Visit the Loire Chateau - A Journey to the Valley of the Kings

The name Loire inspires images of romantic fairytaleseveral times between the 9th and 14th centuries, the
castles, stories of the Plantagenets and the Mediciscastle was a key defence in protecting the eastern
and royal intrigue, and lush green valleys and vineyardsapproach to Anjou. Towers and walls from the 1360s
surrounding the rivers of the area. Known as thehave survived and offer a beautiful view over the
Valley of the Kings, the French royals built their homescountryside. The castle has served as barracks and
here, creating an unrivalled region of beautiful andas a prison - the Marquis de Sade was held captive
historical architecture. But, it's not just the awe-inspiringhere for awhile. The town bought it in 1906 and
castles (chateaux) that are the attraction; theundertook extensive renovation work, and it now
fascinating stories of the people that lived in them arehouses the Museum of Decorative Arts and the
utterly compelling. Below are the principal chateaux ofEquestrian Museum.
the Pays de la Loire. Most of these chateaux are builtMontgeoffroy
along the Loire, the 'royal river', and are often built uponMontgeoffroy Chateau is a place where time stands
medieval, or even Neolithic, sites. Many are made ofstill - nothing has changed since the Marechal of
the local tufa, a white limestone that adds to theContades, governor of Strasbourg, had it built,
elegant style of the chateaux. Some are still privatedecorated, and furnished between 1772 and 1775. It
homes, some have been converted into museums,has been home to that same family ever since. The
and some have their own vineyards and offer winemarshal asked Nicholas Barre, a Parisien architect, to
tasting.design it around a lovely chapel and two towers
Chateaux found in the French Department (county)ofremaining from a former chateau. Inside, the rooms
Maine-Et-Loirehave retained their original appeal and good taste:
Angerspaintings by old masters, fine original furnishings, and in
More than 1000 years old, this giant of tufa and slatethe kitchens are shelves of gleaming copperware that
overlooking the Maine River is typical of castleslook as good today as the day they were made. With
encountered on crusades to the Holy Land. Built overits white stone facade softened by a slate roof and
Gallo-Roman town buildings, in turn standing on atall pink chimneys, Montgeoffroy is one of the most
Neolithic site dating from 4500 - 4000 BC, the chateauoutstanding masterpieces of French 18th century
of the Counts of Anjou is surrounded by a fortressarchitecture. Tel: 02 41 80 60 02.
constructed by Saint Louis. With walls 30 metres highBauge
and 17 towers, it was key in the defence of Anjou andHistorically a jewel in the crown for the Baugeois area
the largest fortified castle in France. The lovely Bout du- the chateau was a favourite residence of Good King
Monde gardens enhance your visit to the castle. TheRene - the importance of Chateau de Bauge
chateau houses the famous Apocalypse Tapestry -increased with the large number of lodges and
the largest medieval tapestry in the world -wealthy dependencies in the area. The many little
commissioned by Duke Louis I of Anjou in thetowers pop up out of the trees next to the little Loir
mid-1370's.river. Inside, the chateau glows with its collections of
Montsoreauporcelain, weapons, and furnishings. There's also an
In this picturesque Small City of Character, Montsoreauancient apothecary that is considered one of the best
is one of the most romantic of all the chateaux in thecollections in France.
Loire Valley. Much of its fame is based on the popularDurtal
Alexandre Dumas novel, 'La Dame de Montsoreau',Rising from the waters of the Loir up six floors to loom
written in 1860, and at the castle you can learn aboutover the town below, Chateau de Durtal was the
this beautiful Lady of Montsoreau. Rising high aboveenvy of many great historical figures, including Henry II
the Loire and the Vienne rivers, the chateau overlooksof France, Charles X, Catherine de Medici, and Louis
three historical provinces: Anjou, Touraine, and Poitou.XIII. Royalty were keen to enjoy the splendid lifestyle
Unlike other castles by the Loire, Montsoreau wasoffered by the chateau. Visitors are invited to explore
actually built near the river. A combination of castle andthe castle from top to bottom, taking in the trophy
grand residence, the chateau is the setting for theroom, kitchens, and dungeons. The wall walk offers a
spectacular 'Stories of the Loire', which pays tribute togood view of the area.
