The most beautiful castles in the Loire River valley. Open left menu Loire Valley Castles of the Loire on a map of France from Paris

Huaron Castle is a world landmark located in Huaron, in the department of De Sèvres, western France. The history of the castle begins with the war with the British for the rule of France in the 15th century, when the King of France, Charles VII the Victor, gave possessions and a large forest to Huaron Guillaume Gouffier, who became the governor of Tyuren. Castle Huaron is the place that Charles Perrault described in his fairy tale “Puss in Boots.” The mistress of King Louis XIV, Madame de Montespan, lived in this castle.

Guillaume Gouffier built a magnificent castle, and his descendants updated and improved it. In 1538, his stepdaughter Helene de Hengest was responsible for the construction of the collegiate church, which is adjacent to the castle. In 1551, Henry II and his entire retinue visited Claude Gouffier, who was granted the title of Marquis de Caravas. Claude Gouffier served as the prototype for the "Marquis of Carabas" in the fairy tale "Puss in Boots".

After several reconstructions, the castle consisted of a main building and two long projecting wings, one of which is a rebuilt monastery. The castle galleries contain exquisite works of French Renaissance art.

Chateau de Brézé

Chateau de Breze is a magnificent and luxurious castle founded in the 16th century. The construction of the castle took place over 3 centuries, and therefore the appearance of the palace clearly shows an elegant architectural mixture of styles, but the Renaissance style predominates.

Chateau de Breze - a real pearl of the Loire Valley, is the private property of John Colbert - a descendant of the de Colbert dynasty. The highlight of the castle is its amazing underground catacombs, carved out of rock, not inferior in size to the castle itself.

The underground premises were discovered only at the beginning of the 21st century; accordingly, no one used them, and therefore they are perfectly preserved.

Also noteworthy is the deepest moat in Western Europe surrounding the castle. Every year there is a festival-tasting of natural wine "La Dive Bouteille". The castle also hosts excursions and organizes an exciting game for adults and children, “Treasure Hunt.”

Petit Thouars Castle

The Petit Thouars Castle is a Renaissance structure located on a charming and fairy-tale hilltop near the banks of the Vienne River, between Chinon and Fontevraud. The descendants of Aristide Petit Thouars, a French naval officer who fought during the American Revolution, created a small museum here dedicated to the adventures of their family members.

Here, on the slope, are the vineyards belonging to the Petit Thouars family. You can have a tasting of sparkling or still wines, and then go on an excursion to the museum. The castle itself, alas, is a private residence, so you can only admire it from the outside. It is made in a classical style, therefore it is devoid of various hyperbolic elements. In general, the structure looks quite harmonious.

Castle Gien

The castle of Gien was built in the 16th century as an apartment for the daughter of Anne de Gien on the site of a royal hunting lodge, which became the reason for the organization of a hunting museum in the castle. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is in contention to be considered the first Renaissance castle of the Loire Valley. In 1823 it came into the possession of local authorities and was opened to the public in 1952.

Perpendicular to the main body of the building, another one was added on the eastern side, which looks towards the river. The facade of the courtyard is decorated with three octagon-shaped towers, where spiral staircases were added.

Today, the castle of Gien has assembled its hunting collection. By visiting the walls of the museum, anyone can see guns, tapestries, as well as paintings and sketches by the French artist Francois Deporte. The latter were moved to a large hall, insofar as only there it was possible to place them all. The hall is built of red brick, and along the long walls there are cozy fireplaces and benches where you can view the entire arsenal of paintings of the castle. In addition, the museum has a collection of 5,000 buttons and fasteners that previously served on hunting suits.

Chinon Castle

Chinon Castle, located in the French city of the same name, on the banks of the Vienne River, is one of the royal castles of the Loire Valley. It was built on the site of former Roman fortifications of the 5th century in the 11th–12th centuries. The castle-fortress consists of three parts: in the center you can see the ruins of several churches and partially preserved royal apartments; on the flat side and on the cliff side, the main buildings are protected by two forts - Fort Saint-Georges, where excavations are currently underway, and Fort Coudray on the edge of the cliff. .

The castle has changed hands throughout its history. Its most famous owners were King Henry II of England, who ordered the eastern part of the castle to be rebuilt with a fortress, a mill tower and a chapel; the future King of France, Charles VII, founded his residence in Chinon in the 15th century. The Duke of Richelieu, to whom Chenon became the property in the 17th century, destroyed the throne room and some other buildings in order to rebuild them in a modern style. This caused the castle's floors and ceilings to collapse. Since 1854, restoration work has been carried out at the castle. Now you can see the floor restored according to the original drawings in the royal chambers and copies of antique furniture in the halls of the castle.

Sarze Castle

Sarze Castle is an imposing medieval fortress, consisting of 38 towers and three drawbridges. Numerous furnished rooms retain their historical authenticity. From the top of the towers you can admire the beauty of the surrounding area. The deep moats around the fortress, the chapel and the main hall have now been restored, adding to the beauty of this castle.

Initially, in the middle of the 14th century, the castle was an estate belonging to the Barbonsua family. This was a knightly family, whose sons distinguished themselves in the battles of the Hundred Years' War. The Barbonsois built the castle and owned it until 1720. It should be noted that initially on the site of the castle there was an open area, surrounded by a moat and a fence, of which now only one tower-chapel remains.

Sarze Castle was located practically on the border of the French kingdom, next to the English possessions of Poitou, Limousin and Aquitaine, and therefore was part of the first line of defense of the kingdom.

By 1440, Jean de Barbonsois had built a hall surrounded by five towers, one of which had several floors. All towers were topped with machicolations. Today, the palace is one of the most popular and photographed historical and architectural monuments in France.

Castle of Saint-Aignan

The Castle of Saint-Aignan is one of the monumental architectural structures located in the Loire River valley in France. It is located on a cliff above the Cher River in Saint-Aignan, a municipality of France, Loire et Cher department. The municipality is located at a distance of about 195 kilometers from Paris.

The Castle of Saint-Aignan looks impressive. Now privately owned, the castle is a residential area, but the public has the right to enter the courtyard to view the building from all sides. At the moment there are no excursions to the interior halls of the castle.

This is a typical Renaissance building, built in the 16th century on the ruins of a medieval castle that was previously located on the territory of Saint-Aignan. Some walls of the old fortress are still preserved, and anyone can look at them.

Le Reaux Castle

The castle of Le Reo, located in the French village of Chouse-sur-Loire, among the vineyards of the Loire Valley, was built in the 15th-16th centuries by the Brisson family in the Renaissance style. The beautiful building, consisting of several pointed turrets connected to each other, is built of white and gray bricks laid out in a checkerboard pattern, which gives it a certain fairytale-like quality.

Le Reo Castle got its name from one of the owners, the famous French memoirist Tallemant de Reo, author of “Entertaining Stories” from court life during the reign of King Henry IV. Reo acquired it in the 17th century and asked the king to give the castle his name.

The fairytale castle is surrounded by gardens that cover approximately ten acres. The romantic setting of the castle attracts tourists from all over the world, who can stay in a small hotel located in several rooms of the castle. Since 2005, Le Reo has been owned by a Ukrainian businessman who continues and expands the hotel business.

Villesaven Castle

The Villesavin castle is one of the castles of the Loire Valley, built in 1537 by order of Jean le Breton, secretary of Francis I. French and Italian architects worked on the creation of the structure, whose credits include the royal castle of Chambord. Made in a harmonious Renaissance style. It is now privately owned, but tours of the grounds and inside the structure are permitted. Visitors can explore the history of royal weddings at the associated Wedding Museum.

From the outside, Vilsaven Castle resembles an Italian Renaissance villa. In front of the building there is a Florentine bowl made of Carrara marble. The entire structure is divided into a central residential building and two pavilions. One of the latter houses a historical chapel, which at one time, namely in 1611, was visited by Queen Catherine de Medici.

The wedding museum contains about one and a half thousand exhibits dedicated to the celebration of this event, starting from 1840 and ending with the twentieth century. In addition, Vilsaven Castle houses a museum of children's cars and horse-drawn cars.

Gizo Castle

The Castle of Giseau, located among forests in the commune of the same name in the French department of Indre-et-Loire, is part of the Loire-Anjou-Touraine National Natural Park. Its history begins in the 14th century, when there was a defensive fortress on the site of the current castle. For three centuries, from 1315 to 1660, the castle of Giso belonged to the du Bellay family, the most famous representative of which is the poet from the poetic “Pleiades” Joachim du Bellay. It was then bought by Prince Louis Gabriel de Contades, Marquis of Gizo, whose name the castle currently bears.

The castle has been rebuilt over several centuries and bears the imprints of several styles: from the Renaissance style to elements of the Renaissance. The castle building looks like a labyrinth consisting of several multi-level buildings. All of them are built of white stone, but their interiors are different due to the constant change of owners. Each of them brought something new to decorate their home. The Château de Giseau contains two large art galleries: the Gallery of Francis I, which contains paintings from the early 17th century, and the Royal Castle Gallery, on the walls of which you can see paintings from the late 17th century depicting royal palaces and scenes from rural life. The total area of ​​the two galleries is 400 square meters.

The castle park was laid out in 1829 and features classic picturesque lawns. In 1945, Gizo Castle was included in the list of French architectural monuments under the protection of the Ministry of Culture.

Montreuil Bellay Castle

The Chateau of Montreuil-Belley is a historical building in the town of Montreuil-Belley, département of Maine-et-Loire, France. The castle was built on the site of a Gallo-Roman village on a high hill, on the banks of the Thouet River.

In the Middle Ages, the Montreuil-Belle site, covering more than 1,000 acres, was part of a group of 32 neighboring villages that made up the Leju district.

