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Loire Valley Chateaux

 

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What is the Loire Valley best known for?

Its chateaux of course,the chateau has become synonymous with the Loire Valley from the time it was embraced by French Royalty as a safe haven away from the political back-stabbing of Paris and then as a rich cultural playground. What they and their noble followers created is here for us all to see today, preserved in a way perhaps only the French can,even to the extent of rebuilding, as at the fortress at Chinon.   

 A to Z list here

 

 

Villandry

 

Chenonceau

     

 

Chambord

 

Azay-le-Rideau

The Loire Valley castles are as diverse as they are numerous (over 300), from Chenonceau  spanning the river Cher, Chambord with its outrageous and unnecessary scale, Azay-le Rideau seemingly floating on the river Indre, Amboise with its Leonardo de Vinci connection, Cande where Edward Prince of Wales married Wallis Simpson plus many with beautiful gardens such as at Villandry and Chaumont-sur-Loire and a few, like Le Grand Pressigny  and Oiron housing museums and galleries - definitely something for everyone! 

 

Amboise

 

Usse

Their influence and the areas natural beauty made UNESCO designate a large stretch of the river Loire, which includes many of the best chateau, a world heritage site. Listed are many of the more famous Loire chateau --  you will have to decide yourself on which ones to visit. They are easily accessible from anywhere within the region and also France's capital city, Paris. 

 

Blois

 

Cheverny

 

MOST POPULAR

The premier chateaux of the Loire Valley are normally listed in most guidebooks as Chateau de Chambord, Chateau de Chenonceau, Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau and Chateau d'Usse. We would personally substitute the chateau and gardens at Villandry in favour of Usse, unless you have your own little princess who insists on a visit to the 'Sleeping Beauty' castle. Other 'best chateau' lists would include Chateau d'Amboise, Chateau de Blois or Chateau de Cheverny.

 

Rivau

 

Langeais

     

 

 

Chaumont-sur-Loire

 

Clos Luce

We have our own favourites of course but any best off lists are always going to be arbitrary as each visitor is looking for something different and with such a choice they cannot  fail to find it. For some it will be the architecture others the history and for many   it will simply be down to the location they have chosen as their base to explore this beautiful part of France.

 

Loches

 

Montresor

     

 

 

Le Grand Pressigny

 

Montpoupon

     

 

 

Chinon

 

Cande

     

 

 

Lude

 

I'Islette

     

 

 

Azay-le-Ferron

 

Fourgeres-sur-Bievre

     

 

 

Angers

 

Brissac

     

 

 

Chateaudon

 

Breze

     

 

 

Valencay

 

Gue-Pean

     

 

 

Saumur

 

Serrant

     

 

 

Montreuil Bellay

 

Montsoreau

     

 

 

Oiron

 

Montbazon

     

 

Beauregard

 

La Guerche

 

Chateaux A to Z list

 

Chateaux Map

 

Castillos del Loira.

Loire-Tal-Schlösser.

Loire-vallei chateaux.

Valle della Loira chateaux.

Chateaux de la vallée de la Loire.

 

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