The long history of Angers is very interesting to learn about. Chateau d’Usse is a beautiful castle that sits on a hill over the Loire Valley. It was great to be surprised. Where one discovers castle life at the beginning of the 20th century, in the footsteps of Louise, the chambermaid. Construction started in 1519 and was completed some 20 years later. Wander through at your own pace as Italian classical music replaces the birdsong. Charles Perrault was inspired by it to write Sleeping Beauty! This chateau was at one time a residence for King Louis VII of France and was also where King Francis I was raised. Even though it looks like on Google Maps you can take Parc de Chenonceau to the viewing point, this road is actually gated. Chenonceau is lovely inside, with Gobelin tapestries and paintings by masters like Poussin and Rubens adorning the room of Five Queens, the apartment of Louis XIV, the grand gallery overlooking the River Cher and the Green Cabinet of Catherine de Medici and the kitchens. The castle in Angers is one of the older chateaus, the site has actually been occupied since the Stone Age (12,000 years ago!). Known as the Garden of France, the Loire Valley is full of rolling fields and orchards. The terrace gives a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and the Loire. I can’t even imagine how many hours go into maintaining the gardens. They also have a collection of clothing from different time periods that they display on a rotating basis. Tapestries cover the walls of the King’s apartments, furnished in grand regal style with Gothic and Renaissance pieces. Chateau d’Amboise sits above the town of Amboise on a rocky outcropping. Fortress of Montbazon. You can purchase tickets for Villandry here. For ease of understanding, however, we have classified them into two broad categories. Chenonceau was really special feeling. Sully, at the eastern end of the Loire Valley, is not one of the blockbuster châteaux, but it’s one of my favorites. I expected the castles of the Loire Valley to blur together and get repetitive. I visited in late summer and had fantastic weather and found that it wasn’t too crowded. Castle of Azay-le-Rideau. There’s an emphasis on the holy wars fought in France as well as on Joan of Arc. Originally built in the 1470s, the stone-and-brick building was the summer cottage of the monarchs. There are four of them and they each represent a different type of love. To say that the castles in Touraine are part of the landscape would be an understatement! I have had the opportunity to live as well as do field research as a primatologist abroad. There is no access to the Chateau however as the bridge is locked from this side of the river. The château was built by the architect of the Louvre and Vincennes, then bought by Maximilien de Bethune (1560-1641) who became Duc de Sully in 1602. After all, how different can one French castle be from the next? Inside you visit his bedroom, the kitchen, his study, the chapel with its walls covered in frescoes painted by his pupils. Climb the staircase to some glorious rooms furnished in period style. This is a huge international affair with gardens designed by professionals from around the world. Unlike the others, it isn’t in a rural setting at all but right in the middle of the city of Angers. Tapestries on the walls; painted wooden ceilings; ornate gilded fireplaces, Old Master paintings, portraits, over-stuffed chairs, ornate cabinets by Boulle so beloved by Louis XIV, half tester and four-poster beds covered in red and gold silk, and armor on the walls - all of which gives the château a lived-in feeling, though of the grandest kind. A lot of descriptions I read in guidebooks made it sound boring but stated it was a must-visit in France. If bus tours don’t appeal to you, some chateaus are reachable using bikes. It looks like a magical place to visit and adding to my list! Check with the local tourist office when you visit the first château on your itinerary or ask at the ticket office for information. If you don’t want to rent a car or only have time for a day trip, consider joining a day tour to the Loire Valley. Cheverny, unusually for one of the Loire’s great châteaux, is still in the same family that built it in 1634. The vegetable gardens are each done up with geometric patterns to make them beautiful as well as functional. In a few years’ time, The Touraine region has become the place to be in December thanks for “Christmas in the land of chateaux”. After his assassination, Louise retired to the château and took the white costume of mourning, becoming known as the ‘white Queen’ for the rest of her life. 16th and 17th tapestries line the walls, keeping out the winter chill and the collection of furniture is notable. Everywhere is on my travel wish-list. You can view Chateau de Chenonceau from here for free. If you don’t want to pay tour the chateau, its very easy to see for free. It’s worth visiting Chateau Villandry just to experience the gardens and the care that has gone into developing the grounds. Set your GPS to “Parcheggio per Belvedere del castello di Chenonceau.” There is a road to access it that is very easy to miss as it is a small side road. They are definitely extravagant. Mary Anne Evans is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers. In July and August, the gardens are open at night and beautifully lit up. The revival is here to stay and Touraine’s heritage has its sights set firmly on the future. Château de Chenonceau: Visit the property of Diane de Poitiers and then Catherine de Médici, its arches elegantly spanning the Cher. Those heritage sites are the legacy of the French kings