Castles of the Loire themselves or an excursion. The operating mode of the castle is Amboise. Cheverny Castle Operating Mode

Castles of the Loire is the tourist name for a group of French castles located in the Loire Valley (). Most of the castles have a distinctive architectural feature - they are built of white sandstone or brick with sandstone bonds. Castles of the Loire entered in

Castles of the Loire - one of. Some of the castles are known throughout the world, for example, or, other names are not at the hearing, but they are all unusually beautiful and romantic. A complete list of castles in the Loire Castles group does not exist. Most of the castles were built during the Renaissance and served as a beautiful decoration of the life of the royal court. And today there is an opportunity to visit a real castle and imagine the everyday life of an aristocrat of bygone days.

Castles are conventionally divided into three large categories: 11 royal castles; 21 noble castle with historical, architectural or museum value and all other castles.

How to visit the castles of the Loire on your own?

There are a huge number of castles in the Loire Valley, and you can go there by composing a route for yourself - practical information on the mode of operation of individual castles, ticket prices, and how to get there, you will find below in this article. The cost of tickets to the castles of the Loire was checked on February 26, 2019 and is current for 2019.

If you intend to organize yourself, the easiest way is to go to visit them from the cities of Tours or , and you can easily get there from Paris by train or bus:

• Bus Tickets:

or rent a car:

Tours of the castles of the Loire

  And you can "surrender" into the hands of professionals and, without particularly straining, go to see the beauty on a bus from Paris, accompanied by a Russian-speaking guide.

10 most famous castles of the Loire

and 1 magnificent garden

Chenonceau Castle (château Chenonceau)

This castle is also known as the "Dam Castle" because it was built, rebuilt and landscaped by women. Built in 1513 - 1521 by order of Katerina Brisonet. Then, King Henry II was presented to his favorite Diana de Poitiers, who in 1556 - 1559. undertook numerous restructures, including the arrangement of the right bank of the Cher River, the garden bearing her name, and the bridge connecting the castle with the left bank. Finally, the final chord to decorating the castle was given by Katerina Medici: a park was laid out, a fountain of Roche and a gallery on the bridge were built. In addition to the graceful architecture and chic interior, the castle is famous for painting and flanders tapestries of the XVI century. This castle is the most visited private property in France: annually about 850 thousand tourists visit the property of the Meunier family. The castle regularly hosts exhibitions and other cultural events.

• How to get to Chenonceau Castle

- by train from Paris from Montparnasse station to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps (Tours) station, then by train to Chenonceau (on the road 1.5 - 2 hours, tickets from 22 euros)

• Chenonceau castle opening hours

January 1 - January 6: 9:30 - 17:30
January 7 - February 8: 9:30 - 16:30
February 9 - April 5: 9:00 - 17:00
April 6 - May 29: 9:00 - 18:00
May 30 - July 5: 9:00 - 19:00
July 6 - August 18: 9:00 - 19:30
August 19 - September 29: 9:00 - 19:00
September 30 - November 11: 9:00 - 18:00
November 12 - December 20: 9:30 - 16:30
December 21 - December 31: 9:30 - 17:30
The castle is open to visitors all year round.
Closing at 19:00 on the following weekend:
on Easter (April 20 - 22), May 1, May 8 (April 27 - May 12), Ascension (May 30 - June 2)

• Ticket price to Chenonceau Castle

Castle + brochure (available in Russian) + gardens + galleries

• Adults € 14.50
• For children 7-18 years old - 11.50 euros
• For students (upon presentation of the document) 18-27 years old - 11.50 euros
• Children under 7 years free

Castle + audio guide (available in Russian) + gardens + galleries

• For adults - 18.50 euros
• For children 7-18 years old - 15 euros
• For students (upon presentation of the document) 18-27 years - 15 euros

Every evening in July - August: night walks in the gardens - 6 euros

Chambord Castle (château Chambord)

The construction of the castle began in 1519 by order of King Francis I, nicknamed the "King Architect". The work was carried out by experienced French masons. The construction took 220 thousand tons of stone. This additional royal residence was intended to show the sovereigns and ambassadors of other countries the power of the French king. The chateau architecture combines the traditional elements of medieval architecture and the Italian Renaissance. There is no documentary evidence, but researchers are inclined to believe that Leonardo da Vinci himself and his assistant Corton participated in the development of the castle plan. The famous staircase of the castle is also allegedly implemented according to the drawings of Leonardo. Chambord is the largest of the castles of the Loire and is located on the territory of the largest enclosed forest park in Europe. It is also one of the most famous castles in the world.

• How to get to Chambord Castle

- by car along the A10 highway (direction Bordeaux, then Mer or Blois), paid parking 200 meters from the castle (4 euros)

  (Blois) (on the way 1 h. 25 m., Tickets from 10 euros), then by bus to the castle (May-August)

- the nearest airport is located in Paris

• Chambord Castle Mode

• Chambord Castle Entrance Fee

• Adult - 14.50 euros (palace + gardens)
• Youth 18-25 years old - 12 euros
• Children under 18 accompanied by an adult - free of charge

Amboise Castle (château d’Amboise)

This castle belonged to the Amboise family for more than 4 centuries, then, in 1434, passed into royal possession. The castle was well fortified, and therefore kings often stayed in it. The medieval castle character of the chateau underwent changes during the reign of Charles VIII in 1492-1498. In the chapel of the castle of Amboise, ashes are storedthe great Leonardo da Vinci.

• How to get to Amboise Castle

- by car along the A10 highway (Amboise exit), then 15 km along D31 and then N152.

- by train from Paris from Austerlitz station to the Amboise station (on the way 1 hour 40 meters, tickets from 15 euros)

• Operating mode of the castle Amboise

Opening / closing times vary by month. Refine the time of the castle for a specific period can be on the official website.

• Entrance to Amboise Castle

• Children under 7 years old - free
• Entrance ticket - 12.80 euros (adult), 11 euros (student), 8.80 euros (children 7-18 years old)

Chateau de Blois

The castle is located in the city center. On its facade you can trace the development of French architecture from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. and the whole history of the castle structure on the Loire. The castle became a royal residence during the reign of Louis XII and for more than a century remained the residence of seven kings and ten queens. Today it is a museum in which you can see the interiors of the daily life of the French court of the Renaissance and the elegantly furnished royal chambers. On summer evenings, the castle hosts a laser show - projection onto the building with musical accompaniment.

• How to get to Blois Castle

- by car on the A10 highway (170 km in the direction of Bordeaux, the Blois exit) or 180 km on the RN152 highway (Paris-Orleans-Blois)

- by train from Paris from Austerlitz station to Blois station (on the way 1 h. 25 m., Tickets from 10 euros), the castle is 8-10 min. walk from the station.

• Operating mode of the castle of Blois

• Cost of admission to Blois Castle

• Children under 6 years old - free
• Entrance ticket - 12 euros (adult), 9.50 euros (student), 6.50 euros (children 6-17 years old)
• Audioguide - 3 euros

Cheverny Castle (château de Cheverny)

The Chateau de Cheverny was designed by Jacques Bougie commissioned by Heinrich Juro de Cheverny and his wife in 1624 - 1630. The decoration of the castle was completed by their daughter, Elizabeth. The castle has always been privately owned by the descendants of Cheverny and was opened to the public in 1922. The castle is famous for its rich interiors, tapestries and art.

• How to get to Cheverny Castle

- by car on the A10 highway (190 km in the direction of Bordeaux, exit Blois)

- by train from Paris from Austerlitz station to the station (Blois) (on the way 1 h. 25 m., Tickets from 10 euros), from there to the castle a bus for 6 euros round-trip

• Cheverny Castle Operating Mode

• Cost of visiting Cheverny Castle

• Children under 7 years old - free access to the castle and park
• Castle + park - 12 euros (adult), 9 euros (children 7-14 years old, students under 25 years old)

Usse Castle (château d’Ussé)

The castle is world famous: it was he who inspired Charles Perrault to write “Sleeping Beauty”. Two styles are combined in the construction of the building. The first part was built in the 15th century, when the medieval style with Gothic elements dominated. The castle ended in the 16-17th centuries, when renaissance and classicism predominated. The castle gardens were planned by the famous Lenotre (the royal gardener of Louis XIV, the author of the royal gardens and parks in).

• How to get to Youse Castle

- by car on the A10 highway, free parking at the castle

- by train from Paris from the Austerlitz or Montparnasse station to the Tours station (on the way, 1-2 hours tickets from 15 euros), from there to the castle by bus.

• Usa castle working hours

• The cost of visiting the Youse Castle

• Adults (over 16 years old) - 14 euros
• Children (8-16 years old) - 4 euros
• Children under 8 years old - free

Chateau de Sully-sur-Loire

This castle was built by the end of the 14th century. on the banks of the Loire. The building consists of a donjon architect Raymond du Temple, built by order of the Trema family, and a "small castle" of the 15th century. From the side, the castle looks like a real medieval fortress. Every year, the castle hosts an international festival of classical music. About 60 thousand tourists a year visit this chateau.

• How to get to the castle of Sully-sur-Loire

- By car, take the A10 motorway, exit Orléans Nord, direction Montargis, then Châteauneuf-sur-Loire.

- by train from Paris from Austerlitz station to Orléans station (on the way, 1 hour tickets from 10 euros), from there to the castle by bus.