The feudal estate of Montreuil-Belle first belonged to Geldua of Denmark, then by royal inheritance it passed to Berle the Old, who became the first Sire of Belle. In 1025 the castle was captured by Fulk Nerra, who made Giraud Berle his vassal in the second half of the 12th century.

After the defeat of the English, the fief was returned to a descendant of the Berlet the Old family, Guillaume de Melun. After this, the estate underwent many reconstructions, with tall massive structures and walls with 13 towers, as well as an entrance through a fortified gateway. The castle's name was anglicized from Berle in Belle.

In 1822, the building was purchased by businessman Adrien Nivlu from Saumur, who divided the huge plot into smaller ones and rented them out. In 1860, several of the rooms here were restored in the troubadour style.

Reo Castle

The Chateau de Reaux is one of the castles of the Loire Valley, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built by the Brisone family at the end of the 15th century. Made in the Renaissance style and is considered a historical architectural monument. Around the castle there are wide meadows and quiet rivers, which are ideal for artists and poets to find a muse, and the building itself is considered the most elegant and sophisticated of all the buildings in the valley.

Reo Castle is located in the middle of a small artificially created island, around which a wide moat was dug and filled with living water. Constructed of stone and brick, which is reflected in its two-tone appearance. Today, the luxuriously decorated castle can be distinguished by a newly opened gallery dedicated to women's legs. The collection of paintings is growing every year and already numbers about 700 copies.

The castle acquired its name thanks to its next owner, the memoirist Talleman de Reo, who in 1653 persuaded the king to rename the building from “Chueze Castle” to “Le Reo Castle”. Today the owner of the building is the Yukhnytsya family, which organized the art gallery.

Lavarden Castle

Lavardin Castle, located in the commune of the same name in the French department of Cher-et-Loire, is currently a medieval ruin. The first stone fortress was built on this site, on a hill, among forests, in 1070. In the 12th century, towers and a triple facade were added to the main structure, making the castle one of the fortified buildings among the nearby ones. The castle was rebuilt and strengthened several times, adapting to new military strategies.

An interesting historical fact is the fact that even the famous Richard the Lionheart could not capture the castle. Lavarden Castle was completely destroyed in the 16th century by the troops of Henry IV. Today you can see several buildings, from one of which there remains a large guardhouse with embrasures for cannons and a large underground storage room. Through the security room of the building located above, you can get to the underground galleries. From a height of 26 meters, the last level of the Lavarden Castle buildings offers a beautiful view of the neighboring villages and valleys.

Menard Castle

Chateau Menard, located in the famous French region of the Loire Valley, between the cities of Tours and Orleans, was built in the 17th century in the Romanesque style of white stone. A two-story castle with an even row of windows and classic gable roofs stands on the river bank. The palace was expanded several times and now is a building with a main building and attached parts of different levels.

The Chateau de Menard is famous for the fact that for some time it served as the residence of the famous Marquise de Pompadour, the favorite of King Louis XV. The Marquise purchased this beautiful chateau in 1760 for a million livres from the heirs of the tax farmer Guillaume Charron, who served under Louis XIV and earned a huge fortune. To expand the property, Madame de Pompadour invited the famous royal architect Gabriel, but did not have time to implement her plans, since she died already in 1764.

The castle was inherited by her brother Marigny, who completed the work begun by his sister thanks to the help of the great architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot, author of the Paris Pantheon project. This is how extensive terraces leading to the Laura River and beautiful park areas appeared on the castle grounds, which are in complete harmony with the surrounding area.

Montpoupon Castle

The Château de Montpoupon, located in the middle of a forest in the French department of Indre-et-Loire and built in the Romanesque style of sandstone and stone, has been protected as a historical monument by the country's Ministry of Culture since 1930.

The first building on this site was created in the 12th century. Over the course of several centuries, the castle, which is a strategic fortress, was rebuilt several times. In the XIV-XVII centuries it belonged to the Prie family and was modernized. It was at that time that a gate fort, a western tower, a separate donjon with a steep parapet arose, and internal chambers with high ceilings were equipped. During the Great French Revolution, all the fortress walls, except the front one, were demolished.

Since the mid-19th century, the castle has belonged to the Motte Saint-Pierre family. The Hunting Museum, whose collection is dedicated to amateur hunting, is located in outbuildings of the 19th century. The exhibitions of several pavilions introduce visitors to forestry and livestock farming developed in this region of the country.

Angers Castle

The ancient fortress is a symbol of the city of Angers and its central attraction. The original fortress appeared here in the 11th century on the site of ancient Halo-Roman fortifications at the direction of Fulk III Nerr, Count of Anjou. Then, in 1228-1238, King Louis IX significantly strengthened the fortress and rebuilt it, creating a classic fortification structure capable of repelling almost any attack. In those days, the main potential enemy was the Dukes of Breton. The castle was built on a high bank of the river and fortified with 17 towers about 30 meters high. In 1485, under Louis XI, a ditch filled with water was dug around the fortress.

In the 15th century, Angers became the residence of Rene, Count of Anjou and Provence, King of Naples and Sicily, popularly nicknamed “Rene the Good.” This nickname was given to the count for his services in the field of literature, poetry, and construction. He was valued for his patronage of the poor and oppressed, and for his love of festivals and knightly tournaments.

Montsoreau Castle

The Château de Montsoreau, located in the French department of Maine-et-Loire, has long been a strategic fortress, as evidenced by the 15th-century octagonal observation tower built in Italian style. The castle itself was built in 1455 from white sandstone in the Renaissance style with a huge number of fireplaces, spiral staircases, wall paintings, Jean de Chambes, advisor to King Charles VII.

The most famous owner of the castle was Charles de Chambes, a character in the novel “The Countess de Monsoreau” by Alexandre Dumas the Father. Charles de Chambes and his wife Countess de Monsoreau lured her lover, Monsieur de Bussy d'Amboise, to the castle, where de Chambes' detachment brutally dealt with him.

Since 1862, Montsoreau Castle has been included in the list of historical monuments under the protection of the French Ministry of Culture. Now in the 16 halls of the castle, which has belonged to the department of Maine and Loire since 1913, there is an exhibition “Images of the Loire” and a museum of a detachment of Moroccan cavalry, the collection of which contains weapons and military paraphernalia of the detachment that conquered Morocco and participated in the Second World War.

Brissac Castle

Brissac Castle, located in the Languedoc province, is the tallest castle in France. Its height is 52 meters.

The name of the castle and the surrounding area is associated with the medieval nickname of the millers "Breche-sac", which means "hole in the sack". It is believed that the millers poured the grain through a specially made hole in the bag. The initiator of the construction of the castle-fortress was Count of Anjou Fulk Nerra. However, the owner of the fortress was constantly changing until 1434, and the main purpose of the fortress was military; a military garrison was based in the castle. The architecture of the castle was significantly influenced by the art of the Italian Renaissance, adherents of which were many architects who created beautiful buildings in the Loire Valley.

The northern and eastern facades of the castle overlook the city of Brissac and the park. The northern wing, located at right angles to the main building, is designed in a more formal style. Nearby there is a tall square tower.

In the Gothic southern tower there is a private chapel, where you can view the famous marble bas-relief made by the local master of the early 19th century, David d'Angers. The interiors of the castle, carefully preserved by the owners, are of particular interest to visitors. The walls of the halls are decorated with decorative wooden panels, the ceilings are covered with paintings , and the furnishings of the apartments consist of valuable antique pieces of furniture.

Clisson Castle

In the town of Clisson, 107 kilometers west of Saumur, in the Loire department, the Clisson castle is located. It is located on a high granite plateau, on the left bank of the Sèvres-Nantaise River. This castle belonged to the Clisson family and was built in the 13th - 15th centuries.

It was a closed fortress wall with many defensive towers. At the beginning of the 15th century, the castle was captured by Duke Francis of Brittany. Under him, the castle turned into a real formidable fortress. Another fortress wall was completed. Clisson Castle was an important strategic point on the Brittany border, providing protection from the duchies of Anjou and Poitou.

The residential buildings included a state hall, several living rooms and a kitchen. Only the walls have survived to this day. To the east of the living quarters there were two rectangular towers. On the south side there was a donjon, consisting of two towers. The approaches to the castle from the north were protected by two barbicans. The castle was surrounded by bastions with cannons that could be used to fire at the opposite bank. In the western part there were two round towers of the 15th century with walls about six meters thick, which in the 18th century served as prisons: for women and for men.

Beauregard Castle

The Beauregard Castle, located in the Loir-et-Cher department, 10 kilometers from the city of Blois, consists of two parts, built at different times. Most of the castle was created in 1545, when its owner was King Henry II's secretary of state, Jean de Thiers, Seigneur de Beauregard, whose name the castle still bears. Since then, the original fireplace frescoes and the Italian-style fireplace, which is located in the Grand Gallery, have been preserved. In 1617, the castle of Beauregard was bought by Paul Ardière, the military treasurer. By his order, the building was completed in the Renaissance style from white stone, with bas-reliefs on the pediment, arched entrances and symmetrical lines.

To decorate the interior of the castle, Ardière invited the best artists of the country, whose main brainchild was the 26-meter-long Portrait Gallery. It has preserved to this day 327 portraits of famous French and foreign statesmen, from kings and queens to marshals and treasurers. The floor of the Gallery is paved with 5,500 faience tiles, the blue ceiling is made of lapis lazuli - one of the most expensive minerals in the 17th century. Descendants of Ardière still live in the castle, but it is open to tourists who can enjoy the interiors of the Middle Ages and, of course, visit the famous Portrait Gallery.

Villandry Castle

Villandry Castle is one of the selected castles of Laura; it was built in the middle of the 16th century by order of Jean le Breton, secretary of Francis I, a native of Scotland. Made in the Renaissance style in the shape of the letter U, surrounded by wide gardens and a donjon. The interior decoration of the castle was completed in the 18th century. In this historical building, on July 4, 1189, a meeting was held between the King of France, Philip Augustus, and the King of England, Henry II Plantagenet, which ended with the signing of a peace treaty in favor of France.

