In addition to Chambord and Chenonceau there are fortresses to see in the cities of Blois, Amboise, Angers and Nantes and other gems throughout the valley.
La Loire Valley It is the largest area in France recorded among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Along the river, in an area of ââapproximately 350 km from Angers a Orleans, some of the gods rise majestically castles most famous in the world, visited every year by millions of tourists. In fact, the Loire castles are the second attraction in France after the Eiffel Tower.
The most famous castles.
Less than two hours from Paris opens the valley Chambord castle. An inevitable stop, it is the largest and most prestigious of the French Renaissance castles, as well as declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Nor should you miss the thousand hectares of park that surround it and which can be explored on foot or by bicycle. After the palace of Versailles is the Chenonceau Castle the most visited in France. It crosses the Cher River and is also known as the castle of the Two Ladies or Diana of Poitiers and Catherine de' Medici. It is the only castle that has a guided tour in 11 languages ââto download on the iPhone. Every summer weekend he organizes a guided tour of the splendid gardens. But the most famous gardens are those of Villandry Castle. Distributed over three levels, they house flowers, plants and vegetables. Balzac called it "a faceted diamond set in the Indre." And the Castle of Azay-le-Rideau It is located on an island in the middle of a river and is the classic Renaissance castle. In addition to being beautiful on the outside, it is also fully furnished. Castillo de Valençay, home of the terrible Talleyrand, Napoleon's minister. Born as a feudal fortress, over the centuries it has been expanded in different styles. During summer nights, light and sound shows and theater pieces are organized in the park. It is private property but you can visit it, there State of Cheverny It is a small manor house in the middle of a meadow that houses works by emerging artists.
The castles of the city.
Ad Amboise is Royal castle, an enormous fortress visible from the entire city that has welcomed the greatest personalities, including Leonardo da Vinci whose tomb is preserved in the nearby Saint-Hubert Chapel. It is located in the very center of Nantes il castle of the dukes of brittany, a huge building made of granite and white tuff, inside which is a ducal residence from the 15th century. He Angers Castle It is a large medieval fortress flanked by 17 towers. After crossing the drawbridge, you discover the residence of the Dukes of Anjou, made up of late Gothic buildings and beautiful gardens. Finally, the Royal Castle of Blois, which was the residence of seven kings and ten queens of France, is a museum that houses 25 thousand works of art and temporary exhibitions.
The least known castles
Il Breze Castle It is a private house in Saumur and hides an underground fortress that you can visit. Don't miss the Richelieu Chamber. He Castle of Langeais It is made up of two castles: the first is the oldest keep in France, while the second has a double aspect, feudal on the city side and Renaissance on the courtyard side. Lastly, the Castle of Clos Lucé Just outside the city of Amboise, in the heart of the Loire Valley, it was the last house of leonardo da vinci. Both the castle and the garden are a true museum with educational tours and are home to some of the most famous works of the Italian genius.
How to get to the Loire castles
The quickest way to get to the castle area is fly to paris then rent a car or take the TGV high-speed train. To sleep it is best to reserve a hotels halfway between Amboise e Tours and go from there. In the area there are numerous very characteristic and economical charming hotels.
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