• Opening hours of the castle of Sully-sur-Loire

February-March, October-December - 10.00 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 17.00; Mondays and December 25 - day off

May, June, September - 10.00 - 18.00; Monday - day off

July-August - 10.00 - 18.00

February - April and October - December: Tuesday-Friday 13.30-17.30; Saturday-Sunday - 10.00-12.00 and 13.30-17.30.

• Cost of visiting the castle of Sully-sur-Loire

• Adults (over 18 years) - 8 euros
• Children (6-17 years old) - 5 euros
• Children under 6 years old - free

Chaumont Castle (château de Chaumont)

The castle is located between Blois and Amboise, on a hill above the Loire Valley, offering magnificent views. By order of the king in 1465, the former Chaumont castle was wiped off the face of the earth. It was reconstructed by order of Pierre d’Amboise, then his son and grandson. Gothic and Renaissance mixed in architecture. Today, the property stretches over 30 hectares and consists of a castle, stables and a park. Every year in the warm season, the International Garden Festival is held here. The castle also organizes exhibitions of contemporary art under the theme of "Art and Nature" and photo exhibitions.

• How to get to Chaumont Castle

- by train from Paris from the station Austerlitz (change in Orleans) or Montparnasse (change in Tours) to the station Onzain (on the way 1 h. 40 m. Tickets from 10 euros).

• Chaumont castle working hours

The opening hours of the castle depend on the time of year. Check the information on the official site of Chaumont Castle.

• Cost of admission to Chaumont Castle

• Adult - 18 euros
• For youth 12-18 years old - 12 euros
• Children (6-11 years old) - 6 euros
• Audioguide - 4 euros
• Children under 6 years free

From January to April and in November-December, discounts are given on tickets.

  Castle of the Dukes of Breton (château des ducs de Bretagne)

The castle of the Dukes of Breton is located in the city of Nantes, consists of a 15th-century rampart. and various buildings of the 14-18 centuries. The castle was originally the residence of the Dukes of Breton, then passed into the possession of the French kings. At the same time, it was a fortress, and the location of the governor of Nantes, and a state prison, and a treasury. In 1915, the castle passed into the possession of the city of Nantes and became a tourist attraction. In 1990 - 2007 a large-scale reconstruction of buildings took place; now the Nantes Museum of History is located here.

• How to get to the castle of the Dukes of Breton

- by car from Paris on the A11 highway

- by train from Paris from the station Austerlitz or Montparnasse to the station Nantes (on the route 2 -2.5 hours tickets from 16 euros)

- in Nantes - by tram No. 1 to the stop Arrêt Duchesse Anne; bus number 4.

• Lock modeBreton Dukes

• The courtyard, the fortress wall and the garden are open 8.30 - 19.00 daily; in July-August - until 20.00.
• Castle, museum and exhibitions: 10.00 - 18.00; Monday is a day off. In July August it works without days off until 19.00.
• The castle is closed on January 1, May 1, November 1 and December 25.

• Entrance fee to the castle of the Dukes of Breton

• The courtyard, ramparts and gardens are free to visit.
• The first Sunday of every month, except July-August, admission to the museum is free for everyone.
• Adult ticket - 8 euros
• For youth 18-25 years old - 5 euros
• Free for people under 18

http://www.chateaunantes.fr/fr

Azeil-le-Rideau Castle (château d’Azay-Le-Rideau)

The pearl of the French Renaissance, the castle of Azeil-le-Rideau was built during the reign of Francis I by order of Gilles Berthelot, mayor of Tours and the treasurer of the king. The castle is located on an island, surrounded by greenery and incorporates all the innovative ideas of Italian architecture of that time, combined with the skills of French masters. This is one of the most beautiful castles of the Loire for the wealth and luxury of furniture, interior decor, and a collection of paintings.

• How to get to the castle of Azeil-le-Rideau

- by car from Tour on the D751 highway towards Chinon, exit number 11; from Poitiers - highway N10 to Sainte Maure, then D760 and D57 to Azeil-le-Rideau.

- by train from Paris from the Austerlitz or Montparnasse station to the Azay-le-Rideau station (change in Tours) (2.5 hours on the way, tickets from 32 euros)

• Opening hours of Azeil-le-Rideau castle

• Entrance fee to the castle of Azeil-le-Rideau

• Adult ticket - 10.50 euros
• For youth 18-25 years old - 8.50 euros
• Free for persons under 18 years of age.
• Audioguide - 3 euros

http://www.azay-le-rideau.fr/

  Chateau de Villandry(château de Villandry)

The castle is located 15 km from the city of Tours. Famous for its magnificent gardens, restored by Joachim Carvallo and his wife Anne Coleman. The castle is mentioned in 1189, it was there that Henry II Plantagenet, king of England, admitted defeat before the French king Philippe Augustus. In 1532, the old castle fortress was demolished by the new owner, Jean le Breton, in its place a chateau was built, which we see to this day. It was the last of the major castles built on the banks of the Loire during the Renaissance. The Villandry Castle Gardens is a reconstruction according to old texts about the French regular gardens of the 14th century. The gardens are divided into four terraces: the upper terrace with a sunny garden (created in 2008); then a water garden surrounded by hedges; a terrace with an ornamental garden of clipped boxwood and yew bushes; finally, an internal terrace with a decorative garden. The ensemble also has a hedge maze; "Simple" garden - plot with aromatic and medicinal herbs, traditional for the Middle Ages; "Forest" with flower terraces around the greenhouse and a beautiful pavilion of the XVIII century.

Various events are held in the castle and gardens throughout the year. The program can be found at castle site.

You can find out more information about the castle using the official (there are versions in English and French) - Villandry.

• How to get to Castle de Villandri

From Paris:

• by car (240 km): highway A10, exit 24 (Joué-lès-Tours), then A85 towards Saumur, exit 8 Villandry;
• by train from Montparnasse train station (55 min. journey) to Tours station or Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, then by taxi / bus / bike.

From Tour:

• bus No. 32 runs from Fac 2 Lions to Wiiandri Center (check the schedule on the website of the transport company)  (a one-way ticket costs 1.70 euros, for 2 trips - 3.10 euros; can be bought from the bus driver)
• on Wednesdays and Saturdays in June and July to the castle from the train station of Tour ( transport site) there is a bus No. 117 of Fil Bleu
• by bike, following the Loire by bike route (15 km). The route can be downloaded at www.loireavelo.fr

Opening hours of the castle de Villandri

The castle gardens are open to visitors all year round seven days a week from 9.00 to

• 17.00 November 13 - February 3;
• 17.30 February 4-28, November 1-12;
• 18.00 March 1-26, October 1-28;
• 19.00 March 26 - June 30 and in September;
• 19.30 in July-August.

The castle is open from 9.00 (February 4 - November 12), from 9.30 (during the Christmas holidays); before

• 16.30 January 1-2;
• 5 p.m. February 4-29 and October 29-November 12;
• 17.30 March 1-25;
• 18.00 March 26 - June 30 and September 1 - October 28;
• 18.30 July 1 - August 31.

• Cost of admission to the castle de Villandry

Chateau and gardens:

• Adult - 11 euros
• 8-18 years old and students under 26 years old (upon presentation of student) - 7 euros
• Up to 8 years old - free

Gardens only:

• Adult - 7 euros
• 8-18 years old and students under 26 years old (upon presentation of student) - 5 euros
• In winter (November 14 - March 31) discounts apply.
• Is free  for children under 8 years old.

Audio guide  (available in Russian) - 4 euros.

Castles of the Loire are a certain number of French castles located in the Loire Valley. They have a certain historical feature - castles were built or significantly changed during the Renaissance, at a time when the kings of France settled in this region.

The concept of “Castles of the Loire” has more tourist significance, associated with the high density of outstanding monuments in one place. Thus, there is no exhaustive list of castles that would be included in the list of Castles of the Loire. Exceptional objects, as a rule, are confined to the ancient provinces of Anjou, Touraine and Orleans. But some authors expand the area of \u200b\u200bLaura’s castles to the city of Nantes in the historic province of Brittany and to the city of Nevers.

A large concentration of historical monuments in one region caused this place to be recorded under the collective name “Loire Valley from Sully-sur-Loire to Chalon-sur-Loire”. The Loire Valley is a natural region located in the floodplain of the Loire River in four departments: the Loire, Loire and Cher, Indre and Loire (Center region) and Maine and Loire (Laura Land region). There are several vineyards and most of the castles, which are commonly called the castles of the Loire.

Below we have a list of 28 castles that are of royal origin, or were built by gentlemen close to the royal authority. All of them are located in a valley on the banks of the Loire or its tributaries, are an outstanding example of the architecture of the past and have great historical and cultural significance.

Castles of the Loire Valley - PHOTOS

Castle of Angers, also known as the castle of the Duke of Anjou, is located in the eponymous city in the department of Maine and Loire. It stands by the river Men on a towering cape, the lands around it have been inhabited since ancient times. Starting from the second half of the ninth century, the castle changed its royal masters many times, partially destroyed and rebuilt. Despite this, the external monumental walls have not changed much since the time of Louis IX. Angers Castle is famous for the Apocalypse tapestries stored in its walls. Their inspection along with the inspection of the wonderful garden and some of the internal buildings are available for tourists.