who adored the Loire Valley. I really did love visiting all the castles! It is the occasion for 7 of our most famous castles to dedicate their monument to the magic of Christmas and celebrate the end of the year ! She lives part-time in Auvergne, France and writes travel articles about the country. Many people come to the château for the Tintin exhibition. From there you … Chaumont in the Loire-et-Cher departement is famous for two things. And there’s also a secret entrance used, according to tradition, by François I when he wanted to visit Leonardo without all the pomp and ceremony usually surrounding the King. One of the oldest fortified châteaux in France, Chinon was vital in the Middle Ages and at the time of Henry II in the 12th century, was a vast, imposing structure, its huge walls dotted with defensive towers that circled the vast castle and grounds. Most of these buildings have been modified over time. I can happily report that I was blown away with how much fun the Loire Valley is to explore. Budget: Anne d’Anjou Hotel and Spa looks like a great place to stay. Saumur also has its own turreted chateau that sits above the town. Firstly, the white stone château that stands high up on a hill overlooking the Loire Valley. And made me even more excited for my trip!! You can also get the train to Amboise and then join tours from there to see the chateaux. Thank you! The chateau of Langeais, near the River Loire. Beautiful guide, and so useful. Castle of Candé. It would be so fun to hot air balloon over Chenonceau. Parking is paid but there is a free public washroom. Château du Clos Lucé. Castle of Langeais. Castle of Villandry. A large collection of objects is to be discovered in this historical monument marked by the presence of Xavier Branicki, a very rich Polish count in exile during the nineteenth century. I took my first trip abroad in high school and I've been hooked ever since. Make sure to leave some space in your itinerary as the Loire Valley is a great place to explore slowly, leaving room to find hidden gems. It’s a magnet for anybody interested in the subject, and each year provides new inspiration. Almost everywhere, there are initiatives helping to improve the ways of discovering the Loire Valley castles and the visitor trails.Cycling Loire Valley … Most people visit Villandry to see the phenomenal gardens. For the best experience in the Loire Valley visit in spring (April-June) and Autumn (September-October). Thank you for supporting Curious Travel Bug! Check out my Privacy Policy for more information. I love when places surprise you! Staterooms include the rich Royal Chamber, the bedroom of Louis XIII in 1619. You can learn more about the Dames de Chenonceau is the Musee de Cire (Wax Museum) just by the château. If you have the time to spare, it’s definitely worth spending a few nights. This is definitely a place I need to add to my list, I want to visit all of them. Built on an island in the River Indre by Gilles Berthelot, a rich financier during the reign of François I, the setting and the pretty towers and turrets of this enchanting castle make this one of the favorite châteaux in the Touraine region. The 22 châteaux of the Loire Valley include Chambord, Chenonceau, Sully-sur-Loire, Angers or Les Ducs de Bretagne in Nantes. With more than 300 chateaux, the Loire Valley is the perfect place to visit if you want to see an abundance of castles in France. A small walk up the belvedere and woods gives you a view of the most gorgeous of the gardens, the ornamental garden. At Christmas, Chenonceau is magical with huge Christmas trees in the gallery overlooking the Cher and tables laid for a banquet in the kitchens. Hot air balloning over the chateaux has been on my bucket list for some time. It was at this time that the tradition of gardens, considered as ‘outdoor salons’, came into being in the Loire Valley. Afterward, walk through the different exhibits of the castle. Standing high above the town of Blois, the extraordinary château was built over the centuries so you walk through different architectural gems. You know, I don’t think I have ever considered castle fatigue! History aside, to get the best view of the castle, go across the river so that you can see the River Loire and castle. The Mediterranean gardens are wonderful to stroll around; there are also guided tours of the underground passageways (in French). One of the more interesting rooms is actually the kitchen. Visit to the last residence of Leonardo da Vinci. Chateau Angers is so impressive, I couldn’t believe how imposing it looks. How cool they’re all in the same area too! If you choose carefully, you can vary your experience so it’s more than just castle after castle. Each site uncovers one of the fundamental chapters of the history of France. Voltaire also sheltered in the house of his lover, Emilie du Châtelet, in Champagne. And the gardens of the château themselves are continually being changed and improved. Definitely a good alternative for those looking to save a bit of money but not miss out on seeing castles. I can see how it could get tiring though! Catherine bequeathed Chenonceau to her daughter-in-law, Louise de Lorraine, wife of Henry III. It’s well done and enjoyable to read the story. Today the ruins, which have been partially restored, look over the river. My favourite part of the tour was actually walking through an old attic area. Chaumont's second claim to fame is its annual, summer-long Garden Festival running from April to October. Drive across the bridge across from the Chateau d’Usse and pull over just after the bridge. I would have visited more chateau in the Loire Valley if I had time.