How to visit the castles of the Loire from Paris. Loire castles, where to look for them on a map of France and a master class on an independent trip

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

A long time ago, the entire French nobility was concentrated in the Laura Valley. 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 and from the capital, but the castles of the Loire continued to be built. They adorn 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

Le Lude Castle, located in the eponymous commune of 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 Lude Castle was surrounded several times and partially destroyed.

At present, 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 facade 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, Le Lud Castle is the private property of the Comtesse de Nicolai.

Coordinates: 47.64751000,0.15889600

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 turned it into a defensive fortress. It acquired such a look as it is now in the 19th century, after a complete restoration in the spirit of Italian architecture.

If the 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, promoted himself 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.

Coordinates: 47.11353200,-2.10332400

Montsoreau castle

Montsoreau Castle, located in the French department of Maine-et-Loire, has long been a strategic fortress, as recalled by the octagonal lookout tower XV century, built in the 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, by Jean de Chambes, adviser to King Charles VII.

The most famous owner of the castle was Charles de Chambes, a character in Alexandre Dumas père's novel The Countess de Montsoro. Charles de Chambes and his wife, the Countess de Monsoreau, lured her lover, Monsieur de Bussy d'Amboise, to the castle, where de Chambats' detachment massacred him.

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

Coordinates: 47.21557100,0.06249800

Sully-sur-Loire castle

Sully-sur-Loire Castle 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 on four trade routes": water and three land. The date of construction of the building is unknown, but for the first time in the annals it was mentioned at the beginning of the 12th century.

The creators of the castle are the Sully family of barons - the heirs of the ancient Roman dictator Sulla, who laid a crossing across the river, for the use of which they took money. In 1218, by decree of Philip Augustus, a high tower was added to the castle, and a barnyard with a dungeon was created. Some time later, Cardinal Mazarin and Anna of Austria hid 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, who sought refuge from the Regent because of his satirical works. Since 1962, Sully-sur-Loire Castle has been owned by the state and is open to the public. It attracts tourists with its unusual interior and Psyche Hall. The latter contains interesting tapestries that tell the story of Psyche, Cupid and Venus.

Coordinates: 47.76758500,2.37526200

Langeai Castle

Langeai 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 sheer cliff. Under Fulk, the fortress looked more like a stone estate. Everything changed with the accession to the throne of Richard the Lionheart. It was during the reign of the legendary king that Langeai Castle was expanded enough to fulfill its main functions.

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

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

Coordinates: 47.32479200,0.40632200

Castle of Beauregard

Beauregard Castle, located in the Loire-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 frescoes of the fireplace and the Italian-style fireplace, which is located in the Grand Gallery, have been preserved. In 1617, the Beauregard castle was bought by Paul Ardière, the military treasurer. By his order, the building was completed in the Renaissance style of 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 Gallery of Portraits 26 meters long. 327 portraits of famous French and foreign statesmen, from kings and queens to marshals and treasurers, have been preserved in it to this day. The floor of the Gallery is lined with 5,500 faience tiles, the blue ceiling is made of lapis lazuli, one of the most expensive minerals in the 17th century. The castle is still inhabited by the descendants of Argyer, but it is open to tourists who can enjoy the interiors of the Middle Ages and, of course, visit the famous Portrait Gallery.

Coordinates: 47.53695700,1.38358900

Angers castle

The Castle of Angers is a majestic medieval fortification of irregular shape on the embankment of the river Men. 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 no longer restored.

By the way, during the Second World War, the citadel was practically not involved, and therefore it has come down to us in good condition. The famous tapestries "The Apocalypse of Angers", 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. On the territory of the Chateau there are guided tours daily throughout the year.

Coordinates: 47.47000000,-0.56000000

Castle of La Ferte

La Ferte Castle is a former Cistercian abbey founded in 1113 under the leadership of Stephen Harding, the Cistercian abbot. It is considered the first daughter monastery of the Sito order. 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. 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 whole 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, the bust of the last abbot of La Farte, various paintings bearing sacred thoughts. In the living room of the abbot, a bust of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette is presented, you can also see bas-reliefs on biblical motifs, wands, crosses, canvases and much more.