Hotels: Angers

2. Amboise Castle (Château d’Amboise)

Chateau Amboise stands on a hill near the Loire River in the eponymous city of the department of Indre and Loire. Before it was attached to the French crown in 1434, the castle for four centuries belonged to the powerful Amboise family. During the Renaissance, it became home to several kings of France. The castle was largely destroyed after the revolution, until in 1872 it was transferred to the disposal of the Orleans House. Many travelers offer to start exploring the Loire Castles from this castle. Its architecture expressively reflects the gradual transition from Gothic to the Renaissance, and the interior is decorated with antique furniture, rich works of art and artifacts. Leonardo da Vinci rests in the chapel in the park.

Nearest hotels: Château d’Amboise

3. Aze-le-Rideau Castle (Château d’Azay-le-Rideau)

The first medieval defensive fortress of Aze was built on this site in 1119. Its purpose was to protect the road between the cities of Tours and Chinon. The fortress was burned in 1418. The modern castle - a masterpiece of the French Renaissance - surrounded by a landscape park, was built between 1518-1523 under the leadership of the treasurer of King Francis I. Today, the interiors of the Aze le Rideau castle delight visitors with rich sculptural decorations, Flemish tapestries, antique furniture, portraits of royals and many other cultural and historical masterpieces.

4. Beauregard Castle (Château de Beauregard)

The castle is located on the edge of the forest in the small town of Cellettes in the department of Loire and Cher. It is about ten kilometers from the city of Blois. The original house was built in the fifteenth century, its ruins can still be seen in the park. However, the real builder of the castle is considered to be the Minister of Finance of France, Jean de Thiers (Senior de Beauregard). He acquired real estate in 1545, after which he built a modern building in the Renaissance style, and invited a large number of famous artists to decorate the interior. Beauregard Castle is famous for its museum collection of 327 portraits of statesmen covering more than three hundred years of French history.

Nearby hotels: Beauregard Castle

5. Castle-Palace Blois (Château de Blois)

The royal castle of Blois is located in the department of Loire and Cher in the center of the city of the same name on the banks of the Loire River. Blois Palace is one of the largest castles in the river valley, it is the most beloved residence of Kings Louis XII and Francis I. The castle built around the courtyard is a visual panorama of French architecture from medieval to classicism. This makes it a key building for understanding the evolution of architecture over the centuries. Today, carefully restored and decorated royal apartments are available for excursions.

Best Hotels in Blois

6. Chateau de Brissac

Brissac Castle is located in the department of Maine and Loire, fifteen kilometers from Angers, in the small town of Brissac-Queens (Brissac-Quincé). The fortress was originally built by Fulk Nerra, Count of Anjou in the eleventh century. The castle was bought in 1435 and reconstructed in 1455 by the Minister of Charles VII, Mr. Pierre de Breese. Later, he changed hands several times, was looted and partially destroyed, but was always restored. In 1890, a theater was opened within the walls of the castle. It was completely renovated in 1983. Today, annual theater festivals and various art exhibitions are held here.

Book this room: Château de Brissac

The French castle of Chambord is located in the eponymous city in the department of Loire and Cher. According to the French Wikipedia, Chambord is the largest castle of the Loire. It is located in the heart of Europe’s largest enclosed forest park zone. The castle is surrounded by a garden and significant hunting grounds. The first buildings on this site appeared in the fourteenth century. The origin of the modern palace dates back to the sixteenth century to the reign of Francis I, who oversaw the construction since 1519. The king of France built this splendor to be closer to his beloved - the Countess of Turi, who lived nearby. The magnificent Chambord is one of the most recognizable castles in the world.

Hotel 5 km from Chambord Castle

8. Castle Cheverny (Château de Cheverny)

Chateau de Cheverny - a castle located in the eponymous city of the department of Loire and Cher, near the castles of Blau and Chambord. The castle was built in the seventeenth century in the classical style, designed by Jacques Bouguier. For most of its history, the residence was in the possession of one family name. Thanks to this, the interior of Cheverny is better than other castles of the Loire retained their original appearance. The castle is famous for dog hunting regularly held here. The residence to this day is the private property of the descendants of Philippe Yuro. Despite this, Cheverny is one of the first castles in France open for tourists to visit freely.

Hotels in Cour-Cheverny

9. Chaumont-sur-Loire Castle (Château de Chaumont)

Chamonix Castle is located south of Blois in the city of Chaumont-sur-Loire in the department of Loire and Cher. It rises above the Loire on a steep slope, and is a picturesque backdrop for a small village lined up along the riverbank. The history of the castle dates back to the twelfth century. Later, he changed his owners several times and was completely rebuilt. During the global economic crisis of the thirties of the last century, the last owners were forced to sell the castle to the state. Since 1992, an international garden festival has been held here annually.

Hotels in Chaumont-sur-Loire

The castle is located in the city of Chenonceau in the department of Indre and Loire. It was built in 1513 under the direction of Katherine Briçonnet, who was the wife of the financial secretary of the kings, Thomas Boyer, who, in fact, financed the construction. Catherine has a decisive influence on the style and design of the castle. Later, the castle belonged to Diana de Poitiers, Catherine de Medici and Louise Dupin. That is why Chenonceau is called "Ladies' Castle." Women decorate the castle, both inside and outside, the interiors store antique furniture, rare paintings and tapestries, and the adjoining territory is decorated with beautiful gardens and parks.

Nearest hotels: Chenonceau city

11. Chinon Castle (Château de Chinon)

The royal Chinon fortress, like many castles, is built on a cliff overlooking the city and the river Vienne. Chinon Castle was built on the site of former fifth-century Roman fortifications. The history of the modern castle dates back to the end of the tenth, beginning of the eleventh century. It consists of three parts: the central, where the churches and royal apartments were located, and two defensive forts - one on the flat side and the other on the cliff side. In the seventeenth century, the fortress begins to lose its strategic importance and gradually comes to desolation. Gradual and partial reconstruction began only in 1854.

Nearest hotels: Chinon city

12. Riveau Castle (Château du Rivau)

Rivo Castle is located in the city of Lemere, Indre-et-Loire department, literally ten minutes drive from Chinon Castle. It was significantly fortified in the fifteenth century, and then rebuilt in the Renaissance. Today, this place is primarily associated with fabulous gardens, broken on fifteen acres of land around the castle. The construction of gardens and the restoration of destroyed buildings began by the new owners in 1992. Among other outbuildings, it is worth noting the magnificent stables. As early as the fifteenth century, horses from here were delivered to the royal court. And at the end of the Hundred Years War, Jeanne Dark came here in search of horses for her army.

Hotels near Rivo Castle

13. Clos Lucé Castle

The French medieval castle of Clos-Luce is more reminiscent of an old mansion located in the center of Amboise. The first buildings appeared on this site at the beginning of the twelfth century. The manor house, which later became the royal residence, was built here in 1477. In Clos-Luce spent his youth, Francis I, the future king of France. In 1516, Leonardo da Vinci settled in the mansion, and here he died on May 2 in 1519. Today, Clos-Luce has been turned into a house-museum of the great artist. The interiors of the time of Leonardo are recreated in the halls of the house, and a small park is set around the castle.

Popular Hotels in Amboise

14. Castle of Gisot (Château de Gizeux)

The castle is located in the eponymous French commune on the territory of the Loire-Anjou-Touraine National Natural Park. It is a green woodland about halfway between the cities of Angers and Tours. The castle was built in the fourteenth century on the site of a former fortress. The complex includes parts that were built in different historical periods. The medieval style and architecture of the Renaissance have been preserved here. Within the walls of the castle there are two large galleries decorated with paintings by artists of the seventeenth century. In 1829, a park appeared around the castle.

Book Room: Château de Gizeux

15. Castle of Lange (Château de Langeais)

The medieval fortress Lange is located in the department of Indre and Loire. It was built at the end of the tenth century by Count Fulk Black on a rocky cape overlooking the Loire Valley. Later, Richard the Lionheart significantly expanded the castle in the twelfth century. During the Hundred Years War, the fortress was destroyed, only the facade of the main tower is preserved. The restoration of the castle began in 1465 by order of Louis XI and lasted four years. Today, a beautiful garden is laid out around the castle, and in its fifteen rooms there is a rich collection of unique tapestries of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

Nearby hotels: Lange Castle

16. Castle of Loches (Château de Loches)

Château de Loches - a castle located in the department of Indre and Loire, built in the ninth century by Fulc Nerra. A huge fortress rises on a hill above the river Indre. The castle is famous primarily for its massive quadrangular dungeon, which, towering, dominates the skyline of Losh. The walls of the dungeon reach an impressive thickness of three meters. In 1204, after several attacks, the castle was still conquered by King Philip II. Since the fifteenth century, a prison has long been located within the walls of the fortress, some rooms of which are now accessible to tourists. The main restoration work began in 1806, but still some parts of the fortress are still in ruins.

Nearest hotels to Losch

17. Chateau de Meung-sur-Loire

Myon-sur-Loire Castle is an old fortified residence located in the town of the same name. The fortress was built in the twelfth century and was the suburban residence of the bishops of Orleans. In the thirteenth century, bishops left the castle, which becomes a prison, the most famous prisoner in it was the poet Francois Villon. The building was almost completely abandoned during the religious wars from the late sixteenth to the beginning of the eighteenth century. Then the castle is restored, its facade is being built in the classical style. Under the castle there are dungeons, a chapel and various medieval instruments of torture.