Unlike any other castle in France, the elegant Castle of Villandry represents Renaissance architecture. Beautiful wide windows with pilasters and capitals, dormers with currencies and tympanums, slight asymmetry of the facade, arcade galleries - everything was reminiscent of the Renaissance.

In 1754, the building was transferred to the Marquis de Castellane. The latter wanted to transform the castle, adapting to the modern tastes of the time, as a result of which arches and balconies were installed, and walls were laid in place of the colonnades to furnish a kitchen and additional corridors. Already in 1906, the new owner of the building returned the castle of Villandry to its original appearance, which has been preserved to this day.

Royal Castle of Blois

The Royal Castle of Blois was one of the favorite residences of Francis I and Louis XII. This is one of the largest castles in the Loire. It is located on its right bank, in the center of Blois. Along with the rest of the Loire castles, the Royal Castle of Blois is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Its main part was built by the Dukes of Orleans in the 15th century. One of them, who ascended the French throne as Louis XII, remained to live in Blois. His daughter was also attached to this residence and insisted that Francis I, her husband, allocate funds to renovate the palace in the style of the late Gothic Italian Renaissance.

At the end of the 16th century, bloody events unfolded in Blois. Henry III lured his enemy, Henry of Guise, along with his brother, to this palace, where they were both killed, and two weeks later Catherine de Medici died in the castle. Tourists are usually shown her hiding place, where she kept poisons.

This place holds many secrets and mystical stories.

Blaine Castle

Blaine Castle or Grelet Castle is a medieval fortress located in the municipality of Blaine, Loire-Atlantique. The castle is located on the edge of the Nantes to Brest canal. The castle was built in the thirteenth century, and in the sixteenth century it was greatly changed through reconstruction. Blaine Castle is a historical monument. The first castle was commissioned by Alain Ferjan IV, Duke of Brittany, in 1108. Later, the fortress falls into the Clisson family through a dynastic marriage.

The architecture of the castle is reminiscent of the defensive structures of the Middle Ages. Previously it had twelve towers and occupied an area of ​​about four hectares. By order of Cardinal Richelieu, part of the castle was dismantled in 1628, but the ruins leave a lasting impression: a tower, a bridge over a moat, an iron horse protecting the bridge, Renaissance dormer windows with high pinnacles, gargoyles and brick fireplaces with intricate designs.

The castle suffered particularly serious damage during the French Revolution, when its premises were used as barracks and prisons. All that remains of the chapel, built in the sixteenth century, is the crypt. In 1918, the writer Marie Bonaparte took possession of the castle and completely rebuilt the northern wing.

Since 1977, Blaine Castle has been purchased by the state. Nowadays there is a fresco workshop here, and the first floor of the castle is occupied by a restaurant.

Chambord Castle

Chambord Castle is the largest palace complex in the Loire Valley. Its length is 160 meters, height – 56. The structure contains 426 rooms and 90 of them are currently open to visitors. The castle is located on the territory of a huge park in Paris with an area of ​​5,440 hectares and is surrounded by a wall 32 kilometers long.

The idea to build a castle belonged to King Francis the First, and construction began in 1519. In order to make the castle special, the king wanted to change the flow of the Loire River. Chambord is rightfully considered the most famous castle among the wide variety of castles in this valley. This building amazes with its sophistication and splendor. You will have to spend more than one hour on a tour here.

From the very gates to the spiers, this Renaissance masterpiece delights with its size and grandeur. Before the construction of Versailles, Chambord was considered the most extravagant and most beautiful castle in France. The park around the castle looks more like a forest. Until now, the local nobility periodically organizes hunts in these places.

Ge Pean Castle

The castle of Gue-Pean is one of the wonderful examples of castles in the Loire Valley. It is located in a small wooded valley, its architecture tells the story of 2000 years of history: first on this site there was a Roman camp, then a medieval fortress, from which a stone bridge and several nearby ditches remain. During the Renaissance, Ge-Pean turned into a full-fledged castle.

The most beautiful and elegant decoration can be seen in the tall tower with a tiled roof in the shape of a bell, called the Imperial tower. In the castle you can admire the vaulted galleries, as well as magnificent pilasters on the windows.

Inside the castle there is a chapel, a library and rooms, one of which contains a beautiful fireplace created by the French sculptor Germain Pilon, whose residence is the famous palace. There is also a room containing a scale model of the castle.

Cheverny Castle

Cheverny Castle, located in the city of the same name in the French department of Loir-et-Cher, is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The construction of the castle from 1624 to 1650 was led by the famous architect Jacques Bougier. This medieval building in the late Renaissance style, made of white stone with high windows, symmetrical lines and bas-reliefs on the facade, is still the private property of the Huro family, descendants of Philip Huro, who commissioned it to be built.

Since 1914, Cheverny Castle has been open to tourists, but continues to be the home of a large family, as several modern photographs in one of the rooms remind us of, the interior of which has remained intact since its construction. Everything here is reminiscent of the 17th century - furniture, portraits of the castle owners painted by the best painters of France, interior decorative elements. Cheverny Castle currently operates as a medieval museum. On its territory there is a kennel, famous throughout the area, whose residents do not sit idle, since the owners often organize hound hunts in the nearby forests.

Gulen Castle

Not far from the town of Haut-Gullen there is a 16th-century castle, which represents the entire brilliant series of castles in the Loire Valley - the castle of Goulen. And although it belongs geographically to Brittany, outwardly it differs from the castles of this province. Granite here has been replaced with limestone, and there are a lot of architectural buildings of decorative nature. The castle was not destroyed and plundered during the French Revolution, because since its creation it belonged to almost the same family. Therefore, not only architectural buildings have been preserved, but even furniture and interiors.

The castle was founded before the thousandth year AD, but most of the building was built at the end of the 15th century. In 1788, the Marquis de Goulen was forced to sell the castle with all its vineyards and winery to a certain Dutch banker. The Gulen family only regained control of the castle in 1858.

Of particular interest in Gulen Castle is the architectural design of the castle. The reception rooms in the upper floors of the castle are decorated with incredible luxury, which is undoubtedly unique in the Loire Valley. The castle houses the famous “house of tropical butterflies”. In the huge greenhouse, thousands of magnificent tropical butterflies fly freely around visitors. And all this is surrounded by rare plants. The unique vaulted cellar, built more than a thousand years ago, deserves special attention.

And today, like many centuries ago, the Gulen family is one of the most ancient families involved in wine production. The Goulen Castle winery is a historical monument and is considered one of the oldest existing in the world.

Sachet Castle

Sachet Castle, located in the commune of the same name in the French province of Indre-et-Loire, on the banks of the Indre River, was built in the 16th century on the site of a 12th-century fortress in the Renaissance style of gray stone with 4 floors. Since then, a cylindrical Romanesque tower and moats have been preserved, which have now dried up. Over the centuries, the building was rebuilt several times.

In the 18th-19th centuries, the castle was owned by the family of Jean de Margon, who was close friends with the father of the famous novelist Honore de Balzac. From 1829 to 1837, the writer lived in a small room on the second floor of the castle. It was here that such stories as “Père Goriot”, “Maestro Cornelio”, “Louis Lambert”, “Caesar Birotto” were written. From here Balzac wrote many letters to his acquaintances. In 1951, the Balzac Museum was opened in the Sachet castle. His collection includes not only personal items, but also numerous manuscripts, publications and a large collection of ancient icons. In 1983, Sachet was included in the list of historical monuments of France under state protection.

Castle of Plessis-Bourret

The castle of Plessis-Bourret, located in the French department of Maine-et-Loire, is considered one of the most magnificent castles in the famous Loire Valley. It was built from 1462 to 1472 by the treasurer of King Louis XI, Jean Bourret, who acquired these lands as private property. The castle is a small fortress, a large rectangle with four corner towers, standing right on the river bank. According to the owner, in addition to its defensive function, the castle had to be suitable for comfortable living, which was taken care of by the best architects of the country.

During the First and Second World Wars, the castle of Plessis-Bourret was used by local authorities as a hospital and embassy. The interiors of the castle, opened to tourists in 1955, are of great interest, as they have been preserved in their original form from the Middle Ages. A special attraction of the Château de Plessis-Bourret is the guardhouse with its wooden ceiling painted on the themes of fairy tales, proverbs and allegories.

Castle Les Ludes

The Château Le Lude, located in the commune of the same name in the French department of Sarthe, has a long history. The first building on the site of the modern castle appeared in the 10th century thanks to the famous Counts of Anjou, who built a powerful stone fortification instead of a wooden fort. In front of the castle, on the banks of the Loire River, a defensive pier was built. During the Hundred Years' War, Le Lud Castle was surrounded several times and partially destroyed.

Currently, the castle, which has been rebuilt many times, is a square fortress surrounded by six towers and wide moats. The architecture of the castle is a combination of many styles, the main one being the Renaissance style. A special role in the development of the castle as an architectural monument was played by the de Dion family, who for several centuries equipped the premises of the castle and decorated the façade of the building. Since then, stone medallions on the facades, a courtyard in the style of the “second Renaissance,” high windows and tiers of pilasters located one above the other have been preserved. Currently, the castle of Les Ludes is the private property of the Countess de Nicolai.

Castle of Losches

The castle of Losches was built at the beginning of the 11th century by Fulk Nerra. The palace, which is 36 meters high, is now considered one of the most impressive buildings of the Norman period. The castle is a fine example of military architecture. It was previously a prison; the most famous prisoner of Losches Castle was Ludwig Sforza, Duke of Milan.

The Royal Apartments of the Castle of Loches are a clear example of the French Renaissance. The terraced façade overlooks the historic city and the Indre Valley. The castle is marked by such famous women in French history as Joan of Arc, Agnes Sorel and Anne of Brittany. Every year this place attracts many tourists from different parts of the world.