the 'royal river'.La Lorie
Le Plessis-BourreThe Chateau de la Lorie was the epitome of gracious
Le Plessis-Bourre Chateau is so lovely, it's used as aliving with its parkland sculptures, architecture,
set for many French films. Built between 1468 andmagnificent library, and an orangery where the area's
1473 by Jean Bourre, this defensive castle is made offirst pineapples were grown. The chateau has a
tufa stone, has wide water-filled moats, a doublemagnificent marble drawing room, which the English
drawbridge, fortified gates, and large towers androyal family is rumoured to have greatly admired when
parapets. But beyond the gatehouse, Le Plessisthey stayed here as guests. There are also the
ceases to be a fortress and becomes a countryremnants of a stud farm.
house. A spacious courtyard surrounded by arcadesChateaux found in the French Department (county) of
and overlooked by elaborately mullioned windowsSarthe:
leads to the house filled with richly furnished rooms.Laval
Formerly a covered walkway leading to the chapel,Built on a rocky spur in the 11th century and rebuilt in
the library is 36 metres long and contains more thanthe 16th century, the Laval Chateau overlooks the river
3000 volumes. The intriguing Salle des Gardes has aand offers superb views of the old town. Inside is The
painted ceiling depicting strange allegorical figuresMuseum of Art Naif, one of the finest museums of
whose presence and meaning is a mystery.folk art containing a collection of some of the greatest
Brissacinternational masters of Art Naif painting. There's also a
At seven stories high, Brissac is the tallest chateau inreproduction of local artist Douanier Rousseau's studio.
France and is called 'The Giant of the Loire Valley'. It'sTourist office tel: 02 43 49 46 46.
been home to the Dukes of Brissac since 1502 and isLe Lude
today the residence of the 13th Duke of Brissac. OfOriginally built as a medieval castle, Chateau du Lude is
the original 15th century fortress, there remain twoone of the finest examples of early Renaissance
medieval towers and the ancient wine cellars (winechateaux in France. There is a lovely long terrace on
tasting available). The Chateau de Brissac has 203the south-facing facade that overlooks the extensive
sumptuously decorated rooms, an exceptional 19thgardens and parkland that stretch to the banks of the
century Belle Epoque theatre, ornate gold-leaf ceilings,little Loir river. The original fortress was built between
Flemish and Gobelin tapestries, and a magnificentthe 10th and 11th centuries, in order to defend Anjou
70-hectare parkland. In 1620, Louis XIII and his courtfrom invaders. The richness and variety of the styles
stayed in Brissac to sign a peace treaty for histhat characterise the chateau are echoed in the interior
mother, Marie de Medicis, who was exiled in Angers.decoration and furniture. In the hands of the same
This chateau and it's owners were of such enormousfamily for the last 250 years, Le Lude belongs to the
attraction and importance that the future Henry II ofCount and Countess Louis-Jean de Nicolay, who have
France declared, "If I wasn't a dauphin, I'd like to be acarried on its restoration and decoration.