Nearby hotels: Mons-sur-Loire

18. Montpoupon (Château de Montpoupon)

Montpupupon Castle is located in the department of Indre and Loire, ten kilometers from the city of Montrichard (Montrichard) in a picturesque valley in the heart of the forest. The castle was founded in the twelfth century. Over time, the requirements for strategic structures changed, so the fortress was completed several times. The outbuildings, in which today there is a large museum dedicated to hunting, were built in the 1840s. In addition to the exhibition of amateur hunting, visitors can see pavilions dedicated to forestry, animal husbandry and various medieval crafts.

Nearest hotels in Cere La Rond

19. Castle Plessis-Bourré (Château du Plessis-Bourré)

Plessis Bourrée Castle is located in the department of Maine and Loire in the valley of the Loire tributaries of the Mayenne and Sarthe rivers. This is one of the Loire castles, whose architecture and appearance have not suffered much and have not changed since the construction. And its construction began in 1468 on the site of the former estate, after King Louis XI transferred the land of Plessis-le-Ven into the possession of his confidant and treasurer Jean Bourré. He created here a small residence-fortress with all the amenities due and the opportunity to spend holidays and magnificent balls. The good preservation of the castle made it popular for filming a movie.

Nearby hotels: Angers city

20. Chateau de Plessis-lès-Tours

Built in the Renaissance style, the castle of Plessis-les-Tours was the favorite residence of Louis XI. On August 30, 1483, the king died within the walls of this house. The current building is only part (about one third) of the palace that Louis XI built at the end of the fifteenth century. Inside the castle there are iron cages that were suspended from the ceiling for keeping prisoners in them. The cells are so small that the captives could not stand in them. Today, by agreement with the Polish community, which owns the castle, you can visit only some rooms of the former royal residence.

Nearby Hotels: Chateau de Plessis-lès-Tours Castle

21. Castle of Le Reo (Les Réaux)

Le Reo Castle is another pearl of the Italian Renaissance lost among the vineyards in the Loire Valley. The castle belonged to the Bueil Briconnet family, later it became the home of the writer and poet Talleman de Reo. The history of this place begins more than seven centuries ago in the era of charm and elegance of the great dynasties. Today, the castle, surrounded by ten acres of gardens, still exudes harmony, tranquility and romanticism. In several of its rooms is a small hotel. In 2005, a Ukrainian businessman, who intends to continue the hotel business of the previous owners, acquired the property.

Nearest hotels in Chaux-sur-Loire

22. Castle Saumur (Château de Saumur)

Chateau de Saumur is located in the French city of the same name near the confluence of the Loire and Thouet rivers. The fortress was originally built in the tenth century by order of Thibault I de Blois to protect against Norman raids. In 1026, the fortress was in the possession of the Count of Anjou Fulk Nerr, who bequeathed it to his heirs. After a couple of centuries, the castle changed owners several times, it was a soldier’s barracks and a prison. Today, there is a museum of ancient toys and a horse museum.

Hotels: Saumur city

23. Castle of Sully-sur-Loire (Château de Sully-sur-Loire)

The castle is located in the center of Sully-sur-Loire on the left bank of the river near the bridge. The first mention of it dates back to 1102. For many centuries, the fortress belonged to three families, the most notable of which were the Dukes of Sully. The castle, recognizable today, acquired the castle at the beginning of the seventeenth century. In 1652, a young Louis XIV was hiding in these brick walls during the Fronde of Princes. In 1715, the castle welcomed Voltaire who had fled due to persecution for his satirical works. The castle is surrounded by a moat, next to a beautiful park. Every year there is an international festival of classical music.

Nearest hotels: Sully-sur-Loire commune

24. Castle of Talsi (Château de Talcy)

The castle was built in 1520 by the Italian banker Bernardo Salviati, who was at the court of King Francis I. The building is located in the small village of Bos in the city of Talsi. The interiors of the castle were thoroughly renovated in the eighteenth century, in its halls preserved furniture of the eighteenth century. The modern area includes an orchard, a dovecote and farm buildings. Near the castle is a windmill renovated in 1976.

Nearby hotels: Talsi Castle

25. Usse Castle (Château d’Ussé)

The castle is located in the city of Rigny-Ussé. It was built on the banks of the Indre River, which flows into the Loire, and is located 33 kilometers west of the city of Tours and 14 kilometers from Chinon. The local lands have been inhabited by the Gallo-Romans since ancient times, as evidenced by artifacts found during excavations. The first wooden fortress was built in 1004. In 1040, the construction of the first stone castle began. In 1424, Mr. Usse builds a castle, the main architectural features of which have survived to this day. There is an opinion that Andre Lenotre himself had a hand in the castle park, as well as that in the fairy tale “Sleeping Beauty” S. Perrot described Usse Castle.

Hotels near Usse Castle

An outstanding monument of Renaissance architecture and French classicism - the castle of Valence - is located in the eponymous city in the Loire Valley. In 1540, on the spot where the twelfth-century fortress stood, the construction of the existing castle began. The castle was replaced by many owners. In 1803, by order of Napoleon, Valence became the residence for the reception of foreign ambassadors. At the beginning of the twentieth century, a Regular Park was laid out around the castle. The castle fell into the ownership of the association of national monuments in 1979. A museum of antique cars appeared here, and exotic animals and birds were released into the park.

Hotels in Valence

27. Castle of Villandry (Château de Villandry)

Wilandry Castle is famous primarily for its six beautiful themed gardens and decorative garden. This residence is located fifteen kilometers west of the city of Tours. The construction of the modern castle buildings, which was controlled by Jean Le Breton, was completed around 1536. His descendants owned real estate until 1754. In 1907, the castle was acquired by a doctor and philanthropist Joachim Carvalho. He rebuilds it in full accordance with the architecture of the Renaissance, and equips the gardens that can be seen today. Inside the castle you can see a small art gallery and a dining room.

Hotels in Villandry

28. Chateau de Villesavin

The small castle of Vilsaven is located in the Loire and Cher departments between the chambers of Chambord and Cheverny on the banks of the Beuvron River. Like many other castles of King Francis I, the construction of Vilsaven begun in 1527 was overseen by Jean Le Breton. In the nineteenth century, the object received some architectural improvements in the style of historicism, which makes it a rare example in the Loire Valley. The castle is currently privately owned, but is open to the public for excursions.

Nearby hotels: Chateau de Villesavin

Castles of the Loire

  The Loire Valley is the birthplace of the French Renaissance, one of the most picturesque and poetic places on Earth, where the literary French language has developed. Natives of these places were Francois Rabelais, Pierre Ronsard and Honore Balzac. Francois Villon and Victor Hugo, Stendhal and Jules Verne, Oscar Wilde, Georges Sand and Charles Perrault drew their inspiration from them.

But, of course, the main attraction of the valley is the numerous castles, most of which were built or significantly rebuilt during the French Renaissance, which served as a refuge for royal people in difficult times for them. The abundance of magnificent architectural and historical monuments in this part of France determined the inclusion of the Loire Valley on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

  Traditionally, the castles of the Loire are called 42 castles (although the English Wikipedia mentions as many as 300). Let's consider some of the most famous.

  Chenonceau Castle (Chateau de Chenonceau) is unique in its original location on the River Cher, as well as its fate. He was loved, cherished and guarded by women such as Diana de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. Today, Chenonceau Castle is the second most visited castle in France after Versailles.

  Chateau de Valencay   combines two architectural styles - Renaissance and classicism. It is fully furnished and surrounded by superb French-style gardens and an English park. At one time, the castle belonged to Talleyrand, for which it was acquired by Napoleon in 1803.

  Aze-le-Rideau Castle (Chateau d "Azay-le-Rideau) , erected on an island in the middle of the Indre River, in its present form was built under the rule of Francis I by the wealthy financier Gilles Berthelot, who wanted to translate Italian innovations into French architecture. Surrounded by greenery, the castle is washed by the waters of Endra, in which its walls are reflected.

  Chateau Royal de Blois   - The favorite residence of the French kings Louis XII and Francis I. The castle is located in the center of Blois, on the right bank of the Loire, and offers tourists a real panorama of the art and history of the castles of the Loire.

  Castle Saumur (Chateau de Saumur)   located in the town of the same name, considered the cavalry capital of France (the National Riding School is located here), also known for its champignons and wine. Inside the castle there are three museums: applied arts (porcelain, tapestries of the 15th century), horses (stirrups, bridles, a collection of saddles and a slide from the Russian "three") and ancient toys (animals, clowns and soldiers).

  Chambord Castle (Chateau de Chambord)   - the largest of all castles of the Loire. It was built by order of Francis I, who wanted to be closer to his beloved lady - Countess Turi, who lived nearby.

  Cheverny Castle (Chateau de Cheverny) recognized as a castle with the most magnificent furnishings. Famous for its kennel and regular dog hunts. Mulensard Castle from comic books by the Belgian artist Erzhe was drawn precisely from Cheverny Castle.

  Angers Castle (Chateau d "Angers)   - a large medieval fortress with seventeen towers was erected by the young St. Louis on the border of his kingdom in the 13th century. From the Neolithic period to the 21st century, this place constantly changed its appearance and purpose, with each period leaving its mark. Behind the ramparts are living quarters and gardens. The castle displays the famous tapestry "Apocalypse", the largest work of medieval masters.

