Summary
Highlights
The Chateau of Chambord, built 500 years ago, is the largest and most visited chateau in the Loire Valley. Highlights include its spectacular roofs with over 280 chimneys, a vast 13,000-acre park, and a double spiral staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci. With over 400 rooms, including the King's and Queen's bedrooms, it showcases Francois I's power and was originally a hunting lodge.
The Chateau of Chenonceau is distinctive for being built over the River Cher, resembling a bridge. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens, including those of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici, and features a huge maze. The impressive 60-meter-long gallery over the bridge is adorned with medallions. The chateau boasts beautifully decorated rooms, including Diane de Poitiers' and Cesar of Vendôme's bedrooms, unique furniture, and intricate sculptures.
The Chateau of Villandry, built in 1536, is famed for its enormous and unique gardens, which feature 52 kilometers of boxwood and 115,000 plants and vegetables. The gardens are a blend of plants and edibles, a surprise for many visitors. The chateau itself was bought in 1906 by Joaquin Carvalho and his wife, Ann Coleman, to house their art collection, and they later restored the original Renaissance garden. It remains privately owned and managed by their great-grandson.
The Chateau of Cheverny, built in 1634, inspired Tintin's Marlin Spike Hall and is one of the best-preserved chateaus. It uniquely survived the French Revolution with minimal damage. Its interior boasts painted ceilings by Jean Monier, leather-covered walls, and spectacular armors. The King's room is noted for its 16th-century Persian embroidery with gold, silver, and silk threads. The chateau also has a partnership with Lego, featuring sculptures, and is known for its daily feeding of over 100 hounds.
The Chateau of Azay-Le-Rideau, built in 1518, is a prime example of French Renaissance architecture. It was rebuilt on the site of a medieval fortress, retaining aesthetic towers, fortifications, and a moat. Its main attraction is the beautifully furnished interior, restored to its 19th-century appearance with state-owned furniture. Notable exhibits include a mechanized music box. The surrounding medieval town square is also a charming stop.
The Chateau of Blois is an architecturally complex castle, showcasing four main styles: Gothic (medieval castle), Flamboyant (Louis XII), Renaissance (François I wing with its famous staircase), and Classical (Gaston de Orléans wing). The seigniorial room, the largest non-religious Gothic structure in France, served as a courthouse, banquet room, and ballroom. The 800-year-old original roof beams above this room and the restored Royal Apartments are key features.
The Chateau of Amboise is a historically significant royal castle where several kings were born and raised. Perched on a hill overlooking the Loire Valley, its fortifications date back to the Roman era, with the main body built by Charles VIII in 1492 in an early Renaissance style. François I, a patron of the arts, brought Leonardo da Vinci to France, who lived nearby and is buried in the chateau's chapel. Its gardens feature unique round boxwood bushes, a departure from typical French geometric designs.
The Chateau Ussé is a captivating mix of Medieval and Renaissance architecture, believed to have inspired Walt Disney's castles. It features a "Sleeping Beauty" theme throughout, with scenes from the fairy tale. The chateau houses beautiful furniture, including a 16th-century Italian ebony cabinet. Visitors can walk the ramparts, offering a soldier's perspective of the countryside. The stables display beautiful saddles, and the chapel has intricate wooden sculpted pews.
The Chateau of Valençay, a lesser-known but serene chateau, replaced a medieval castle in 1520 with a Renaissance structure. It boasts a unique romantic garden, distinct from other French gardens, and peacocks roam freely. The north wing has an impressive center keep, while the west wing, built in 1767, is in a classical style. Its most famous owner was Charles Maurice de Talleyrand, Napoleon's chief diplomat, whose treasures, including swords, uniforms, and medals, are displayed. The 19th-century dining room and kitchens, associated with famous chef Antonin Carême, are also notable.
The Chateau de Sully stands out as the most medieval of the Loire Valley castles, retaining its moat, towers, and thick walls. Its large Main Hall features French-painted beams and decorated windows. Strategically located on the Loire River, the rampart walk offers a true medieval experience with views over the moat and river. A King's bedroom, always prepared for royal visits, famously hosted Louis XIV. A more ornate 19th-century wing contrasts with the medieval part, showcasing beautiful furniture, tapestries, and painted ceilings.