Poitiers lived at
Chateau du Clos LuceChaumont for only a short time when the castle was
Chateau du Clos Luce is where Leonard de Vincisold.
spent the last fouryears of his life. You can visit hisThe chateau holds an international garden festival
study, salons, kitchen and bedrooms, the chapel andcovering a different theme each year from April to
see frescoes painted by his pupils. His drawings andOctober.
paintings are set out in the park of the chateau withChateau de Chambord
giant models of the most spectacular machines heChambord is truly royal in its great scale, its grand air,
invented with voice-overs of Leonardo da Vinci andits indifference to common consideration (Henry
his disciple Melzi.James). It combined the dream of King Francois I with
Le Chateau du Clos Luce: 30 minutes from us, atthe imagination of Leonardo de Vinci. The result is a
demeure de Leonard de Vinci,Amboise 37400 Tel:real mathematisation of architecture, a grandiose
+33(0)2 47 57 00 73 Open: daily except 25 Decembercreation : 440 rooms with 365 fireplaces, a fabulous
to 1st Januarydouble staircase, and a unique roof terrace
Chateau BloisChateau de Chambord: 15 minutes south east of Blois,
Chateau Blois is almost like four separate chateauxDomaine national de Chambord, Chambord, Tel: +33
rolled into one - so diverse are the architectural styles(0)2 54 5040 00 Open: Closed on 25th Dec, 1st Jan
at play here. The Medieval heart is centred around theand 1st May
Salle des Etats Generaux which is where the courtChateau de Cheverney
and council were based. Flamboyant Gothic flair isChateau de Cheverny is unmistakedly the most
evident in the Louis XII wing whereas Renaissancelavishly furnished of all the Loire Valley Chateaux. Built
architecture is the dominant style in the Francois 1 wing.between 1604 and 1634 little has changed. Its present
It is in the Francois 1 wing that you'll find Catherine deowner is a direct descendant of the original owner and
Medici's private rooms complete with array of poisons.his 70 hounds or so are still used for regular stag
This was also the spot where the Duc de Guise washunting. Some of the chateau's masterpieces include
brutally murdered in 1588 after he was thought to bepaintings by old masters, tapestries from Paris and
planning a Catholic uprising against Henri III. Apparently, itHolland plus Louis XIV's commode and unforgettable
was Henri who carried out the deed himself only to begrandfather clock. The 1640s interior decoration,
murdered himself a year later by a monk. Lastly, theconsisting of panelling, painted ceilings, and fireplaces,
Gaston d'Orleans wing will satisfy any cravings forand paintings by Jean Monnier, is among the finest of
Classical architecture. Evenings are a particularly goodits kind.
time to visit Blois especially if you book to see the 'sonThere are two interesting facts pertaining to Cheverny.
et lumiere' shows that recount the chateau's turbulentFirstly, serious Tintin fans will note that Herge based
past.the mythical Moulinsart on Cheverny. If this appeals,
Chateau de Blois: Place du Chateau, Blois, 41000 Tel:check out the Tintin exhibition situated directly opposite
+33 (0)2 54 90 33 33 Open: Closed on 25th Dec andthe chateau. Secondly, the 18th century Orangerie
1st Janserved as a hiding place for the Mona Lisa during
Chateau Azay le Rideauworld war 2. From here, you'll be able to take in the
The Azay le Rideau Castle, one of the purest creationmajesty of the park and its canals which are open to
of the Renaissance, was built on an island of the Indrethe public from April to November.
River, an ideal setting for an architectural gem. TheChateau de Cheverny: 16 kilometres south-east of
son-et-lumiere spectacles held in the park during theBlois, Cheverny, 41700 Tel: +33 (0)2 54 79 96 29
summer tell some of the history of the Chateau andOpen: Open daily
are not to be missed if you are there at the right time.Chateau de Beauregard
Chateau de ChenonceauChateau de Beauregard was mostly built at the same
Le Chateau des Dames built on a bridge across thetime as Chateau de Cheverny as a hunting lodge for
river Cher is one of the more beautiful chateaux of theFrancois I. It is famous for its Galerie des Portraits
Loire with elegant turrets, arches and stately avenueswhich comprises over 327 portraits of Kings and their
bordered by plane trees. It's romantic feel is furtherlovers plus famous dignitaries from 14th to
heightened by the fact that its stylised and symmetricalseventeenth centuries. Take note of the unique flooring
structure is reflected in the waters of the Cher.that is covered in seventeenth century porcelain tiles.
Chenonceau owes much of its design and beauty toChateau de Beauregard: 6 kilometres south of Blois,
four women in particular. It was Catherine de BriconnetCellettes, 41120 Tel: +33 (0)2 54 70 36 74 Open:
who first started the trend and was largely responsibleClosed Wed in winter months and entirely for the
for its early Renaissance style. Catherine then passedmonth of January
the baton to Diane de Poiters (mistress of Henri II) whoChateau de Villandry
was responsible for the formal gardens to the left ofVillandry was one of the last of the very big chateaux
the chateau as you approach it. Unfortunately Dianebuilt around 1536 in the Loire valley during the
de Poitiers was forced to relinquish ownership ofrenaissance. It houses some interesting and very
Chenonceau to Catherine de Medici (the embitteredvaluable antiques and furnishings but it is probably best
wife of Henri II) who offered Chateau de Chaumont inknown for its Italian Renaissance garden created by
exchange. Not entirely a fair swap! Later the castleDoctor Carvallo. As well as being very ornate and
was inherited by Louise de Lorraine, the bereaveddecorative, the gardens produce fruit, vegetables and
wife of Henri III Catherine's favourite son. Louiseherbs which are sold locally to raise funds for the
painted her bedroom ceiling black and white out ofmaintenance of the chateau.
respect for her late husband.Chateau de Villandry
Madame Dupin also had a pivotal role in theVillandry was one of the last of the very big chateaux
development of Chenonceau in the 18th century andbuilt around 1536 in the Loire valley during the
was responsible for encouraging literary events to berenaissance. It houses some interesting and very
held here. The likes of Rousseau, Voltaire andvaluable antiques and furnishings but it is probably best
Montesquieu all spending time here. Todayknown for its Italian Renaissance garden created by
Chenonceau is a profitable business run by the MenierDoctor Carvallo. As well as being very ornate and
family who are known as respected chocolatiers.decorative, the gardens produce fruit, vegetables and
Chateau de Chenonceaux: Chateau de Chenonceau,herbs which are sold locally to raise funds for the
30 minutes from Blois, Chenonceau, 37150 Tel: +33maintenance of the chateau.