  Castle of Clos Luce (Le Clos Luce)   - The house-museum of Leonardo da Vinci. At the beginning of 1516, Leonardo da Vinci accepted the invitation of King Francis I and settled in France. The artist died on May 2, 1519, was buried in the Amboise castle, which is nearby and connected to the Clois-Luce castle by an underground passage. From destruction during the revolution, Clos-Luce was saved by the d'Amboise family. Then it became the property of the Saint-Brie family. This family has preserved the castle to this day. Today in Clos Luce organized a museum of Leonardo da Vinci. In the castle and park, the universe of Leonardo da Vinci is recreated and revived.

  Royal Chateau Amboise (Chateau Royal D "Amboise) , towering over the Loire in the city of Amboise, becomes the royal residence under the rule of Kings Charles VIII and Francis I (late XV-early XVI centuries). Many European artists and writers lived at the court in Amboise at the invitation of the kings, like Leonardo da Vinci - here he finished the “Mona Lisa”, died here in 1519. The great artist was buried, as is commonly believed, in the castle chapel of St. Hubert.

  Chapel where Leonardo da Vinci is buried

  Chateau de Chaumont-sur-Loire (chateau de Chaumont-sur-Loire) it is located in the estate of the same name, where there is also a landscape park with centenary cedars and the International Flower Festival is held. The most keen and original minds lived here - Catherine de Medici, Diana de Poitiers, Nostradamus, Ruggieri, Benjamin Franklin, Germaine de Stael, as well as the wayward Princess Broglie, who turned Chaumont-sur-Loire into a refined and refined residence in the French style.

  Lange Castle (Chateau de Langeais) was founded at the end of the 10th century by the Angevin Earl Fulk Black (the ancestor of the Plantagenet dynasty) on a cliff hanging over the Loire Valley. In the XII century, the castle was expanded by his descendant Richard the Lionheart. Philip II Augustus conquered Lange from the Angevin counts in 1206, then it was partially destroyed by the British during the Hundred Years War. From the building of that era, the facade of the main tower, nicknamed “Donjon Fulka Black”, has been preserved - it is considered the oldest surviving stone fortress in France. The rest of the castle was built in the second half of the 15th century, under Louis XI.

  Castle of Villandry (Chateau de Villandry)   located 15 km west of Tours on the D7 highway. Known for its 3 gardens, a dungeon towering over decorative gardens (1 ha), an ornamental garden and a garden with a pond.

  Fontevro Abbey (Abbaye de Fontevraud)   - One of the largest monastery complexes in Europe, the tomb of the royal Plantagenet dynasty. Fontevro Abbey is striking in both size and originality. Transformed into a prison by Napoleon in 1804, it escapes destruction and becomes a formidable place of imprisonment. The last prisoners left him only in 1985. Today it is a cultural meeting center (in the terminology of the Ministry of Culture and Communication). The Abbey hosts concerts, conferences and exhibitions. The abbey also contributes to the prosperity of creativity by hosting and hosting artists.

The royal castle of Amboise (Chateau Royal D`Amboise) was erected on a high hill above the Loire, not far from the place where at the beginning of the VI century there was a historical meeting of the Frankish king Clovis and Alaric - the Visigoth king.

The castle is surrounded by the town of the same name, which has long been the former capital of the Celtic Turon people, who later gave the name of the province of Touraine.

A few minutes walk along the narrow streets, and suddenly the houses part, and in front of them light gray walls appear. Above the gate you can see the St. Hubert Chapel.

Amboise did not immediately become a royal castle. For a long time it belonged to the lands of the Angevin counts, then became the private possession of the Amboise-Chaumont dynasty, and in 1422 passed by inheritance to Louis, Viscount de Tuar. However, the owner of the castle was convicted and deprived of his fortune on charges of conspiracy against the king.
Since 1431, Amboise has become part of the royal domain. King Charles VII (Charles VII) repeatedly stopped there. Then, ceasing to be exclusively a fortification, the Amboise castle turned into a royal residence, in connection with this, significant privileges were granted to the city.

The castle is quite large, almost the entire hilltop towering above the town is surrounded by protective walls. Previously, numerous outbuildings were probably crowded here, but subsequently the need for them disappeared, and a park was laid out inside the walls.

View from the castle wall of the city, in the direction from which I came.

The castle began in the remote Middle Ages. However, almost nothing remained of the early Romanesque buildings. Now Amboise illustrates the transition from the so-called flaming Gothic of the 15th century (mainly the left wing) to the Italian Renaissance of the 16th century (right wing). In fact, the difference is not too obvious, it is most clearly manifested in the design of dormer windows.

Obviously, the castle was partially rebuilt several times, adapting to changing conditions: changing the tactics of warfare, increasing the number of the royal court, raising the level of the cultural layer of the soil.

The ramp inside the tower allows riders to climb the castle’s upper terraces without dismounting.

Exit from the Minorite tower to the Neapolitan garden.

In France, it is difficult to find reproduction of medieval interiors even in museums and castles. Amboise here is a rare exception.
Like many other royal or church estates, as well as "noble nests", during the French Revolution, the castle was confiscated and suffered from robberies. A barracks was built here and even a button factory was equipped. Even worse, Amboise was in the era of the First Empire. Then the Member of Parliament Roger Ducos, who received the castle as a gift from the Senate of Orleans, without the means to support it, did not find a better solution on how to destroy most of Amboise.

The descendants owe some preserved interiors and largely restored chambers to one of the later owners of the castle - Louise-Marie-Adelaide de Bourbon Pentieuvre - the mother of the King of France Louis Philippe. It was she who, from 1815, began to recreate in parts both the castle itself and some of its interiors.

The bedroom of King Henry II (Henri II) with genuine furniture, which stood here in the XVI century. This monarch is best known for his tragic and ridiculous death in the tournament from the broken spear of the captain of his own guard, who broke the helmet to the king. This story was used by Alexander Dumas in several novels (in particular, in “Two Dianes”). However, there is historical evidence that finally Henry II was reduced to the grave of the attempt of the genius, according to the aforementioned great French novelist, the healer Amboise Pare, who was completely reckless at the time of eye transplantation. So that the monarch would not remain crooked, the surgeon tried to “heal” the eyes of a certain official criminal instead of a spear knocked out ...

So the kings looked at their subjects below. :)
By the way, few people know that it was in Amboise that the Order of St. Michael was approved by King Louis XI (Louis XI). This happened on August 1, 1469, in spite of the Spanish-Burgundian order of the Golden Fleece, hostile to France.

Here, the aforementioned design elements of the dormer windows in the form of decorative turrets - pinacli - the Gothic wing, named after Charles VIII (Charles VIII), who was born and died in this castle, are very clearly visible.
To a large extent, the castle owes its splendor to this king. Literally in love with Amboise, he began the first extensive reconstruction work. To finance a magnificent project by the standards of the 15th century, it was even necessary to increase the salt tax. “He wants to make a city out of his castle!” - could not resist the exclamation of the Florentine ambassador, seeing drawings of the future castle in 1493. It was then that the medieval fortress gave way to a huge quadrangular monolith in the shape of a trapezoid.
However, the work was not completed due to the death of Charles VIII. Like the death of Henry II, she also had the character of a tragic accident: on April 7, 1498, the king hit his head with a door jamb (and the doors in those years were usually made very low) and died in the evening of the same day. Officially, the cause of death, however, is most often indicated by an apoplexy stroke.
On the left in the photograph are visible balcony grilles, on which in 1560 some leaders of the so-called Amboise conspiracy were publicly hanged. The purpose of this Huguenot conspiracy was to capture the young King Francis II and isolate him from the influence of the ardent opponent of the Huguenots - the Duke de Guise. The plot was uncovered, and its members executed. Only the most famous conspirators were hanged on the grate of the castle, others drowned in the shallow Loire.

View of the Loire from one of the towers. On the left you can see the pillars of the old bridge over the river, blown up by the Germans during the Second World War.

A pile of roofs and spiers ...

The Saint-Hubert chapel mentioned above was built in the late 15th century. It is here that the remains of the great Leonardo da Vinci, who spent the last three years of his life in this corner of France. He was invited to Amboise by King Francis I (Francois I). He gave the poor living Leonardo a cozy castle of Clos-Luce a kilometer from his residence and monthly paid him a substantial cash allowance. In addition, Francis bought from Leonardo three of his masterpieces brought from Italy, including the famous “Mona Lisa”.
Due to a prolonged illness, Leonardo in Amboise was no longer engaged in painting, except that he added a touch of another to the already completed paintings at hand. He was much more interested in laying canals in the Loire Valley, two of his hydrographic drawings with the name of French rivers have survived to this day.

Perhaps the most romantic castle of the Loire Valley, and even Europe, is Chenonceau (Chateau de Chenonceau). Motor transport, like almost everywhere in France, does not reach the castle itself, stopping in a village also bearing the name of Chenonceau.

The village itself, however, is unremarkable, except for the abundance of tourists. By the way, in standard one-day tours from Paris, a dinner is often arranged here, reasonably (from the point of view of the organizers) included in the price of the whole trip. Even if it is not possible to exclude the price of lunch from the account, I still advise everyone who comes here to dine on their own, and it is certainly not where the guides take them. Otherwise, the impression of France, a country with a rich culinary traditions, could be badly damaged.