Amboise Castle

The majestic white stone castle in Amboise was built in the 16th century as a defensive fortress. Its owners - the influential Amboise family - lost their possession after being accused of betraying the king. The castle went into the state treasury, which later allowed Charles VIII to make it a royal residence. At the same time, the reconstruction of the castle began.

In 1515, the artist Leonardo da Vinci came here at the invitation of the royal person. Here he finishes La Gioconda and dies in 1519. His grave is in the castle chapel.

During the French Revolution, most of the castle was destroyed and looted. He is now recovering. The castle is open to the public. There are excursions and various events, including at night. For a reasonable fee, anyone can feel like a guest of a castle in the Renaissance.

Like most historical museum sites in France, the castle in Amboise is adapted for people with disabilities. For children under 7 years old and children from large families, admission is free.

Carey Castle

The Chateau de Careil is a French fortified mansion in the town of Guerande, Loire-Atlantique department. Built in the 14th century, and expanded in the 15th-16th centuries. Initially it served a protective function, as evidenced by the jagged curtain. The castle was a place of worship for Protestants in the area. Carey Castle boasts its turbulent history. To this day, traces of the religious wars of the 15th century are visible on it, and since it was owned by Protestants, it was repeatedly subjected to crushing attacks by the Catholic League. And in 1699 the castle finally passed into the hands of Catholics.

There are some details left from medieval military architecture that can be studied - the defensive belt of walls, the remains of a moat. From the Renaissance, sculptural decorations typical of the architecture of that time remained. In general, the castle of Carey is considered a typical example of the Breton architectural Renaissance.

Nowadays, the Castle of Carey is known in France for its innovative approach to the field of tourism services. It offers the following activities and entertainment: a classic castle tour, an "Ah, What an Adventure" tour which includes a swordsman show, and a candlelight walk through the castle. You can also spend your child’s birthday here. The owner will take the children through the castle, filled with surprises, show sword fights, and have a feast in one of the castle halls. Thematic excursions for adults on military and historical topics are especially popular.

Verreri Castle

Verrerie Castle is one of the castles built by the descendants of John Stuart. The building received this name at the end of the 15th century, since there was a glass factory on its site, which translated into French means Verrerie. It is made in the Renaissance style, its windows overlook forest and meadow landscapes. Now the castle is in the possession of the Vogüet family and is one of the obligatory points of the excursion route along the Loire Valley.

Throughout history, the land and castle passed through different owners: John Stewart, the Duchess of Portsmouth Louise-Renée de Keroual and finally the Vogüet family, who received it in 1840. The latter carried out major restoration work on the structure in the 19th century, which made the castle not only elegant in appearance, but also exquisite in its interior decoration.

The highlight of the castle is the chapel, the walls of which are painted with images of the apostles and martyrs. Its vault is decorated with medallions of representatives of the Stuart family. After the restoration, a portrait of one of the representatives of the Vogüe family, who made a great contribution to the historical castle, appeared on the walls of the chapel. Dreamy nature spreads around the structure. All that surrounds it is forest and meadows.

Castle La Bussière

The castle of La Bussienne is located on the Vernisson reservoir in the city of the same name in France. It is one of the most visited castles in the Loire Valley, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1962, it was opened to visitors by the Chaiswal couple. The castle houses a collection of fishing art. The building was named after this.

All the interior design of the building is based on the theme of fishing. The kitchen, pantry, and living rooms are all furnished with fish trophies and decorated with paintings of fish. In the corners of the rooms there are sculptures featuring fish, fishing gear, and so on. The unique museum also displays folk art such as ceramics, glass and much more from past times.

Today, La Bussienne Castle is constantly open to visitors, who can explore the colorful greenhouses, well-kept stables and a cozy small park, as if created for romantic walks.

Castle of Anne of Brittany in Nantes

The castle of Anne of Brittany is located in the city of Nantes, on the banks of the Loire River, on the site of an ancient Gallo-Roman fortress. According to historical data, it was founded in the 13th century. Large-scale construction of the castle began in the 15th century. In 1488, Anne of Brittany, the most popular ruler of Brittany and the first princess in Europe to wear a white dress on her wedding day, was born here. Previously, white clothing was considered mourning.

The real name of the castle is “Castle of the Breton Kings in Nantes”. However, this place is most often associated with Anne, the only woman who became Queen of France twice. In 1491, she married the French king Charles VIII, and just 7 years later she was widowed. The new king of France, Louis XII, a distant relative of Anna's late husband, proposed to her. And she became the wife of the monarch for the second time.

The majestic snow-white castle in the center of Nantes is the oldest city building. At various times it served as a military fortress, a royal residence, a barracks, a military warehouse, and a prison. Now it houses a museum that houses real treasures. In 1862 it was recognized as a historical monument. After World War II, during which the fascist occupiers built a bunker in the castle, the building was restored over the course of 15 years.

The castle is equipped with a modern façade lighting system, turning the castle into a real fairy-tale place.

Castle of Fougères-sur-Bievre

The castle of Fougères-sur-Bièvre is one of the castles of the Loire Valley, located on the banks of the Bievre River. It was built by Pierre de Refuge, the treasurer at the court of Louis XI, on the site of a defensive fortress destroyed during the Hundred Years' War by the troops of Prince Edward III of Wales. After the battle, only the dungeons remained, which needed minor restoration. The building is made in the style of medieval castles.

The construction of the castle was completed by Jean de Vilbresme. In 1789, the palace came into the possession of Rene Lambeau, whose descendants opened a spinning mill inside the building, which operated until 1890. Restoration of the castle began in 1932 under the leadership of the state.

Today, the building is the best example of medieval buildings, since its appearance has remained almost unchanged, despite the dominance of the Renaissance. The towers cut with narrow loopholes, the massive building made of sandstone bricks, the heavy and low arches of the courtyard, the enclosed courtyard and much more point specifically to the Middle Ages.

The furniture and other interior details have not survived to this day, but inside the castle you can visit an exhibition dedicated to the peculiarities of fortification, aimed at children.

Castle of Azay-le-Rideau

The Castle of Azay-le-Rideau, located in the commune of the same name in the French department of Indre-et-Loire, is considered a masterpiece of the French Renaissance. The first fortress on the site of the castle was built in the 12th century and was an important defensive structure on the Indre River. The fortress was destroyed in 1418 by the army of the future king Charles VII for an insult inflicted on him by the owner of the castle, the Duke of Burgundy. The modern castle was built in 1510 by the new owner, treasurer of King Francis I, Gilles Verthelot.

The facades of the castle are divided by friezes and pilasters and decorated with pediments. The building, made of gray stone, is crowned with pointed turrets. The decoration of the building is an Italian-style staircase with straight flights, three loggias and lush decorations. The interiors of the castle, which have survived to this day, are richly decorated with sculptures, Flemish tapestries, antique furniture and portraits of royalty. All this has been open to visitors since 1905, when the castle was acquired by the French government.

Langeais Castle

Lange Castle began its history in the tenth century, when its first stone was laid by Count Fulk the Black. The fortress was built on a steep cliff. Under Fulk, the fortress looked more like a stone manor. Everything changed with the advent of Richard the Lionheart to the throne. It was during the reign of the legendary king that Lange Castle was expanded enough to fulfill its main functions.

The oldest surviving French fortress has seen many wars and battles. In 1206, Langeais Castle was captured by Philip II, and during the Hundred Years' War it was severely damaged during sieges by the British.

The appearance in which the castle has survived to this day was finally formed under Louis XI. Interestingly, Lange Castle is one of the few castles that has fully retained the functionality of its drawbridge.

Castle of the Dukes of Breton

Externally, the residence of the Breton Dukes, located in the Loire River valley, resembles a classic medieval castle - high walls, six powerful towers, deep ditches. The outer walls were significantly strengthened in 1466 by Francis II, who in every possible way sought to preserve the independence of Brittany from France. However, this failed - his daughter Anne of Brittany became the wife of the French king Charles VIII, and the castle gradually lost its military functions. In 1598, the Edict of Nantes was signed by King Henry IV at the castle. During the bourgeois revolution, a prison and an arsenal were located in the castle, and in 1800, a disaster occurred - some of the buildings were badly damaged by a powerful explosion in the arsenal. The complex of castle buildings includes several buildings, some of which existed until the end of the 18th century. On the façade of one of the remaining buildings, the Grand Lodge, you can see a coat of arms symbolizing the annexation of Brittany to France. Along part of the fortress walls there is a walking route with a visit to the medieval tower "Golden Crown". There is a well preserved in the courtyard, decorated with ducal heraldic symbols.

Mayenne Castle

In France there is a small department of Mayenne. There are many electrical factories here, and excellent fabrics and clothing are also made in these places. And the area is a chessboard: sandy landscapes alternate here with fertile fields, pastures, and apiaries. The medieval castle of Mayenne is located in this department. It was founded in the eighth century, during the reign of Charlemagne, and served to protect Brittany from Maine.

At first the castle was built of wood, and in 920 it was rebuilt in stone. It included a rectangular main building of two floors and a square tower. During the French Revolution, the castle was used to house prisoners, and after certain alterations, two courts were placed here, one for men and the other for women. This was done in order to delimit the space for men and women.

The castle is one of the archaeological sites of the Loire and is the subject of research on the height of the masonry. It was proven that the castle, preserved on three levels, was a defensive structure.

Castles of Loire

The Loire castles are one of the main attractions of the Loire Valley. The Loire divides France into south and north. The French kings, having fallen in love with this area for its climate and landscape, turned the Loire Valley into

the heart of the kingdom in the 15th and 16th centuries. Before turning into luxurious palaces of the French court, future masterpieces of the Renaissance were only defensive in nature.

