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To make your trip as comfortable as possible, we recommend renting a car or staying in the town of Tours, which offers convenient access to most of the Loire Valley castles by public transportation.
This castle, one of the most beautiful and visited in France, is called the "women's castle" or "ladies' castle" - women played an important role in its history.
Château de Chenonceau, built on the site of a medieval château in 1513-1517, was confiscated shortly after the owner's death and became the property of King Francis I. His son Henry II gave the château to his favorite Diane de Poitiers, who was 20 years older than the monarch. His son Henry II, on ascending the throne, gave the castle to his favorite Diane de Poitiers, who was 20 years older than the monarch. Diana had to leave the estate under pressure from the king's lawful wife, Catherine de Medici, after his death at a tournament.
Later, the castle changed hands many times, but one thing remained unchanged - it was taken care of mainly by the wives of the owners. Chenonceau is still privately owned today, but is open to visitors.
The most valuable exhibits of the museum are antique furniture, tapestries and paintings, among which there are works by Rubens, Tintoretto, Van Dyck and other outstanding European masters of the XVI-XVIII centuries.
Ticket price: €15.50.
The castle was built in the early 16th century for King Francis I, who wanted to be able to hunt and meet the lady of his heart who lived nearby. Leonardo da Vinci, who was the court architect at the time and died a few months before construction began, was involved in the design of the building. During a walk through the castle you will see the famous double spiral staircase - the genius's idea, which he never got the chance to see realized.
The building is astonishing in its size: 156 by 117 meters, 426 rooms, 77 staircases, 282 fireplaces. There are evidences that the king even wanted to adjust the Loire riverbed so that the river flowed right under the windows of his residence, but he gave up this idea.
Chambord is surrounded by a huge park, where you can see rare plants and animals (the territory is protected by the state). It is the most visited of the Loire Valley castles, about 700000 people come here annually.
An interesting fact for Disney fans: Chambord became the prototype of the main character's castle in the animated film "Beauty and the Beast".
Ticket price: €16.
The castle and the three hectares of land around it were bought in the early 16th century by Louise of Savoy, mother of King Francis I. Clos Lucé is worth seeing if only because Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life here. The interior of the rooms where the artist lived has been recreated, and the museum and park exhibit his inventions, including prototypes of a helicopter, airplane, tank and parachute that amaze tourists with their resemblance to their modern counterparts.
Da Vinci is buried in the chapel of the nearby Chateau of Amboise.
Ticket price: €18.
The most fabulous chateau of the Loire Valley, where young travelers will not be bored! Firstly, the nursery on the top floor houses a collection of 19th century toys. Secondly, it is believed that Yousse inspired Charles Perrault to write The Sleeping Beauty, so part of the exhibition is dedicated to the famous fairy tale and its characters.
Adult visitors will appreciate the unique furniture of the XVIII century, a collection of costumes of the XVIII-XIX centuries and Saracen weapons, as well as sparkling wine produced by a local winery, which can be purchased in the store at the castle.
Ticket price: €14, audio guide €3.
The most famous owner of this chateau was the diplomat Charles de Talleyrand, a master of political intrigue, French Foreign Minister under three regimes and Napoleon's right-hand man. He is buried on his former estate in the Loire Valley.
The castle was built from the 12th to the 18th century and today it is considered an outstanding monument of Renaissance and French Classicist architecture. It is famous for its perfectly preserved interior rooms (including the kitchens, where one of the greatest chefs of the XIX century - Antonin Karem worked) and a collection of antique furniture, as well as the imperial theater and a huge park, where peacocks, llamas and other exotic birds and animals live. Nearby is a museum of retro cars.
Ticket price: €15. Depending on the tour chosen, extra for guided tours from €4.50.
This chateau in the Loire Valley is not like the others, according to visitors it has a completely non-museum atmosphere. It's easy to imagine that you've been invited to a reception and the owner is about to emerge from the door in a luxurious outfit. The Counts de Cheverny owned the castle for several centuries, and then King Henry II confiscated it and gave it to his favorite Diane de Poitiers.
Thanks to six centuries of family ownership, the castle has preserved its original interiors, including antique furniture and portraits of the owners by leading French artists. Cheverny is also famous for its kennel, home to 100 hunting dogs (you can attend their feeding at 11:30).
You can book a hotel in France with a discount of up to -65% on the website.
Ticket price: €8.50, depending on the tour chosen, extra €4 for guided tours.
Built in 1536 on the ruins of a feudal fortress, of which only one tower remains. It was the last chateau in the Loire Valley to be built in the Renaissance style. In 1906, it was acquired by the brilliant scientist Joachim Carvallo, who gave up his scientific career in favor of revitalizing the estate. In particular, he restored the gardens to their original appearance according to the project documentation and made them the jewel of the complex, which still attracts tourists today. The best view of the three-level park ensemble is from the roof of the building.
The main attraction of the castle is the Mudéjar Moorish ceiling from the palace of the Princes de Maceda in Toledo. It was brought here disassembled and reassembled from 3,600 pieces (it took a year!).
Ticket price: €13.
The largest castle in the Loire Valley, the favorite residence of Louis XII and Francis I. A total of 7 French kings and 10 queens have visited here. Visiting the museum, you will learn about the daily life of the French court during the Renaissance: you will see the rooms where the monarchs lived (the chambers of Catherine de Medici is the only room in the castle whose interior has been preserved in its original state), and enjoy the collection of works of art, including works by outstanding European masters.
The Louis XII wing houses one of the best art museums in France, with a collection of works by Rubens, Boucher and other talented painters.
Every evening (at 22:00 or 22:30) from the beginning of April until the end of September, the "Sound and Light" show starts in the courtyard of the castle, during which the history of Blois comes to life on the walls of the majestic building. The tour is in French, but audio guides are available in several languages.
Ticket price: castle - €10.5.
This medieval fortress, built in the 12th century, rises above the town of the same name. It has played an important role in French history: Charles VII, heir to the French throne, lived in exile here during the Hundred Years' War, and in 1429 he received a very determined seventeen-year-old Joan of Arc.
The castle is still undergoing restoration work, but the administration has come up with a creative way to familiarize guests with its glorious history:
Ticket price: €14.
This fortress, perched on a hill above the valley of the river Endre (a tributary of the Loire), was begun to be built at the end of the XI century. During its history, it has changed owners many times, among them French and English kings: Philip II Augustus and Richard I Lionheart.
Later, Louis XI opened a prison here, and prisoners were kept within the castle walls until the early 20th century. Visitors can see the gloomy cells and the interrogation room where prisoners were tortured to confess to crimes.
You can get rid of gloomy thoughts by climbing the tower, which offers a beautiful view, and visiting the royal apartments decorated with Flemish tapestries, paintings and battle armor. Concerts and theatrical performances are occasionally held on the castle grounds.
Ticket price: €10.50.
We bet that after such an acquaintance you will want to return to the Loire Valley more than once. Have a wonderful experience!
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