At the entrance to the estate you need to cross a long alley bordered by centuries-old trees.

If you turn right from the alley, you can get to the farm, similar to the rich economy of the XVI century.

Now, of course, this is just a tourist attraction, where naive tourists are sold young wines, which can be bought in Paris supermarkets two to three times cheaper. :)

Chenonceau is called le Chateau des Dames - Ladies' Castle. He owes this name to a long line of his brilliant owners.

Actually, the castle was originally conceived as a family nest of the Boye family. This family in the XVI century could not boast of a long row of noble ancestors. However, Tom Boye, who received the noble title and got rich in royal service, decided, as they would say now, on the basis of the old medieval fortress, formerly owned by the impoverished Auverne family Mark, and standing next to the mill to build his castle in the Renaissance style - bright and comfortable for living, not for defense.

In those years, the attribute of any ancient family was the main tower of the castle - the donjon.
Already then the castles were rebuilt many times, almost completely changing their appearance, and the donjon, from which in the Middle Ages the construction of almost any citadel began, was proof of antiquity. The adventurous Tom Boyer decided to turn the appropriately completed mill building into his "ancient clan" dungeon.

It is the mill that is the main tower of the Chenonceau castle.
On the oak door of one of the chambers of the castle you can still read Tom Boye's carved motto: “If he grows up, they will remember me.” “He” is, of course, the castle itself. However, seriously ill Tom Boye could not finish building the castle, this was done for him by his wife - Catherine Brisonet - the first lady of Chenonceau.

The second lady was Diana de Poitiers - the lover of King Henry II, well known from the novels of Alexander Dumas. As you know, Dumas the father was not only a novelist, but also a fair storyteller, without a shadow of shame, distorting the story to please the storylines of his books. In particular, there was no particular hostility between Diana de Poitiers, the king’s official lover, and Queen Catherine de Medici. Catherine wisely reasoned that a clever favorite is better, who has little interest in power and, moreover, is almost 20 years older than the king, than a young and greedy rival. This, of course, does not mean that Henry II had no affair on the side of both his wife and the official favorite, but they left no noticeable trace in the story.

Diana de Poitiers began to finish building Chenonceau and equip the surrounding area to her liking. However, the castle took its final form a little later. After the death of Henry II, Diana is diplomatically expelled from the castle.
Catherine de Medici had long liked Chenonceau, and though relatively tactfully, but, "remembering" some old debts, she took the castle from Diana de Poitiers, giving her in return the nearby Chateau de Chaumont.
Already under Catherine, a gallery leading to the other side of the Cher River was completed, living rooms and halls were completed above the gallery, and not far from the castle, next to the so-called Diana Park, a park called Catherine Park was laid out. So, the third lady of Chenonceau, as you might guess, was Catherine de Medici.

The fourth and last bright lady in the history of the castle was the favorite of another French king, Henry IV of Navarre (Henri IV), Gabriella d Estre. There is reason to believe that Gabriella could have become the queen of France if she had not been poisoned by courtiers dissatisfied with this by the choice of Henry IV. However, there is no solid evidence that the favorite was poisoned. History, as you know, is often based on indirect evidence and assumptions ...
The photograph shows a part of the preserved interior of the so-called bedroom of the Five Queens. This hall was named after two daughters and three daughters-in-law of Catherine de Medici.

This gloomy room is the bedroom of Queen Louise of Lorraine. After the murder of her husband Henry III in 1589 by the monk Jacques Clement (which was done in retaliation for the king’s sanctioned assassination of the Duke de Guise), the widow retired to the castle of Chenonceau, where she spent the rest of her life in mourning and prayers, voluntarily imprisoned until her death in 1601 year.
According to the royal etiquette of mourning, Louise of Lorraine wore only white clothes all this time, for which she was nicknamed the White Queen. According to her direct instructions, the room was decorated in a mournfully pious manner, that is, so gloomy that it is even strange that the White Queen managed to live in this room for 11 years ... On the fabric wallpaper you can see a very interesting symbol - an inverted cornucopia of whose tears flow, which meant immense sorrow.

The internal view of the gallery, built by order of Catherine de Medici on the pillars of the so-called Diana de Poitiers bridge connecting the castle with the other side of the river. This gallery served as a hall for balls, the benefit of the size allowed - the length of the room reaches 60 meters at 6 meters wide.
During the German occupation of France during the Second World War, this gallery was very important, as it connected the castle, which actually stood on the northern shore of the Cher and located in the occupied zone, with the southern shore, promising refuge for those hiding from the Gestapo. By the way, then the castle also had a point of contact for local partisans.

Here you can clearly see that Chenonceau, like a bridge, stands on powerful stone piers over the narrow river Cher. The castle kitchen is very interesting - in the huge pedestals of the first two pillars.

The kitchen was even equipped with its own pier, which was approached by boats delivering supplies to the castle.

Part of recreated kitchen interiors.

The view from the windows of the castle on the garden of Diana da Poitiers.

Orange tree.

In the parks there are many swans, including black ones.

A quick look at the Chaumont castle mentioned above. His name came from the words "Mont Chauve" (bald mountain), then it began to sound like "Mont Chaud" or "Chaud Mont" (hot mountain). The castle rises on a rocky spurs in the middle of centuries-old forests. In the Middle Ages there was a fortress.
This castle was acquired in 1560 after the death of Henry II by Catherine de Medici. As I said, being a widow, she quickly "exchanged" Chaumont for Chenonceau with Diana de Poitiers. Since Chaumont is frankly gloomy, especially against the backdrop of Ladies' Castle, the favorite of the late king remained here only for a short time.

The road to the last castle envisaged by the trip program passed near the ancient city of Blois. This is very uncharacteristic for France, where all major routes usually bypass any settlements so as not to cause discomfort to local residents.
This place was inhabited many millennia ago, back in the Neolithic era. The first settlers drew attention to a high rocky cliff washed by the waters of the Loire and a small river flowing into it, providing reliable shelter and protection.
From the middle of the 10th century, Blois and its environs became the domain of powerful feudal lords — the Counts of Blois, the vassals of the King of France, who were also the Counts of Tours and Chartres, and then Champagne.

However, the history of Blois is mainly associated with the name of the grandson of Louis of Orleans, who in 1498 became king of France under the name of Louis XII (Louis XII). A native of Blois, this king decided to establish his permanent residence here. Thus, this small town was essentially the capital of the kingdom during the first quarter of the 16th century.
During the time of Charles of Orleans, Louis XII and Francis I, the city of Blois is experiencing a brilliant rise, but after the death of Queen Claude of France (1524) and the brutal defeat of the French in Italy at Pavia (1525), Francis I never returned to Blois, and his successors stayed here only for a short time.
In the XVII century, the city came to some revival thanks to a long stay in the castle (1634-1660) by Gaston Orleans, the younger brother of Louis XIII.
Now Blois is the administrative center of the Loire and Cher depot (Loir-et-Cher), and the population of the city is about 50 thousand people.

The last castle on this album is Chambord. It was built at the very beginning of the XVI century as the hunting residence of King Francis I. And now the castle is surrounded by dense and vast forests by modern French standards. Oh, they would have seen the Far Eastern taiga! :)
Chambord is the embodiment of the Italian Renaissance in stone. There is a widespread misconception that Leonardo da Vinci also had his ingenious hand in the design of the castle. As you know, after the capture of Milan, Francis I was lucky to see the architectural masterpieces of Northern Italy, and then he invited the great Leonardo to France. However, although the latter really worked on the castle project in 1517, it was never implemented, and in its present form, Chambord was rebuilt somewhat later.

Who speaks the castles of France, implies laura's castle: Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise, Blois, Cheverny, Clos-Luce, Chaumont, Aze-le-Rideau, Villandry, Chinon, Brezet, Saumur, Angers ... The most exquisite and magnificent castles in the world with royal cities, gardens and museums are concentrated It is here, near Paris. It is difficult to determine which of the 42 castles is more beautiful or more significant than the others, because each of them has its own history and charm. They are united by the atmosphere of the monarchy and the style of the epochs: from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, and, of course, the fact that they are a precious part of the mosaic, unique in its beauty and richness of the Loire River Valley.

The most popular castles of the Loire Valley

Amboise

www.chateau-amboise.com/en/

Open daily, except 1.01 and 25.12.

Adult ticket  10.50 €; children (7-18 years old) 7,20 € .

The most Italian among the castles of the Loire, a UNESCO monument. Amboise was erected on a hill overlooking the river, and combines the feudal character (large round towers) and the sophistication of the elements of the Renaissance. Today, only one tenth of the area of \u200b\u200bthe former royal residence, which reached its peak in the 16th century, has remained from its former greatness. In place of some of the buildings that once stood along the walls, there is a large garden terrace with stunning views of the Loire River. Here is a historical collection of unique Gothic and Renaissance furniture.

After visiting the royal house, be sure to take a stroll in the picturesque garden with Mediterranean plants; one of the best views of the valley also opens from the castle gardens. In the chapel of Saint-Hubert - a masterpiece of Gothic architecture of the late XV century, Leonardo da Vinci is buried. After Francis I invited the Italian genius to Amboise in 1516, he settled in nearby Clos-Luce, and lived there until his death in 1519.