Each of the 40 castles is important in its own way: the walls of some castles received high-ranking guests, others saw the life and death of great people, others witnessed the signing of important documents, others saw nothing, but are just as stunningly beautiful.

The most famous castles of the Loire Valley: Fontainebleau, Chaumont-on-Loire, Beauregard, Brassier, Valencey, Chaverny, Meillan, Usse, Sully, Chenonceau, Monsoreau, Angers, Chinon, Lange, Le Lude, La Flèche, Chambord, Pons, Azay Le Rideau, Luyn, Azay Le Ferron, Losches, Montresor, Blois, La Bretèche, Vitre, Le Rocher, Brissac, Montreuil-Belle, Amboise, Huaron, Chateaubriand, Goulain and Laval

The extraordinary energy of the Middle Ages, fabulous excursions to the surrounding villages, delicious French cuisine make a trip to the Loire Castles attractive for both tourists and local residents

Dunois Castle

The Castle of Dunois, located in the small town of Beaugency in central France, was built of gray stone in the Romanesque style in 1440 with characteristic loopholes, a watchtower and a tower surrounded by arches of the same shape and size, supported by columns or pillars. It was built by order of Jean de Dunois, a famous military leader during the Hundred Years' War, who fought hand in hand with Joan of Arc. He married Maria d'Harcourt, became lord of the city of Beaugency and the castle was his place of residence for about 20 years.

For 3 centuries, the castle, until the aristocratic families were persecuted after the revolution, was the possession of the descendants of Jean de Dunois. Then the homeless lived here in a shelter created by the local authorities, the sick were treated in a sanatorium, and currently the castle houses the “Regional Museum of Arts and Traditions of Orleans”, on three floors of which there is a collection of exhibits characterizing the life and customs of the inhabitants of Beaugency and located in the 20- Thirty kilometers from here Orleans.

In the museum you can also get acquainted with the life and work of the founder of mass literature - writer Eugene Sue. The medieval interior has been preserved only on the second floor in the main part of the building.

Castle of Saint-Loup-sur-Thouais

The castle of Saint-Loup-sur-Thouet is located in the municipality of Saint-Loup-Lamere in the department of De Sèvres, France. The castle is private property, here you can rent rooms like in a hotel.

The first part of the castle was built in the 11th century by Lord Drogo. The second and larger part of the castle dates back to the 17th century; it was restored and completed by representatives of the wealthy noble family of Gufier. The Castle of Saint-Aignan is one of the best examples of architecture of this period in France.

One of the square towers of the castle, dating from the 14th century, housed King John II of France when he was captured after the Battle of Poitiers. Edward the Black Prince was also stationed here. The H shape of the building was chosen in honor of King Henry IV of France. In the 1980s, the castle of Saint-Loup-sur-Thouet belonged to Jean-Jacques Debou and Chantal Goya.

Chamerol Castle

The Chateau de Chamerol is an architectural building located in the Woods of Orleans, near streams and lakes. Designed in the Louis XII style with two-tone brickwork, three wings, and towers decorating the walls. All this is presented in a quadrangular symmetrical shape. The castle is famous for its museum dedicated to the history of the creation of perfumes and its green, enchanting park in the Renaissance style.

A wide ditch filled with water has been dug around the Chamerol castle, through which a stone bridge leads to the central entrance. In the left wing there is a gallery, which has some similarities with the gallery of the castle of Blois. On the right is a museum of the history of the creation of perfumes. In the latter, the visitor will be able to view each stage of the creation of new perfumes, from the 15th century to the present day. The museum exhibits both women's and men's perfumes.

In the park located on the castle grounds, a wide variety of medicinal and aromatic plants grow, as well as rare boxwood. Green labyrinths of bushes interest even young visitors, and the view from the windows attracts all couples in love.

Castle of Chaumont-sur-Loire

The history of Chaumont-sur-Loire dates back to the 15th century, when the first wooden castle was built on this site, which, however, stood for a relatively short time, since its owner Pierre d'Amboise had the imprudence to fall out of favor with King Louis XI, who As an edification to others, this castle was demolished in 1465. The owner of the castle decided that even such an unpleasant act of the king could play into his hands, and began the construction of a new stone citadel in the same place, surrounded on each side by high round towers.It is still unknown, Did Pierre d'Amboise manage to establish relations with Louis XI during the construction of the new castle, or did the stonework turn out to be stronger than before, but Chaumont-sur-Loire has survived to this day, and after restoration work this castle looks simply impeccable. In the 16th century, this palace was bought by Catherine de Medici herself, and the room where she lived is still accessible to visitors.

Chenonceau Castle

The delightful Chateau de Chenonceau is located on the Cher River. Its history begins in 1243, when the de Mark family settled on these lands. Initially, the castle was heavily fortified, but de Mark had the imprudence to place an English garrison on the territory of his estate. Upon learning of this, the French king ordered the demolition of all defensive fortifications.

In 1512, the castle went to Thomas Boyer, who turned out to be a big fan of the Renaissance architectural style. By order of Boyer, all the previous buildings were demolished, and a large construction project began on their foundations. By coincidence, the construction work was managed by Boyer’s wife, and Thomas himself often found himself traveling on duty and died in Italy. Throughout its subsequent history, Chenonceau Castle belonged to noble ladies, including royalty.

Lavout-Polignac Castle

Lavout-Polignac Castle, located in the famous French Loire Valley, on the banks of the Loire River, is considered one of the most ancient castles in France. This imposing building of gray volcanic stone was built around the 12th century as a defensive fortress, as evidenced by the shape of the loophole windows and the location on which it is located - on a high river bank among bushes and forests.

In the 18th century, the castle of Lavoute-Polignac was acquired by the famous French statesman Viscount de Polignac; his mother, the Duchess de Polignac, a close associate of Queen Marie Antoinette, lived here. By his order, the castle, named after him, was rebuilt in the Renaissance style, but the main part of the building still reminds of the times when it served to protect the country.

In the castle you can see Renaissance fireplaces and tapestries from the time of the first owner. From the ground floor terraces, located 45 meters above the Loire River, there is a beautiful view of the coastal area, where sheep graze peacefully and river herons stroll. The castle still belongs to the descendants of the Viscount de Polignac.

Angers Castle

Angers Castle is a majestic medieval defensive structure of irregular shape on the embankment of the River Maine. The fortress was built in the 11th century on the site of an already existing wooden fortification. From the beginning of the 12th to the end of the 16th century, the castle was surrounded by a massive stone wall with 17 round towers in the Gothic style, which in 1574 were demolished to the level of the walls by order of Henry III and were never restored.

By the way, during the Second World War, the citadel was practically not used, and therefore came to us in good condition. The famous tapestries "Angers Apocalypse", dating back to the 14th century, deserve special attention. A total of 64 tapestries have survived. In the courtyard there is a small Gothic palace, a chapel and a picturesque mini-park. Tours of the Chateau are offered daily throughout the year.

Montgeoffroy Castle

Montgeoffroy Castle, located in the French department of Maine-et-Loire, is considered one of the few castles in the Loire Valley that has preserved medieval interiors. It was built of white sandstone in 1776 in the form of a horseshoe in the Renaissance style with its inherent clear lines, sculptures on the pediments, commissioned by the Marshal of France, the Marquis de Contade, who served under Louis XV.

The interiors of the castle were made by the best craftsmen of the country, as evidenced by the inventory carried out recently. All panels, paintings, tapestries are in the very places where they were during the time of the first owner. The castle of Montgeoffroy was saved from the revolutionaries by local residents who respected the Marquis de Contada. The castle still belongs to the descendants of the marquis.

Valence Castle

Valence Castle, located in the French commune of the same name in the famous Loire Valley, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. On the site of the modern castle, there was a fortress from the 12th to the 16th centuries. In 1540, the family of the famous French financier Etampes, who bought these lands, demolished the fortress and built a building of white stone using elements of two styles: Renaissance and classicism. The building is a powerful square tower surrounded by two-story turrets with elegant windows, a covered parapet and a mezzanine. The main building is connected by galleries with two western and one eastern towers on the sides.

The most famous owner of the Valence Castle is considered to be the Minister of Foreign Affairs under Napoleon Bonaparte - Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand, Prince of Benevent, who tastefully arranged the interiors of the castle, which he acquired in 1803, in the Empire style with vaulted enfilades painted by the best artists of France of that time. For more than 150 years, Valence Castle belonged to the descendants of Talleyrand. During World War II, one of them managed to save such Louvre treasures as the Venus de Milo and the Nike of Samothrace from destruction in the estate.

An English-style park was laid out around the castle at the beginning of the 20th century. Here you can see the forest of princes, a Chinese bridge, a Turkish pavilion and a chessboard of 66 flower squares separated by 30 alleys. Since 1979, the castle has been owned by the Association of Historical Castles of France. There is a museum of vintage cars on the premises, and llamas, peacocks and other exotic animals stroll through the park.

Mott Glen Castle

Castles are one of the main attractions of the Loire Valley. There are more than 40 of them. They are superbly preserved witnesses of the history of France.

Motte Glen Castle was built in the early fifteenth century in the town of La Chapelle Glen by Pierre de Rohan. As with the vast majority of medieval castles, its primary purpose was a defensive function. In the seventeenth century, the heirs of the first owner of the castle significantly rebuilt it, and it began to more closely resemble a residential estate.

The castle consists of a pavilion, which was built surrounded by two round towers. One of the towers had a storage room, and the other was intended for a press. The majestic residential building, the windows of which are decorated with Renaissance sculptures of the fifteenth century, delights tourists with its original appearance. And in the chapel there were frescoes from the sixteenth century. The castle is a fine example of late fifteenth century architecture. Everything in Mott Glen is built from locally sourced materials. The castle represents the majesty of the Renaissance.

