Chateaux of the Loire Valley -  les Chateau

After Chenonceau, perhaps the most famous of the Loire Valley chateaux, Chambord is a vast Renaissance extravagance started by Francois I in the early 16^th century as a hunting lodge (seriously) it contains over 400 rooms, 365 fireplaces and 84 staircases. All for a residence only used for about 2 months during Francois’s reign!

The Chateau of Blois is not only one of the most prestigious Renaissance monuments  in France but also a brilliant illustration of the evolution of the French architecture from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. It has a royal history from Louis XII who built the oldest part of the chateau to Francois I who added the renaissance wing with the unique open circular staircase. 

The dominant renaissance style of  Château d' Amboise is there for all to see well before you even enter the town as its position high above the Loire river makes it obvious from quite a distance as you drive along the approach roads on the river bank. It was the choice of residence for Charles VIII and Francois I  when he succeeded to the throne, it was he who in 1516 invited Leonardo da Vinci to stay at the delightful 'Close-Luce' nearby

Resting on an island in the river Indre, chateau Azay-le-Rideau is one of the loveliest and most visited in the Loire Valley. It was built during the reign of François I in the Renaissance style by Gilles Berthelot on the site of a former small fortified castle, its turreted façade is reflected in the still waters of the river making time itself appear to stand still.

Located in the heart of the Val de Loire the medieval town of Chinon rests by the banks of the majestic Vienne river. It is a town steeped in history and rich with culture, the ancient château was the preferred residence of Henry II, one of the English Plantagenet kings, and his wife Aliénor d'Aquitaine. Henry II died here in 1189 and their son, Richard The Lionheart was born here.

Villandry and its gardens is probably the most family orientated chateau within the Loire Valley in that it has a children’s maze (not terribly difficult!) and play area as well as the chateau and gardens for the adults. If you only have time to view a couple of chateaux on your visit to the Loire Valley make sure this is one of them. Gardeners will love it!

Like many of the other Loire Valley chateaux, Usse was built on the foundations of a small fortress but has had a very tranquil history. Perhaps its location at the edge of the Forest of Chinon has something to do with this. With its combination of beauty and the fortress like appearance, it is believed that Perrault wrote his famous story, “Sleeping Beauty,” based on Usse.

 Chateau Chaumont was built on the site of a former fortress that had dominated the Loire river offering resistance to the many attacks on the Royal town of Blois using this route. Its location overlooking the town of Chaumont and the Loire made it an ideal place to build a chateau for more peaceful times. Every year the gardens of chateau Chaumont-sur-Loire play host to the annual ‘Festival des Jardins’, a garden festival with up to 30 themed gardens.

Cheverny is a rare thing within the Loire Valley - a chateau that appears untouched by the Renaissance. This could have a lot to do with the fact that it has remained in the same family, the Huraults, for six centuries. The chateau de Cheverny's architecture, minus the two extreme towers, was the inspiration behind Herge’s Marlinspike and there is an exhibition dedicated to Tintin within the chateau grounds.

Source: http://www.experienceloire.com & http://www.experienceloire.com/Chateaux.htm