The fortress Amboise has served as a defensive structure since Gallo-Roman times. In 1470, Charles VIII turned the castle into a luxurious residence and ordered decoration from Italy. He increased the size of the estate and held magnificent celebrations. Amboise was also the scene of the famous conspiracy that led to the massacre of Protestants. After that bloody episode, the French monarchs did not stop at the castle anymore, and he turned into a prison for Fouquet, Marshal Lauzun and Emir Abd al-Qader.

Azay-le-Rideau

Open daily, except 1.01, 1.05 and 25.12.

Adult ticket  8.50 €, with a discount of 5.50 €, free up to 18 years.

The pearl of the early French Renaissance. In this castle, built during the reign of François I, with restrained architecture, there is no greatness of Chambord and crowds of visitors, as in Chenonceau. But visiting this Renaissance palace, one can understand why Balzac and Rodin appreciated it.

Aze Castle was built in Touraine in the early years of the reign of Francis I and occupies a leading position among the castles of the Loire Valley. Built by the wealthy financier and bourgeois Gilles Berthelot, it reflects the elite's love for the art of the Italian Renaissance. It was this building that opened the era of holiday homes, combining the charm of a French castle and the grandeur of Italian palaces.

In 1518, Gilles Berthelot, the new court administrator of the kingdom's finances, built two buildings on the site of a fortress protected by the arms of the Indre River. In the corners, above the water, there are elegant towers that remind of its owners - Philippe, the wife of Barthelo, who, after the death of her husband, was able to complete the reconstruction of the castle.

The building combines all the subtleties of Renaissance architecture and the quality of a traditional French castle with its high roofs, turrets, long rows of windows and lights, with Italian grandeur in the layout, giving the facade a symmetry. Inside the courtyard is a luxurious staircase. Through openwork decors you can see the park in the style of romanticism. So it was created by the new owners, the Marquises de Biencourt. While the restrained appearance of the facade is reflected in the mirror of the smooth surface, the interior shines from the luxury of art and the richness of the interior. The large hall, where receptions and balls were held, is decorated with tapestries, and in the salons, library, dining room and bedchairs, among which are the rooms of Louis XIII, “priceless” paintings hang.

Beauregard (Beauregard à Cellettes)

www.beauregard-loire.com

Tickets: 5 € -12.50 €.

Beauregard is privately owned and located in a beautiful park between the castles of Blois and Cheverny. The elegant mansion was built by Jean du Thiers, Minister of Henry II at the edge of the Russi forest, just a few kilometers south of the city of Blois. Once this forest on 60 hectares was the favorite hunting ground of Francis I. The castle houses the famous "bells cabinet", which owes its name to the three silver jester bells, which is depicted on the painted ceiling. The next owner of the castle, Treasurer of Louis XIII, Paul Ardier ordered this cabinet to be equipped as a gallery of three hundred and sixty-three portraits: fifteen kings, from Philip VI to Louis XIII, ministers, courtiers, celebrities. This collection, including 327 portraits, is still in place, and they brought the cabinet another name - “Gallery of the Illustrious”. The Delft faience gallery flooring depicts paintings with an army of infantry and cavalry dressed in full dress uniforms from the Louis XIII era.

After visiting the castle itself, you can continue your walk in the very beautiful rose garden of the landscape park (400 species of perennials and 100 species of climbing plants), created by the landscape painter Gilles Clemen. Here you can also see the restored glacier.

Blois

House of magic and light show.

www.chateaudeblois.fr

Open daily, except 25.12 and 1.01.

Ticket prices  from 4 € to 9.50 €.

The favorite residence of the French monarchs during the Renaissance, the Chateau de Blois is a real royal palace in the Loire Valley.

Built on the carved slopes of a slope in the city center, this masterpiece shows all the splendor of French architecture. Each wing of this quadrangle with a courtyard reflects an entire era: the medieval roof of the Counts of Blois, stone and brick walls in the style of Louis XII, the wing of the Renaissance with a spiral staircase and building facades, and, finally, the classical architecture of the 17th century, displayed in the wing of Gaston Orleans. The castle also houses the Museum of Fine Arts.

To demonstrate to its visitors all the stages and the history of the construction of the castle, interactive 3D screens are located in the “Hall of the States” (salle des Etats). Each of them recreates a unique way of building buildings: from the Middle Ages to the first restorations in the 19th century, through the periods of Francis I and Gaston of Orleans. Thus ends a new guided tour of the castle. The modern program creates a special atmosphere for visitors, as if reviving for them life in the courtyard of the Renaissance. And various entertainments, such as concerts, performances, shows, ancient music concerts and summer fencing tournaments immerse visitors in the history of the great Kingdom.

Unique show. Significant moments in the history of the royal castle of Blois are presented in a projection on the facades of the four wings of the castle. With the onset of darkness at 22:00 (22:30 in June, July and August) half an hour before the show, the audience moves to the center of the courtyard. The lighting of the facades and the musical background during this expectation begin to give a fantastic look to the architectural diversity of this place and create a panorama of French architecture from XII to XVII. The show begins among sound and visual effects, which opens up the colorful world of the events of the royal palace, interpretations of royal symbols and stories of great personalities such as Francis I and Catherine de Medici.

On Wednesdays, the performance is in English. Brochures translated into English, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch.

Chambord

www.chambord.org

Chambord Manor is open daily.

The castle is open all year, except 1.01 and 25.12.

• 02.01-31.03: 10:00-17:00
• 01.04-30.09: 9:00-18:00
• 01.10-31.12: 10:00-17:00

Adult ticket  11 €, special price 9 €. Free entry: children under 18 years old, youth of the EU 18-25 years old, students, people with disabilities with an accompanying person.

Paid parking:

• Car / Motorcycle: 4 € / day
• Camping house / car up to 7.9 m.: 7 € / day (10 € per night)
• Bus / car from 7.9 m.: 45 € / day

The handsome Chambord is known all over the world, the size of this unusual castle is really impressive ... With its facade length of 128 meters, 440 rooms and 365 fireplaces, Chambord is the largest castle in the Loire Valley! A unique double staircase system has been created here - the creation of da Vinci, when people who rise do not intersect with those who descend. The castle is located in the center of 5500 hectares of the park (the former hunting ground of the Counts of Blois). Its walls and a central dungeon with four towers express the power of the French monarchy. The castle was built on a plain, according to the plan of the fortification, including a massive rectangular fence of 156 meters by 117 meters and four cylindrical towers at the corners. On the northwest side is a dungeon, which itself creates almost a whole castle. But in the aggregate of all the elements, real royal greatness and a source of inspiration for many creative personalities are born - with its geometric clarity, harmony of proportions, roofs, turrets, fireplaces and dormers ...

Chenonceau

www.chenonceau.com

Open daily.

Adult ticket  from 11 €. Evening walk in the gardens 5 €. Children under 7 years old are free.

Chenonceau is called the Ladies' Castle, it impresses with its architecture and history and is the most visited private castle in France. Chenonceau Castle - one of the brightest flowers in a bouquet of palaces of the Loire Valley. Located 30 km east of Tours and 10 km south of Amboise, by the river Cher, reflecting the beauty of its fabulous architecture.

For about 400 years, it was the fair sex that lived in the castle: Catherine Brisonnet, wife of Thomas Bohier, favorite of Henry II Diana de Poitiers, Queen Catherine de Medici, her daughter-in-law, inconsolable widow of Henry III Louise de Lorrain, Gabriel d Estre, favorite of Henry IV, the mistress of the young Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Madame Dupin, and, at the end of the last century, the local restorer Madame Peluse, a wax museum located in the “Dome Building” is dedicated to all of them.

Charming architecture, French-style gardens and a park complement the tenderness and love of this place. Chenonceau is famous not only for his “appearance” and history, but also for the wealth of his collections: Renaissance furniture, tapestries of the 16th and 17th centuries, and numerous paintings by the masters of the brush of the great artists of his time.

Cheverny

www.chateau-cheverny.com

Open daily:

• 01.01-31.03: 9:45–17:00
• 01.04-30.06: 9:15–18:15
• 01.07-31.08: 9:15–18:45
• 01.09-30.09: 9:15–18:15
• 01.10-31.10: 9:45–17:30
• 01.11-31.12: 9:45–17:00

Free parking.

Full ticket  8,70 €. Free for children under 7 years.

Located 15 km from Blois and 18 km from Chambord, Chaverny is known worldwide for its hunting traditions with hounds and a strange resemblance to Moulinsart, the castle of Captain Haddock. Erzhe, the creator of the Tintin comics, drew his inspiration from Shaverny, where the permanent exhibition dedicated to him is now located.

But the special interest of Shaverny lies in the luxurious interior of the Louis XI era and home comfort. It is because of this that visitors prefer this castle to others on the Loire. Its design was preserved in excellent condition and remained almost the same as it was back in the 17th century. Among the premises of the castle is the Trophy Hall (2,000 deer horns) and a kennel, in which more than 100 tricolor dogs live.

Cheverny Castle stands in the middle of a huge park with lawns and flower beds, giant cedars and other rare species of trees and plants also grow here. For a tour of the park from April to November, you can rent a boat.

Montigny-le-Gannelon

www.domainedemontigny.com

Adult ticket  8 euros, children 4 €, group 6 € / person.

A beautiful private castle of the 15th century is located among wheat fields, just 150 km away. from Paris, not far from Shatodan.

