| The kings of France, seduced by the temperate | | | | 5. Chateau de Cheverney |
| climate and the game-filled forests built their sumptuous | | | | Chateau de Cheverny is undoubtedly the most lavishly |
| homes here in the Loire Valley. They surrounded | | | | furnished of all the Loire Chateaux. Built between 1604 |
| themselves with the greatest artists and architects of | | | | and 1634 little has changed. Its present owner is a |
| this era. This is the country of a thousand castles. The | | | | direct descendant of the original owner and his 70 |
| valley is full of not only royal castles and renaissance | | | | hounds or so are still used for regular stag hunting. |
| palaces, national museum and large magnificent | | | | Some of the chateau's masterpieces include paintings |
| chateaux, but also medieval castles and fortresses, | | | | by old masters, tapestries from Paris and Holland plus |
| small fairy tale manors, private chateaux, medieval | | | | Louis XIV's commode and unforgettable grandfather |
| cities, churches, abbeys, and cathedrals. Many | | | | clock. The 1640s interior decoration, consisting of |
| chateaux and stately homes are open to the public: | | | | panelling, painted ceilings, and fireplaces, and paintings |
| some are state owned, such as Chambord and Blois; | | | | by Jean Monnier, is among the finest of its kind. |
| others are private, and still lived in. A large proportion of | | | | There are two interesting facts pertaining to Cheverny. |
| them run son-et-lumiere shows during the tourist | | | | Firstly, die hard Tintin fans will note that Herge based |
| season. Chateau de Chenonceau and Chateau de | | | | the mythical Moulinsart on Cheverny. If this appeals, |
| Chambord are definitely worth a visit and are close to | | | | check out the Tintin exhibition situated directly opposite |
| Blois. | | | | the chateau. Secondly, the 18th century Orangerie |
| 1.Chateau de Chenonceau | | | | served as a hiding place for the Mona Lisa during |
| Le Chateau des Dames built on a bridge across the | | | | WWII. From here, you'll be able to take in the majesty |
| river Cher is one of the more romantic chateaux of | | | | of the park and its canals which are open to the public |
| the Loire with elegant turrets, arches and stately | | | | from April to November |
| avenues bordered by plane trees. It's romantic feel is | | | | Chateau de Cheverny: 16 kilometres south-east of |
| further heightened by the fact that its stylised and | | | | Blois, Cheverny, 41700 Tel: +33 (0)2 54 79 96 29 |
| symmetrical structure is reflected in the waters of the | | | | Open: Open daily |
| Cher. | | | | 6. Chateau de Beauregard |
| Chenonceau owes much of its design and beauty to | | | | Chateau de Beauregard was largely built at the same |
| four women in particular. It was Catherine de Briconnet | | | | time as Chateau de Cheverny as a hunting lodge for |
| who first started the trend and was largely responsible | | | | Francois I. It is famous for its Galerie des Portraits |
| for its early Renaissance style. Catherine then passed | | | | which comprises over 327 portraits of Kings and their |
| the baton to Diane de Poiters (mistress of Henri II) who | | | | lovers plus famous dignitaries from 14th to 17th |
| was responsible for the formal gardens to the left of | | | | centuries. Take note of the unique flooring that is |
| the chateau as you approach it. Unfortunately Diane | | | | covered in 17th century porcelain tiles. |
| de Poitiers was forced to relinquish ownership of | | | | Chateau de Beauregard: 6 kilometres south of Blois, |
| Chenonceau to Catherine de Medici (the embittered | | | | Cellettes, 41120 Tel: +33 (0)2 54 70 36 74 Open: |
| wife of Henri II) who offered Chateau de Chaumont in | | | | Closed Wed in winter months and entirely for the |
| exchange. Not entirely a fair swap! Later the castle | | | | month of January |
| was inherited by Louise de Lorraine, the bereaved | | | | 7. Chateau Azay le Rideau |
| wife of Henri III Catherine's favourite son. Louise | | | | The Azay le Rideau Castle, one of the purest creation |
| painted her bedroom ceiling black and white out of | | | | of the Renaissance, was built on an island of the Indre |
| respect for her late husband. | | | | River, an ideal setting for an architectural jewel. The |
| Madame Dupin also had a pivotal role in the | | | | son-et-lumiere events held in the park during the |
| development of Chenonceau in the 18th century and | | | | summer tell some of the history of the Chateau and |