The largest staircase in Burgundy was built in the castle of La Farte. And in one of the parts of the building you can see portraits of all the owners of the former monastery. Today, the castle is home to Jacques Tenard's family, who maintain its wealth through tourism and agriculture.

Coordinates: 47.06517100,2.04034000

Chenonceau castle

The delightful castle of 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 Boye, who turned out to be a great lover of the Renaissance architectural style. By order of Boye, all the old buildings were demolished, and a large construction site began on their foundations. By coincidence, Boye's wife was in charge of the construction business, and Thomas himself, on duty, often found himself on the road and died in Italy. Throughout its subsequent history, Chenonceau Castle belonged to noble ladies, including royal blood.

Coordinates: 47.32472200,1.07027800

Castle of Fougères-sur-Bièvre

Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre is one of the castles of the Loire Valley, located on the banks of the river Bièvre. It was built by Pierre de Refuge, treasurer at the court of Louis XI, on the site of a defensive fortress destroyed during the Hundred Years' War by the troops of Edward III, Prince of Wales. After the battle, only the donjons remained, which needed a little 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 passed into the possession of René Lambeau, whose descendants opened a spinning mill inside the building, which operated until 1890. The restoration of the castle began in 1932 under the leadership of the state.

To date, the building is the best example of buildings of the Middle Ages, since its appearance has not changed much, despite the dominance of the Renaissance. Towers cut by narrow loopholes, a massive building made of sandstone bricks, heavy and low arches of the courtyard, a closed courtyard and much more point to the Middle Ages.

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

Coordinates: 47.44768800,1.34374100

Sachet Castle

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

In the XVIII-XIX 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 "Father 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 Sacher castle. In his collection are not only personal items, but also numerous manuscripts, editions and a large collection of ancient icons. In 1983, Sasha was included in the list of French historical monuments under state protection.

Coordinates: 47.24576900,0.54463300

Castle Lavardin

Lavarden Castle, located in the eponymous commune of the French department of Cher and Loire, today is a medieval ruin. The first stone fortress was built on this site, on a hill, among the forests, in 1070. In the 12th century, towers and a triple façade were added to the main building, making the castle one of the fortified buildings among the nearby ones. Several times the castle was rebuilt and fortified, adapting to new military strategies.

interesting historical fact is the fact that even the famous Richard the Lionheart could not capture the castle. The castle of Lavarden was completely destroyed in the 16th century by the troops of Henry IV. To date, you can see several buildings, one of which left a large gatehouse with loopholes for guns, a large underground storeroom. Through the guard room of the building, located above, you can get into the underground galleries. From a height of 26 meters, the last level of the buildings of Lavardin Castle offers a beautiful view of the neighboring villages and valleys.

Coordinates: 47.74078800,0.88308200

Huaron Castle

Castle of Ouaron is a world landmark located in Ouaron, in the department of Des-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 Conqueror, gave possession and a large forest to Huaron Guillaume Gouffier, who became the governor of Thureni. The castle of 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 that adjoins 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 château galleries contain French Renaissance art pieces.

Coordinates: 46.95205700,-0.07737800

Freteval Castle

Chateau Fréteval is another castle belonging to the Château de Loire, located in the municipality of Fréteval, Loire et Cher. The territory of the castle 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 fortified Carolingian 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 Stephen II of Blois.

Freteval Castle attracts tourists every year due to its beauty and history. Near the castle 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.

Coordinates: 47.88534800,1.21148900

Noirmoutier castle

Noirmoutier-en-l-Isle or simply Noirmoutier is a resort settlement in the northern part of the French island of the same name, 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 castle of Noirmoutier 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 shows the architecture of the twelfth century. It is built of rubble, 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 gates also have similar turrets at the corners. From the Benedict monastery of St. Philibert, a Romanesque church has been preserved, heavily rebuilt after a fire in 1848.

The castle is known for the fact that in 1832 the French inventor Villeroy first tested his submarine here. Now the castle of Noirmoutier with its dungeon, courtyard, 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.

Coordinates: 47.00122700,-2.24226200

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 accusations of betraying the king. The castle went to 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 arrived here at the invitation of the monarch. Here he finishes the Mona Lisa and dies in 1519. His grave is in the castle chapel.