View: 15 ha park with a very beautiful view of the Loire Valley.

Rivo (Rivau à Lemere)

Riveau Castle Booklet www.chateaudurivau.com/img/chateaudurivau-2013.pdf

Ticket 10 €

Fairytale castle and UNESCO World Heritage Gardens. The castle gardens are the most beautiful in Turen. An ideal place for those who are tired of crowds of tourists.

View: gardens, royal stables, a maze, the castle itself.

Park and Castle of Valence (Parc et Château de Valençay)

www.chateau-valencay.fr

In the heart of Bury, one of the most iconic monuments of the Renaissance was erected - Valence Castle. It is built on the site of an ancient castle. A subtle combination of styles gives it a unique character. The Maly Theater hosts Doulce Mémoire performances. Theater ticket  15 €. Visit to the castle and the play (at 15:00) - 23.50 €. Walk through the forest of Forêt des Princes, visit a cave, taste local syrups at the Tavern of the Spaniards: + 3.50 € to the ticket price.

Full rate  12 €, with a discount (from 7 to 17 years old, teachers, disabled people) 8.50 €, children from 4 to 6 years old - 3 €. It is possible to purchase online. There is a restaurant in the park's greenhouse.

Saumur (Saumur)

www.chateau-saumur.com

Open 01.04-02.11: 10: 00-13: 00 and 14: 00-17: 30; 07/01-31.08: 10: 00-18: 30.

Closed on Mondays.

Tickets  5 - 9 €. Reduced rate (students, schoolchildren, from 7 to 16 years old): 3-5 €, children under 7 years old free of charge.

This castle is hard to miss on the way to the city of Saumur. Currently, the building is under restoration, but you can look at some of the rooms and the outside: the courtyard of Honor, gardens and the Loire panorama.

Saumur was classified as a historical monument in 1862 and represents the architecture of the XIV century (the end of the Middle Ages, the beginning of the Renaissance), worthy of castles from fairy tales.

Today, priceless collections of decorative art items are found in the former bedrooms of the Dukes of Anjou, and under the arches in the form of the underwater part of the ship’s ship is a museum dedicated to the history of horse harness.

In the second half of the 14th century Louis Er d'Anjou, brother of King Charles V, turned the medieval fortress of Louis into a residence for relaxation. Due to the splendor of the luxurious balls and receptions, as well as the decoration of the castle, that period was called the “Rich times of the Duke of Bury”.

In 1480, after the death of King Rene, the last Duke of Anjou, who christened the castle a "castle of love," Saumur returned to the king of France. Subsequently, it became the residence of city administrators, a prison, an arms depot and an ammunition depot. And finally, it was bought by the city in 1906 to open a municipal museum here.

Saumur also houses the headquarters and school of the French National Riding Center.

Villandry

www.chateauvillandry.fr

The gardens are open all year.

The castle is open from 11.02 to 11.10.

Ticket  from 4 € to 13 €

Free for children up to 8 years.

Renaissance castle and gardens.

Among the castles of the Loire, Vilandry undoubtedly owes its fame to its gardens on the terraces that adorn it from all sides.

The construction of the estate was completed in 1536, so Vilandry is the last of the large Renaissance-style castles built on the banks of the Loire. The architectural design project belongs to the Breton, Jean Le, Secretary of State Francis I. As ambassador to Rome, where he studied the landscape art of gardens, Jean Le for many years led the construction of the Chambord castle for the crowned monarch.

In the 19th century, the classical garden was destroyed, and an English park (in the style of the Monceau park in Paris) was laid out around the castle.

In 1906, the Spaniard, Dr. Joachim Carvallo (he is the great-grandfather of the real owners) bought this castle. Joaquim saved the building from dismantling and recreated from the ruins a monument of Renaissance architecture and magnificent gardens. The doctor will also be one of the first private castle owners to open the doors of his estate to the public.

How to get to the Loire castles from Paris on your own

Independent travel is not only a feeling of freedom of choice of place and time, but also a great opportunity to save or see much more than when ordering a standard “battered” program on a tour organized by someone. It is impossible to see all the castles in one day, it is advisable to plan three days for their inspection.

Rented or private car

The easiest way to get to the Loire Valley from Paris.

a) Paris - city of Tours (Tours).

A trip to Tours takes about 5 hours, depending on traffic in Paris.

From the Paris Ring Road (Paris périphérique), take the E15 / E50 / l onto the Autoroute du Soleil. Continue driving: A6B / E15 / E50.

Take the A10 / E05 onto Orleans / Nantes / Bordeaux / Palazo. Take exit 21 to Tours-Center / Montlouis / Saint-Pierre-des-Corps

The distance is about 240 km, travel on toll roads will cost about 35 €.

On the Michelin website, you can enter the address / district in Paris (or any other), the address of the destination - and get several route options with information about the cost of travel on motorways. www.viamichelin.com

You can also take a train to Tours, and there you can rent a car for trips directly to the castles. This way you will avoid traffic, traffic lights and traffic jams in Paris.

b) Paris - the city of Blois (Blois).

The duration of the trip is 3-4 hours. Route A10 (exit about 5 km from the castle) and RN 152. Motorway A10 Paris / Bordeaux, exit on Blois (Autoroute A10, Paris / Bordeaux, sortie Blois). The distance is 170 km. National road RN 152, Paris / Orleans / Blois (Route nationale RN 152, Paris / Orléans / Blois). Distance 180 km.

Price comparison site for almost all companies offering car rental services in France www.locationdevoiture.fr

... If you are with children and you only have one day to visit the Loire Valley, then you can take a bus excursion from Paris, which includes visits to three or four castles, although prepare that the trip will be a little tiring (but the game is worth the candle). On the Web, with hotels, in Paris tours. Agencies and Tourism Bureau have many offers. A one-day tour of the valley by bus or minivan costs about 150-250 € / person.

Travel by car or train, you can continue in the direction of the unique fortified island of Mont Saint-Michel in Brittany.

Train or bus

Let's start by using the excellent route designer in France on the website of the public transport company ratp.fr, with metro, buses, transfers.

Tickets for a regular or high-speed train TGV from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport or other places, see the sites www.agencies.voyages-sncf.eu/en  and www.raileurope.com. Trains run between Tours and Blois almost every hour, and there is regular bus service.

Buy tickets through the website in advance (register, book, pay by card, print): the discount sometimes reaches 50%. Tickets are registered and valid with a passport.

a) Paris - Tours.

1. Paris, Montparnasse train station (PARIS MONTPARNASSE)

in TOURS CENTER (center of Tours) Duration 1 hour. A ticket through the website for a purchase for 3 months costs 15 €, while at the box office there is 45 €.

2. TGV (from Montparnasse) to Tours, trip duration 35 min.

From Tours to Villandry (15 km), Lange (24 km); Azay le Rideau (26 km) - 6 € one way.

Local train from Tours to Orleans with stops at Amboise (20 min. From Tours) and Blois (20 min. From Amboise).

For 1.7 €, Fil Vert will transport you from Tours to Chenonceau, Amboise, Azé le Rideau www.tourainefilvert.com. Pay attention to the time of the return flight.

Regular non-tourist bus from the Tour Tour to Chenonceau: twice a day (check with the Tourism Bureau). The bus drops off passengers in the center of the village, a castle is nearby (5-10 minutes walk).

b) Paris - the city of Blois.

You can get to Blois from Austerlitz station in Paris for 1.5 hours by train (via the site 10 € one way, at the box office - 22 €), and from the city station by local buses www.tlcinfo.net for 6-8 € drive to the most popular castles of the Loire. Route: Blois, Chambord, Shepherni, Beauregard, Blois. This bus company often provides discounts on entrance fees to castles, on a schedule (see the booklet that will be given to you on the bus), drops them off at the castle, picks them up, takes them to the next one and returns to Blois. Work in the summer season.

From Blois to Beauregard (6 km), Chaumont (9 km), Cheverny (15 km), Chambord (16 km), Talsi (25 km), Amboise (34 km).

Bike as a means of moving between locks

You can rent a bicycle, choose an interesting route, use high-quality bicycle paths, see maps, photos and reviews on the Loire à Vélo or Le velo voyageur website.

3-8 days package tours www.unebaladeavelo.com and many others.

Where to stay in the Loire Valley

Do you dream to feel like real French aristocrats? You can take the opportunity to live in castles. Or choose a cozy hotel very close by.

Tour Area Hotels.

Hotels in Blois.

Good to know

Tip: To save on buying tickets to the castles of the Loire Valley, purchase them on the websites of the Tourism Bureau.

Regional tourism agency: www.loire-chateaux.org (on the site you can find out about the dates of various events taking place in the castles and the advantages of the “passport of the castles of the Loire” - 2 options for buying tickets in the complex with discounts, including a 5% discount on purchases in designated stores at locks).

Tourism Offices Sites:

City Tour (Russian): www.tours-tourisme.fr/minisite/11/russian

Blois: www.bloischambord.co.uk

Orleans: www.tourisme-orleans.com/en/

Anger: www.angersloiretourisme.com/fr/angers-loire-valley

Nantes: en.nantes-tourisme.com/

Extended list of locks: www.ru.wikipedia.org

This information is for informational purposes only. When planning independent trips, we recommend checking the relevance of fares, etc. on the above sites. We will be grateful for any suggestions and additions regarding the castles of the Loire.