Some parts of the castle have been classified as a historical monument since July 6, 1929.

La Ferte Castle

La Ferte Castle is a former Cistercian abbey, founded in 1113 under the leadership of Stephen Harding, abbot of the Cistercians. It is considered the first daughter monastery of the Order of Sito. As a result of the capture of the monastery by the Huguenot troops of Admiral Coligny, most of the buildings were destroyed and the monastery lands were sold off. In 1760, the abbey was rebuilt into a rich palace. Now it is owned by a private person, and an interesting excursion route has been laid along its corridors.

The entire building is divided into two parts, one of which is intended for the monks, and the second for the abbot. The rooms are furnished with monastic chairs, the walls are decorated with carpets, a bust of the last abbot of La Farte, and various paintings bearing sacred thoughts. In the abbot's living room there is a bust of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, you can also see bas-reliefs on biblical motifs, staffs, crosses, canvases and much more.

The largest staircase in Burgundy is built at La Farte Castle. And in one part of the building you can see portraits of all the owners of the former monastery. Today the castle is home to the family of Jacques Thénard, who support its fortunes through tourism and agriculture.

Montrichard Castle

Montrichard Castle is a dilapidated 11th-century castle located in the heart of the municipality of Montrichard, Loir-et-Char department, France. Despite the fact that the castle is partially destroyed, it still attracts tourists from all over the world.

The castle is the property of the municipality and has been included in the list of historical monuments of France since 1877. The castle currently houses a museum containing various exhibits from rare coins to vehicles of the time.

Montrichard Castle was built by Fulk Nerra, Count of Anjou, and in the second half of the 12th century was destroyed as a result of numerous wars between the kings of England and France. By order of Henry IV, the structure was dismantled in 1589. From the upper terrace of the castle there is a beautiful view of the city of Montrichard and the Cher Valley.

Castle of Sully-sur-Loire

The Castle of Sully-sur-Loire is a medieval castle of the Loire Valley, which is located on the left bank of the river and throughout history has been considered the “Castle of the four trade routes”: water and three land ones. The date of construction of the building is unknown, but it was first mentioned in chronicles at the beginning of the 12th century.

The creators of the castle are the family of barons Sully - the heirs of the ancient Roman dictator Sulla, who built a crossing across the river, for the use of which they took money. In 1218, by order of Philip Augustus, a high tower was added to the castle, and a barnyard with a dungeon was created. After some time, Cardinal Mazarin and Anna of Austria were hiding in the defensive castle.

This castle can also be noted for the fact that in the 18th century the poet and philosopher Voltaire stayed within its walls, seeking refuge from the Regent because of his satirical works. Since 1962, the Château de Sully-sur-Loire has been owned by the state and is open to the public. It attracts tourists with its unusual interior and the Psyche Hall. The latter contains interesting tapestries that tell the story of Psyche, Cupid and Venus.

Pornic Castle

In the French department of Loire-Atlantique there is a small town - the resort of Pornic. It is located just 45 minutes from Nantes, on the Atlantic coast. The city is known for its old port, gorgeous beaches and castle. Pornic Castle, also known as "Duke Bluebeard's Castle", belonged to Gilles de Rais and has long been a symbol of the city. It was located on the northern shore of the port and guarded the entrance to the old port.

Portnik Castle was built in the 10th century from wood. In the 12th century, its owners rebuilt it in stone and made it into a defensive fortress. It acquired the appearance it has now in the 19th century, after complete restoration in the spirit of Italian architecture.

If stones could talk, then surely the walls of the elegant castle in Pornic could tell many terrible stories. The castle belonged to the French Marshal Gilles de Rais, who took part in the battle with the Duke of Orleans, was promoted and returned to the family estate. In the castle, the marshal began experiments with black magic, locked hundreds of children in his castle and sacrificed them to demons. And only after committing over a hundred murders was he exposed, and he was executed - burned alive.

Noirmoutier Castle

Noirmoutier-en-l-Île or simply Noirmoutier is a resort settlement in the northern part of the French island of the same name, in the Vendée department. The city itself grew up around a monastery founded in 674. To defend against Viking raids, the monks built fortifications, on the basis of which the Noirmoutier castle was erected - one of the most impregnable on the Atlantic coast of France. During its history, it withstood many sieges, but was taken by the Dutch admiral Tromp.

This castle is well preserved and clearly demonstrates twelfth century architecture. It is built of rubble and has three parts, the last of which contains a stately home. The turret, located in the center of the hull, is solid and rectangular. It has many loopholes and defensive turrets in the corners. The gate also has similar turrets at the corners. What remains of the Benedictine monastery of St. Philibert is the Romanesque church, which was extensively rebuilt after a fire in 1848.

The castle is famous for the fact that in 1832 the French inventor Villeroy first tested his submarine here. Now the Noirmoutier castle with its dungeon, courtyard, and building is classified as one of the historical monuments of France. There are always a lot of tourists here. And since 1993, music and theater festivals have been held in August.

Chateaubriand Castle

The ancient feudal fortress of Chateaubriand, the name of which consists of two words - “chateau”, which means castle, and “Brian” - the family name of its original owner, was built by the governor of Brittany, Jean de Laval, who lived during the reign of King Francis the First. There is an inscription on the colonnade that dates the completion of construction to 1538.

Chateau de Chateaubriand is a medieval castle, greatly modified during the Renaissance, located in the Loire-Atlantique. The original castle was founded in the 11th century on the eastern border of Brittany and served as a fortress. During various wars it was partially destroyed; it acquired its final appearance only in the 16th century, when a new Renaissance palace was built. After the French Revolution, the castle was sold several times and turned into premises for the court, police, and administrative center. After 1970, all these offices are closed and the castle is partially open to visitors.

A chilling legend is associated with this castle. As it says, the mistress of Francis the First, Countess Chateaubriand, was brutally murdered in the castle by her jealous and old husband. A lot of tourists, those who love mysticism and tickle their nerves, arrive at the castle on the night of October 16-17 - the day of the countess's death, in order to watch from the windows of nearby houses as the ghost of the countess wanders around the castle with a candle in her hands.

Castle of Ussé

In 1485, the castle became the property of the d’Epinay family for 40,000 gold ecus, and the new owners made their own adjustments to the construction and layout of the castle. They removed the west wing, which blocked the view of the Loire, built an Italian drawing room and equipped the royal apartments. But this castle went down in history as a place where none of the French kings stayed, although the royal chambers were ready to receive them at any moment.

Today this castle almost completely preserves the furnishings of the time in which it was built. Many rooms contain exhibits from that period. The royal bedroom is still furnished in the Gothic style of the 13th century, and all the furniture in the castle is a rarity and has great historical value.

As expected, there is a small park in front of the castle, which today retains its original layout. The castle has its own small chapel and garden, and to get to the castle you need to cross a small stone bridge over the Indre River.

Freteval Castle

Freteval Castle is another castle among the Loire Castles, located in the municipality of Freteval, Loire et Cher. The castle territory occupies about 5 hectares, it has three lines of defense, as well as a real stone dungeon.

Initially, the castle was a military facility. His first fortress was built on the site of the partially preserved ruins of the Carolingian fortified settlement of Saint Victor. The circular stone dungeons of Freteval Castle were probably built before the start of the First Crusade under the leadership of Count of Blois, Stephen II.

Freteval Castle attracts tourists every year due to its beauty and history. Next to the castle there is an old town with well-preserved houses. It is surprising that, despite the massiveness of the stone building, the castle is characterized by sophistication and comfort in the residential floors.

Sights of the Loire Valley

The route to the Loire castles is accessible to people of all ages; the whole family can go on a trip. In the mists of time, an abundance of magnificent historical monuments were born that belonged to noble families of France.

How to get to the castles

Excursions from Paris to the stone pages of history allow you to explore the specifics of different eras. You can visit the castles of the Loire on your own thanks to year-round flights from Moscow to Paris. Air France planes fly with transfers at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

When researching how to get to the famous palaces, you should pay attention to bus route No. 13 and the RER Paris line. You can travel by train departing from one of the train stations in Paris: Montparnasse, Austerlitz.

Tourists, knowing where the Loire castles are located on the map, rent luxury cars. When going on a trip, they get acquainted with the work of post offices, banks, and shops, which in the province are closed on certain days of the week.

You can spend several days exploring the castle of Sully-sur-Loire, so travelers make reservations in advance at 5-star hotels located in ancient residences or abbeys. Tourists can use the services of a restaurant, a swimming pool, and go horseback riding.

The best jewelry of the Middle Ages

In the center of the Loire Valley there are many famous nature reserves, lakes and ponds. Chambord is an ancient fortress designed to protect against enemies. A trip to the castles of the Loire will allow tourists to get acquainted with the wood and earth fortifications that surrounded the fortress, large donjon towers, and defensive positions. Vacationers admire the formidable appearance of the Chambord fortress, but the thickness of its walls is insignificant, and the shelling zone is more reminiscent of a movie set.

France is proud of the wine region located in the valley. The best varieties of sunny berries are used to create white, pink, semi-dry drinks. High-quality Loire Valley wines are produced in the historical province of Touraine, the Anjou region and the Saumur district. The best varieties of berries are grown in the central part of the Loire River valley. Tourists note the sophistication and excellent taste of white Sancerre wine. Noble drinks such as Cabernet Franc, Grollo, Gamay, and Cote are produced on the territory of Anjou.

Expert opinion

Knyazeva Victoria

Guide to Paris and France

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Winemaking is a profitable sector of the French economy. The palaces located in the river valley were the country residence of the kings of the Valois dynasty; they were visited by Honore de Balzac, Catherine de Medici, Voltaire (François Marie Arouet), and Jean Jacques Rousseau.