| was responsible for encouraging literary events to be | | | | are not to be missed if you are there at the right time. |
| held here. The likes of Rousseau, Voltaire and | | | | 8. Chateau de Villandry |
| Montesquieu all spending time here. Today | | | | Villandry was one of the last of the very big chateaux |
| Chenonceau is a profitable business owned by the | | | | built around 1536 in the Loire valley during the |
| Menier family who are known as respected | | | | renaissance. It houses some interesting and very |
| chocolatiers. | | | | valuable antiques and furnishings but it is probably best |
| Chateau de Chenonceaux: Chateau de Chenonceau, | | | | known for its Italian Renaissance garden created by |
| 30 minutes from Blois, Chenonceau, 37150 Tel: +33 | | | | Dr Carvallo. As well as being very ornate and |
| (0)2 47 23 90 07 Open: Closed 25th Dec & 1st Jan, 1st | | | | decorative, the gardens produce fruit, vegetables and |
| May | | | | herbs which are sold locally to raise funds for the |
| 2. Chateau de Chambord | | | | maintenance of the chateau. |
| Chambord is truly royal in its great scale, its grand air, | | | | 9. Chateau du Clos Luce |
| its indifference to common consideration (Henry | | | | Chateau du Clos Luce is where Leonard de Vinci |
| James). It combined the dream of King Francois I with | | | | spent the last years of his life. You can visit his study, |
| the imagination of Leonardo de Vinci. The result is a | | | | salons, kitchen and bedrooms, the chapel and see |
| real mathematisation of architecture, a grandiose | | | | frescoes painted by his pupils. His drawings and |
| creation : 440 rooms with 365 fireplaces, a fabulous | | | | paintings are set out in the park of the chateau with |
| double staircase, and a unique roof terrace | | | | giant models of the most spectacular machines he |
| Chateau de Chambord: 15 minutes south east of Blois, | | | | invented with voice-overs of Leonardo da Vinci and |
| Domaine national de Chambord, Chambord, Tel: +33 | | | | his disciple Melzi. |
| (0)2 54 5040 00 Open: Closed on 25th Dec, 1st Jan | | | | Le Chateau du Clos Luce: 30 minutes from us, at |
| and 1st May | | | | demeure de Leonard de Vinci,Amboise 37400 Tel: |
| 3. Chateau Blois | | | | +33(0)2 47 57 00 73 Open: daily except 25 December |
| Chateau Blois is almost like four separate chateaux | | | | to 1st January |
| rolled into one - so diverse are the architectural styles | | | | 10. Chateau du Chaumont |
| at play here. The Medieval heart is centred around the | | | | Chateau du Chaumont is located on the southern bank |
| Salle des Etats Generaux which is where the court | | | | of the Loire River about 20 minutes west of Blois. It |
| and council were based. Flamboyant Gothic flair is | | | | was the first chateau at Chaumont-sur-Loire, |
| evident in the Louis XII wing whereas Renaissance | | | | Loir-et-Cher, France. Originating in the 11th century, it |
| architecture is the dominant style in the Francois 1 wing. | | | | was built by Eudes II, Count of Blois. |
| It is in the Francois 1 wing that you'll find Catherine de | | | | In 1560, the castle became the property of Catherine |
| Medici's private rooms complete with array of poisons. | | | | de' Medici who entertained numerous astrologers |
| This was also the spot where the Duc de Guise was | | | | there, including Nostradamus. On the death of her |
| brutally murdered in 1588 after he was thought to be | | | | husband, King Henry II, Catherine used her power to |
| planning a Catholic uprising against Henri III. Apparently, it | | | | take over the much coveted Chateau de Chenonceau |
| was Henri who carried out the deed himself only to be | | | | from her husband's mistress, Diane de Poitiers. As |
| murdered himself a year later by a monk. Lastly, the | | | | certain legalities had to be met, Diane was forced to |
| Gaston d'Orleans wing will satisfy any cravings for | | | | accept the Chateau de Chaumont as payment for her |
| Classical architecture. Evenings are a particularly good | | | | beloved Chenonceau. Diane de Poitiers lived at |
| time to visit Blois especially if you book to see the 'son | | | | Chaumont for only a short time when the castle was |
| et lumiere' shows that recount the chateau's turbulent | | | | sold. |
| past. | | | | The chateau holds an international garden festival |
| Chateau de Blois: Place du Chateau, Blois, 41000 Tel: | | | | covering a different theme each year from April to |
| +33 (0)2 54 90 33 33 Open: Closed on 25th Dec and | | | | October. |
| 1st Jan | | | | |