Brissac."Chateaux found in the French Department (county) of
BrezeLoire-Atlantique
A chateau under a chateau, Breze is a rare exampleNantes
of a troglodyte castle, with miles of undergroundThe Castle of the Dukes of Brittany (Chateau des
medieval passages providing the largest undergroundDucs de Bretagne ) is a massive fortified chateau that
stately home in Europe. Above ground, Breze Chateauserved as the centre of the historical province of
has both 16th and 19th century battlements and a dryBrittany until 1941, when the regions and departments
moat 18 metres deep - the deepest in Europe. Oncewere restructured. It was the residence of the Dukes
owned by the Prince of Conde, this enormous chateauof Brittany from the 13th to the 16th centuries, then
has been in the Dreux-Brezes family for 400 yearsbecame the residence of the French monarchy. Listed
and is currently the home to the Count and Countessas a historic monument by the French Ministry of
de Colbert. Breze is surrounded by vineyards - winesCulture since 1862, the recently restored chateau now
have been made here since the15th century - and youalso houses the Nantes History Museum. The castle
can visit the wine cellars, the press, and the mill.and the museum offer a modern vision by presenting
Montreuil-Bellaythe past, the present, and the future of the city. A walk
Originally a medieval fortress built in the 11th century byon the fortified ramparts provides excellent views of
the infamous Foulques Nerra (The Black Falcon),the castle, its courtyards, and of the town. The
Montreuil-Bellay Chateau had a stately home added innight-lighting, which won the Light Originator Prize of the
the 15th century. The town of Montreuil-Bellay was builtLumiville Trophy 2007, dramatically displays the
on a rocky outcrop and is the last surviving walledarchitectural complexity.
town of the 32 that once stood in Anjou. SurroundedGoulaine
by vineyards, the delightful town has retained aChateau Goulaine has been in the Marquis de
medieval atmosphere. The chateau has splendidGoulaine's family for more than 1000 years. A fortress
medieval kitchens, a collegiate church, and was one ofin the middle ages, Goulaine was entirely rebuilt during
the most important venues for hunting with falcons inthe Renaissance period in the style of the great
the 13th century. The chateau produces AOC wines -homes of the Loire valley. Although the outside looks
red, white, rose, and effervescent. The grapes arelike a stern Breton castle, inside is a land of butterflies
harvested by hand and the wine is bottled at castle.and biscuits. The chateau has an outstanding collection
Sales and wine tasting are available.of antiques, and the Tropical House butterfly farm has
Serrantbutterflies fluttering freely from April to November. The
Architects, builders, and artists have made Serrant thechateau also has a collection of memorabilia, including
prince among Anjou's chateaux. Lived in by the sameposters from the Lu bakery company. The castle is
family since the 18th century, this Renaissance chateaucurrently the home of writer Robert de Goulaine, who
has one of the finest private collections of furniture inwill happily autograph his books for you.
France - the cabinets are truly exceptional. There isChateau found in the French Department (county) of
also a magnificent library with 12,000 volumes,Vendee:
magnificent tapestries, art objects, and furniture of theTerre-Neuve
Belle Epoque. Evenings in July and August have theTerre-Neuve Chateau is a treasure of a castle with
guides dressed in Belle Epoque costumes - entrancemagnificent architecture and parkland. A prime
by reservation only.example of the elegance of Renaissance times, inside
Le Plessis-Maceare carved stone fireplaces, elaborate ceilings,
With outer defences dating back to the 12th century,antiques, and paintings. Built on a hill in
this fortified manor house has superb views over theFontenay-le-Comte in 1580, Terre-Neuve has been
Loire. Le Plessis-Mace is an appealing jumble of stylesoccupied as a residence ever since.
and materials with its combined use of schist and tufa.Chateau found in the French Department (county) of
Louis de Beaumont was the most significant of LeMayenne:
Plessis-Mace's 15th century lords. A knight of theSte-Suzanne
Order of St-Michael, his chapel is dedicated to theThe keep of the Chateau of Sainte-Suzanne and the
dragon-slaying saint Still a residence, the chateau hosts14th and 15th century ramparts have changed little
the Anjou Festival's theatrical presentation everyover the centuries. Set in this Small City of Character
summer.with cobblestone streets and medieval buildings, the
Saumurcastle has a rampart walk with fabulous views over
Overlooking the Loire, the Chateau of Saumur is a joythe surrounding Coevrons countryside.
to behold. Built, destroyed by invaders, and rebuilt