Ladies' Corner

France is rich in luxurious mansions, but the Chenonceau Palace is the pinnacle of architecture. It stands on stilts embedded in the ground at the bottom of the river. The castles of the Loire Valley are very beautiful, and the Chenonceau fortress is a unique architectural solution. It is very popular in France. Every year about 1,000,000 tourists come here from all over the world.

The high artistic perfection of the Chenonceau Palace was created according to the designs of the king's favorite, Diane de Poitiers. The castle amazes tourists with the luxurious decoration of its rooms. There are paintings by masters of Flemish painting on the walls; furniture and porcelain items attract the attention of visitors. The Chenonceau fortress is decorated with a bridge equipped with a large two-tier gallery. When leaving the palace, tourists see a salon in which meetings of the philosophical club were held.

The Loire Valley is famous for its wonderful Château de Cheverny. Pavilions, fountains, marble and bronze statues have been preserved on its territory. The artistic merits of the fortress have ensured its important place in French history. From the observation deck of the tower there is a wide view of the Loire River, and from the lower terrace the entire palace ensemble is clearly visible. Excursion tours “Castles of the Loire - Paris” are very popular among tourists and allow you to enjoy the beauty of the Middle Ages.

Second capital of France

Having bought a train ticket from Paris to Orleans, you can stop in the city of Blois, which was the residence of powerful counts. An additional uniqueness of the fortress is given by the preserved household items of the kings of the Valois dynasty - Henry III and Francis I. In the photo in the guidebooks you can see the initials of the owners of the palace - Anne of Brittany, Charles VIII, Louis XII. The fortress of the Counts of Blois has long demonstrated the power of the rulers of France. She was the center of a conspiracy against Henry of Orleans and a witness to the death of Catherine de Medici.

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 developed. The natives of these places were Francois Rabelais and Pierre Ronsari Honore Balzac. Here, François Villon and Victor Hugo, Stendhal and Jules Verne, Oscar Wilde, George Sand and Charles Perrault drew their inspiration to write new works.

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

Traditionally, 42 castles are called castles of the Loire (although English Wikipedia mentions as many as 300). Let's look at a few of the most famous ones.

Chenonceau Castle (Chateau de Chenonceau) is unique for its original location on the Cher River, as well as for its destiny. He was loved, cherished and protected by women such as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de' Medici. These days, Chenonceau Castle is the second most visited castle in France after
Versailles.

Valencay Castle (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 whom it was acquired by Napoleon in 1803.

The castle of Azay-le-Rideau (Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau), built on an island in the middle of the Indre River, in its present form was built during the reign of Francis I by the wealthy financier Gilles Berthelot, who wanted to implement Italian innovations in French architecture. Surrounded by greenery, lock
washed by the waters of the Endra, in which its walls are reflected.

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

Chateau de Saumur is located in the town of the same name, considered the cavalry capital of France (the National Equestrian 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 sleds from the Russian "troika") and ancient toys (animals, clowns and soldiers).

Chateau de Chambord is the largest of all the 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) is recognized as the castle with the most magnificent furnishings. It is famous for its kennel and regular hound hunts. The Moulensart castle from the comics of the Belgian artist Hergé was copied from the Cheverny castle.

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

Castle of Clos Luce (Le Clos Luce) – 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 and was buried in the Amboise castle, which is located nearby and connected to the Clos-Lucé castle by an underground passage. The d'Amboise family saved Clos-Lucé from destruction during the revolution. It then became the property of the Saint-Bris family. This family has preserved the castle to this day. Today the Leonardo da Vinci Museum is organized in Clos Luce. In the castle and park, the universe of Leonardo da Vinci is recreated and comes to life.

The Royal Castle of Amboise (Chateau Royal D "Amboise), towering above the Loire in the city of Amboise, became a royal residence during the reign of kings Charles VIII and Francis I (late 15th - early 16th centuries). Many European artists and writers lived at the court in Amboise during the invitation of kings, like Leonardo da Vinci - here he finished La Gioconda, and here he died in 1519. The great artist, as is commonly believed, was buried in the castle chapel of St. Hubert.

Chapel where Leonardo da Vinci is buried

Chateau de Chaumont-sur-Loire is located on the estate of the same name, where there is also a landscape park with hundred-year-old cedar trees and the International Flower Festival. The sharpest and most original minds lived here - Catherine de Medici, Diane de Poitiers, Nostradamus, Ruggieri, Benjamin Franklin, Germaine de Stael, as well as the wayward Princess Broglie, who turned Chaumont-sur-Loire into a sophisticated and sophisticated residence in the French style.

Langeais Castle (Chateau de Langeais) was founded at the end of the 10th century by the Angevin Count Fulk the Black (the founder of the Plantagenet dynasty) on a cliff hanging over the Loire Valley. Castle in the 12th century
was expanded by his descendant Richard the Lionheart. Philip II Augustus recaptured Langeais from the Angevin counts in 1206, then it was partially destroyed by the British in the Hundred Years' War. The façade of the main tower, nicknamed the “donjon of Fulk the Black,” has been preserved from the building of that era; 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.

Villandry Castle (Chateau de Villandry) is located 15 km west of Tours on the D7 highway. Famous for its 3 gardens, a keep rising above the ornamental vegetable gardens (1 hectare), an ornamental garden and a garden with a pond.

Fontevraud Abbey (Abbaye de Fontevraud) is one of the largest monastic complexes in Europe, the tomb of the royal Plantagenet dynasty. Fontevraud Abbey amazes both in size and
originality. Turned into a prison by Napoleon in 1804, it escapes destruction and becomes a formidable place of detention. The last prisoners will leave it only in 1985. Today it is a Cultural Meeting Center (according to the terminology of the Ministry of Culture and Communication). The Abbey hosts concerts, conferences and exhibitions. The Abbey also encourages creativity to flourish by welcoming and housing artists.

I think it's time to diversify your trip to France and take a walk around Loire Valley or Loire Valley. I have put together a little guide for you to the 7 castles of the valley. What's interesting here: rolling hills, old wineries, wide rivers and, of course, the most famous medieval castles in France.

A long time ago, all the French nobility were concentrated in the Valley of Laura. The majestic royal palaces of France were built here in order to strengthen their dominance in this commercial and beautiful region.

By the middle of the 16th century, all high-ranking gentlemen moved to Paris so as not to waste extra time traveling to the capital and back, but the castles of the Loire continued to be built. They still decorate the landscapes of the valley to this day.

In total, there are about 80 castles in the Loire Valley, but in this article we will discuss with you only 7, but which ones! And at the same time, you will learn how to save money while exploring French chateaus.

Castles of the Loire Valley on the map

Whoever says castles of France means Castles of Loire: Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise, Blois, Cheverny, Clos-Lucé, Chaumont, Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry, Chinon, Breze, Saumur, Angers... The most exquisite and majestic castles in the world with royal cities, gardens and museums are concentrated right here, not far from Paris. It is difficult to determine which of the 42 castles are more beautiful or significant than 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 eras: from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, and, of course, the fact that they represent a precious part of the mosaic of the unique beauty and richness of the Loire River valley.

The most popular castles in the Loire Valley

Amboise

www.chateau-amboise.com/ru/

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 is erected on a hill overlooking the river, and combines a feudal character (large round towers) and the sophistication of Renaissance elements. Today, only one tenth of the area of ​​the former royal residence, which reached its heyday in the 16th century, remains of its former grandeur. In place of some of the buildings that once lined the walls, there is a large garden terrace with stunning views of the Loire River. It houses a historical collection of unique Gothic and Renaissance furniture.

After visiting the royal house, be sure to take a stroll in the picturesque gardens with Mediterranean plants, the castle gardens also offer one of the best views of the valley. Leonardo da Vinci is buried in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture from the late 15th century. 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 Amboise fortress has served as a defensive structure since Gallo-Roman times. In 1470, Charles VIII turned the castle into a luxurious residence and ordered decorations from Italy. He increased the size of the estate and organized lavish celebrations. Amboise was also the scene of the famous plot that led to the massacre of Protestants. After that bloody episode, the French monarchs no longer stayed at the castle, and it turned into a prison for Fouquet, Marshal Lauzun and Emir Abd-el-Kader.

Azay-le-Rideau

Open daily except 1.01, 1.05 and 25.12.

Adult ticket 8.50 €, discounted 5.50 €, free for under 18s.

A pearl of the early French Renaissance. Built during the reign of François I, this castle's sober architecture lacks the grandeur of Chambord and the crowds of Chenonceau. But having visited this Renaissance palace, you can understand why Balzac and Rodin valued it.

The castle of Azay was built in Touraine in the first years of the reign of Francis I and occupies a leading place in importance among the castles of the Loire Valley. Built by wealthy financier and bourgeois Gilles Berthelot, it reflects the elite's love of Italian Renaissance art. It was this building that ushered in 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 the fortress, protected by the branches of the Indre River. In the corners, above the water, there are elegant towers that remind of its owners - Philippe, Barthelot's wife, 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 qualities of a traditional French castle with its high roofs, turrets, long rows of windows and lanterns, with Italian grandeur in its layout, giving the façade symmetry. Inside the courtyard there is a luxurious staircase. Through the openwork decor you can see a park in the style of romanticism. This is how 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 water surface, the interior shines with the luxury of works of art and the richness of the interior furnishings. The large hall, where receptions and balls were held, is decorated with tapestries, and “priceless” paintings hang in the salons, library, dining room and bedchambers, including the rooms of Louis XIII.

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, on the edge of the forest of Roussy, just a few kilometers south of the city of Blois. This 60-hectare forest was once a favorite hunting ground of Francis I. The castle houses the famous “cabinet of bells,” which owes its name to the three silver bells of the jester, which is depicted on the painted ceiling. The next owner of the castle, the treasurer of Louis XIII, Paul Hardier, ordered this office to be furnished as a gallery of three hundred and sixty-three portraits: fifteen kings, from Philip VI to Louis XIII, ministers, courtiers, and celebrities. This collection, including 327 portraits, is still in place, and they gave the office another name - “Gallery of the Illustrious”. The gallery's Delft faience flooring depicts paintings of an army of infantry and cavalry dressed in full dress uniform from the era of Louis XIII.

