Chateaux of the Loire Valley
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 The architectural Renaissance masterpieces, the romantic period of
French history and the bucolic countryside make the Loire Valley a
must-see destination.
Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site (between Sully and Chalonnes), the majestic river and its rich history call for explorations of many kinds.
The most famous chateaux in the Loire Valley are Azay-le-Rideau, Chambord and Chenonceau and are the perfect spots for a romantic tour with the blessing of the Kings of France!
 Azay-le-Rideau - Discover the romantic demeure of Francois 1st
The castle of Azay was built during the creative period of the beginning of Francois the 1st's reign. The castle is located in Touraine and it belongs to the prestigious Val de Loire castles, where French kings enjoyed to living for centuries. Set on the Indre River in the middle of a park, the chateau is still attached to its small town.
Several ways to discover the castle and the park are possible: free visit, guided tour, lecture-visit and an audio visit in several tongues. The educational objectives of the site also succeed in making the place and it's castle accessible to a younger public with fun-visits, discover-visits and artistic lessons animated by artists, dancers, story-tellers and musicians.
 Chambord - Cycling with the Kings
The Royal Château at Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, France is one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world because of its very distinct French Renaissance architecture that blends traditional french medieval forms with classical Italian structures.
It is the largest castle in the Loire Valley, but was built to serve only as a hunting lodge for King François I, who maintained his royal residences at Château de Blois and at Château d'Amboise. The original design of the Château de Chambord was by Domenico da Cortona, but was altered considerably during the twenty years of its construction (1519-1547). Leonardo da Vinci, a guest of King François at Clos Lucé near Amboise, is believed to have been involved in the original design. Nearing completion, King François showed off his enormous symbol of wealth and power by hosting his old enemy, Emperor Charles V.
Tip: Rent a bicycle and ride around the castle and in the gardens for an original visit.
 Chenonceau - Lose yourself in its garden during a romantic night walk
Built on the River Cher, where the unique beauty of its architecture reflects in the water, the Château de Chenonceau is the Val de Loire’s finial.
Château des Dames as recorded in the French history books, Chenonceau owes a large part of its charm to women: it was built in 1513 by Katherine Briçonnet, then made even more attractive by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis, and saved from the rigours of the French Revolution by Mrs Dupin.
The lovely surroundings, the formal garden and the park surrounding it add to the impression of delicate grace emanating from the castle.Chenonceau is not only remarkable for its architecture and history but also for the fine quality of its collections as can be seen from the inside visit: Renaissance furniture, a vast ensemble of XVI th and XVII th centuries tapestries and a great number of masterpieces. Le Primatice, Rubens, Le Tintoret, Rigaud, Nattier, Van Loo are among the most famous names that can be found there.
Night Walk - A true night dream throughout a romantic walk with the beautiful music of Corelli. Shade and light scenes on the Monument and in the Gardens of Diane and Catherine.
Today it is owned by a private family and is the most visited (one million visitors per year). Ipods are used for the audio visit, available in many languages.
Don't forget the local specialties (Touraine is also the home of French Renaissance writer François Rabelais!) and the renowned vineyards of Sancerre, Bourgueuil, Chinon. The Loire Valley offers many options of exploration in all directions.
How to get there
Two hours from Paris on the autoroute, 1 hour by TGV to Tours (also available directly from the Charles-de-Gaulle airport) 1hour 40 minutes by local train from Orléans. The Centre region is also accessible by the night train from Barcelona to Orléans or from Madrid to Blois.
Tip: For 25 euros you can obtain a pass known as "La clé du temps" – "The Key to Time" for entrance to a ten of the historical chateaux residences in the Loire Valley. Included are the homes of François I at Blois, Saumur, Amboise and the nearby Clos Lucé Leonardo de Vinci resided.
Article and photos courtesy Maison de la France
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Last Updated ( Feb 16, 2009 )
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