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 landscape artist Gilles Clement. You can also see a restored glacier here.

Blois

House of magic and light show.

www.chateaudeblois.fr

Open daily except 12/25 and 1/1.

Ticket prices from 4 € to 9.50 €.

The favorite residence of French monarchs during the Renaissance, the Château de Blois is a true royal palace in the Loire River valley.

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

To demonstrate to its visitors all the stages and history of the construction of the castle, interactive 3D screens are located in the “hall of 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 d'Orléans. This concludes the new castle tour. The modern program creates a special atmosphere for visitors, as if reviving life at the court of the Renaissance. And various entertainment such as concerts, plays, shows, ancient music concerts and summer fencing tournaments immerse visitors in the history of the great Kingdom.

A unique show. Significant moments in the history of the royal castle of Blois are presented in projection on the facades of the four wings of the castle. At nightfall 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 background music during this wait begin to give a fantastic appearance to the architectural diversity of the place and create a panorama of French architecture from the 12th to the 17th. The show begins amidst sound and visual effects that reveal a colorful world of events in the royal palace, interpretations of royal symbols and stories of great personalities such as Francis I and Catherine de' Medici.

On Wednesdays there is a performance in English. Brochures have been translated into English, German, Spanish, Italian, and Dutch.

Chambord

www.chambord.org

The Chambord estate is open daily.

The castle is open all year round, except January 1 and December 25.

• 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, EU youth 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 truly impressive... With its facade length of 128 m, 440 rooms and 365 fireplaces, Chambord is the largest castle in the Loire Valley! A unique double system of stairs has been created here - the creation of da Vinci, when people who go up do not intersect with those who go down. The castle is located in the center of a 5,500 hectare park (former hunting ground of the Counts of Blois). Its walls and central donjon with four towers express the power of the French monarchy. The castle was built on a plain, according to the plan of a fortification structure, including a massive rectangular fence 156 m by 117 m and four cylindrical towers at the corners. On the northwestern side there is a donjon, which itself creates almost an entire castle. But in the totality of all elements, real royal grandeur is born and a source of inspiration for many creative personalities - with its geometric clarity, harmony of proportions, roofs, turrets, fireplaces and dormer windows...

Chenonceau

www.chenonceau.com

Open daily.

Adult ticket from 11 €. Evening walk through 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 is one of the brightest flowers in the bouquet of palaces in the Loire Valley. Located 30 km east of Tours and 10 km south of Amboise, next to the Cher River, reflecting the beauty of its fabulous architecture.

For approximately 400 years, the castle was inhabited by representatives of the fair sex: Catherine Brisonnet, wife of Thomas Bohier, Henry II's favorite Diana de Poitiers, Queen Catherine de Medici, her daughter-in-law, Henry III's inconsolable widow Louise de Lorraine, Gabrielle d'Estrée, Henry's favorite IV, the mistress of the young Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Madame Dupin, and, at the end of the last century, the local restorer Madame Pelouz. The wax museum located in the “building of the Domes” is dedicated to all of them.

Charming architecture, French-style gardens and a park add to the tenderness and love for this place. Chenonceau is famous not only for its “appearance” and history, but also for the richness of its collections: Renaissance furniture, tapestries of the 16th and 17th centuries, numerous paintings by the owners by great artists of their 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 old.

Located 15 km from Blois and 18 km from Chambord, Chaverny is famous throughout the world for its tradition of hound hunting and its uncanny resemblance to Moulinsart, the castle of Captain Haddock. Hergé, the creator of the Tintin comics, drew his inspiration from Chaverny, where there is now a permanent exhibition dedicated to him.

But the special interest of Chaverny lies in the luxurious interior decoration of the Louis XI era and home comfort. It is because of this that visitors prefer this castle to others in the Loire. Its decoration has been preserved in excellent condition and remains almost as it was in the 17th century. Among the premises of the castle there is a Trophy Hall (2000 antlers) 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, where giant cedars and other rare species of trees and plants also grow. You can rent a boat to tour the park from April to November.

Montigny-le-Gannelon

www.domainedemontigny.com

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

A beautiful privately owned 15th-century castle located among wheat fields, just 150 km away. from Paris, near Chateaudun.

See: the park is 15 hectares, a very beautiful view of the Loire Valley.

Rivau à Lemere

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

Ticket 10 €

Fairytale castle and gardens, listed as a UNESCO heritage site. The castle gardens are the most beautiful in Touraine. An ideal place for those who are tired of crowds of tourists.

See: gardens, royal stables, labyrinth, castle itself.

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

www.chateau-valencay.fr

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

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

Saumur

www.chateau-saumur.com

Open 01.04-02.11: 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:30; 01.07-31.08: 10:00-18:30.

Closed on Mondays.

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

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

Saumur was classified as a historical monument in 1862 and exhibits 14th-century (late Middle Ages, early Renaissance) architecture worthy of fairy tale castles.

Today, in the former bedchambers of the dynasty of the Dukes of Anjou, there are priceless collections of decorative art, and under the arches in the form of the underwater part of a ship, there is a museum dedicated to the history of horse harnesses.

In the second half of the 14th century. Louis Er d'Anjou, brother of King Charles V, turned Louis's medieval fortress into a holiday residence. Due to the pomp and luxury of 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 René, the last Duke of Anjou, who dubbed the castle “the castle of love,” Saumur returned to the King of France. Subsequently, it became the residence of city managers, a prison, an armory and an ammunition depot. And finally, it was purchased by the city in 1906 to open a municipal museum here.

Saumur is also home to the headquarters and school of the French National Equestrian Centre.

Villandry

www.chateauvillandry.fr

The gardens are open all year round.

The castle is open from 11.02 to 11.10.

Ticket from 4 € to 13 €

Free for children under 8 years old.

Renaissance castle and gardens.

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

The estate was completed in 1536, making Vilandry the last of the great Renaissance castles built on the banks of the Loire. The design of the architectural work belongs to the Breton Jean Le, Secretary of State of Francis I. Being an ambassador in Rome, where he studied garden landscape art, Jean Le had already supervised the construction of Chambord Castle for the crowned monarch for many years.

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

In 1906, the Spaniard, Dr. Joaquim Carvallo (he is the great-grandfather of the present owners) bought this castle. Joaquim saved the building from dismantling and recreated the Renaissance architectural monument and magnificent gardens from the ruins. 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

Traveling on your own is not only a feeling of freedom to choose a place and time, but also an excellent opportunity to save money or see much more than when ordering a standard “hackneyed” program on a tour organized by someone else. It is impossible to see all the castles in one day; it is advisable to plan three days to explore them.

Rented or personal car

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

a) Paris - Tours.

The trip to Tours takes approximately 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: A6B / E15 / E50.

Take the A10/E05 to Orléans/Nantes/Bordeaux/Palazo. Take Exit 21 towards Tours-Centre / 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 an address/district in Paris (or any other), the address of your destination - and get several route options with information about the cost of travel on motorways. www.viamichelin.com

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

b) Paris - Blois.

The duration of the trip is 3-4 hours. Highway A10 (exit about 5 km from the castle) and RN 152. Autoroute A10 Paris / Bordeaux, exit at Blois (Autoroute A10, Paris / Bordeaux, sortie Blois). Distance 170 km. National road RN 152, Paris / Orléans / 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 have only one day to visit the Loire Valley, then from Paris you can take a bus excursion that includes visits to three or four castles, although be prepared that the trip will be a little tiring (but worth the effort). On the Internet, at hotels, on Parisian tours. agencies and tourism bureaus have many offers. A one-day tour of the valley by bus or minivan costs about 150-250 €/person.

The journey by car or train can be continued towards the unique fortified island of Mont-Saint-Michel in Brittany.

Train or bus

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

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

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

a) Paris - Tours.

1. Paris, Montparnasse station (PARIS MONTPARNASSE)

in TOURS CENTER (center of Tours) Duration 1 hour. A ticket through the website when purchased 3 months in advance costs 15 €, while at the box office on site it costs 45 €.

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

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

Local train from Tours to Orleans with stops in Amboise (20 minutes from Tours) and Blois (20 minutes from Amboise).

For 1.7 € the Fil Vert company will take you from Tours to Chenonceau, Amboise, Azay le Rideau www.tourainefilvert.com. Please note the return flight times.

Regular non-tourist bus from the Tours railway to Chenonceau: twice a day (check with the Tourism Bureau). The bus drops off passengers in the center of the village, near the castle (5-10 minutes on foot).

b) Paris - Blois.

You can get to Blois from the Austerlitz train station in Paris in 1.5 hours by train (through the website 10 € one way, at the ticket office - 22 €), and from the city station by local buses www.tlcinfo.net for 6-8 € get to the most popular castles of the Loire. Route: Blois, Chambord, Cheferny, Beauregard, Blois. This bus company often offers discounts on entrance fees to castles, with scheduled (see booklet given to you on the bus) drops you off at the castle, picks you up, takes you to the next one and returns to Blois. Open during the summer season.

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

Bicycle as a means of moving between castles

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

Package bike tours for 3-8 days www.unebaladeavelo.com and many others.

Where to stay in the Loire Valley

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

Hotels in Tours area.

Blois area hotels.

Good to know

Tip: To save money on 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 website you can find out about the dates of various events taking place in the castles and the benefits of the “Loire Castles Passport” - 2 options for purchasing tickets in combination with discounts, including a 5% discount on purchases in designated stores at locks).

Websites of Tourism Offices:

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

Blois: www.bloischambord.co.uk

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

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

Nantes: en.nantes-tourisme.com/

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

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