During the French Revolution, most of the castle was destroyed and looted. Now he is recovering. The castle is open to the public. Guided tours, various activities, including at night. Everyone can feel like a guest of the castle in the Renaissance for a moderate fee.

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.

Coordinates: 47.41279600,0.98651600

Castle Menard

Menard Castle, 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. The two-storey castle with an even row of windows and classic gable roofs stands on the banks of the river. The palace was expanded several times and now it is a building with a main building and attached parts of different levels.

Menard Castle is famous for the fact that for some time it served as the residence of the famous Marquise de Pompadour, the mistress of King Louis XV. The marquise bought this beautiful chateau in 1760 for a million livres from the heirs of the farmer Guillaume Charron, who served under Louis XIV and made a huge fortune. To expand the ownership, Madame de Pompadour invited the famous royal architect Gabriel, but did not have time to carry out her plans, as 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, the author of the project of the Paris Pantheon. Thus, extensive terraces leading to the Laura River, beautiful park areas appeared on the territory of the castle, which are in complete harmony with the surrounding area.

Coordinates: 47.63882000,1.41040000

Brissac Castle

Brissac Castle, located in the province of Languedoc, is the highest in France. Its height leaves 52 meters.

The name of the castle and the area surrounding it is connected with the medieval nickname of the millers "Breche-sac", which means "hole in the bag". It is believed that the millers poured out the grain through a hole specially made in the bag. The initiator of the construction of the castle-fortress was Count Fulk Nerra of Anjou. However, the owners of the fortress were 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, the 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 made in a more austere style. Nearby is a tall square tower.

There is a private chapel in the Gothic south tower, where you can see the famous marble bas-relief 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.

Coordinates: 47.35294000,0.44975300

Plassey Burre Castle

Plessis-Bourret Castle, 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 in private ownership. The castle is a small fortress, a large rectangle with four corner towers, standing right on the river bank. As conceived by the owner, in addition to the defensive function, the castle had to be suitable for comfortable living, which was taken care of by the best architects of the country.

During World War I and World War II, Plassey-Bourre Castle was used by the 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 from the Middle Ages in their original form. A special attraction of the Plessis-Bourre castle is the guardroom with a wooden ceiling painted on the themes of fairy tales, proverbs and allegories.

Coordinates: 47.60095300,-0.54431700

Loches Castle

Loches Castle was built at the beginning of the 11th century by Fulk Nerra. The palace, whose height is 36 meters, is now read as one of the most impressive buildings of the Norman period. The castle is a fine example of military architecture. Previously, it was a prison, the most famous prisoner of the castle of Loches 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 the history of France as Joan of Arc, Agnes Sorel and Anna Brittany. Every year this place attracts many tourists from all over the world.

Coordinates: 47.12472200,0.99666700

Castle of La Bussière

La Buscienne Castle is located on the reservoir of Vernisson in the city of the same name in France. It is one of the most visited castles of the Loire Valley, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1962, it was opened for visiting by a married couple Cheysval. The castle has a collection of works of art in the field of fishing. In honor of this, the building was named.

All the interior design of the building is made on the theme of fishing. And the kitchen, pantry, and living rooms - everything is furnished with fish trophies, decorated with paintings depicting fish. In the corners of the rooms there are sculptures with fish, fishing gear and so on. Also, in a kind of museum, objects of folk art such as ceramics, glass and much more from past times are exhibited.

Today, La Buscienne Castle is constantly open to visitors who can see the colorful greenhouses, well-groomed stables and a cozy little park, as if created for romantic walks.

Coordinates: 47.74741300,2.74694100

Mayenne castle

There is a small department of Mayenne in France. There are many electrical factories here, and excellent fabrics and clothes are also produced in these places. And the area is a chessboard: sandy landscapes alternate here with fertile fields, pastures, 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 with two floors and a square tower. During the French Revolution, the castle was used to accommodate 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, is the subject of a study on the height of the masonry. It was proved that the castle, preserved on three levels, was a defensive structure.

Coordinates: 48.30379300,-0.61643600

Castle of the Dukes of Brittany

Outwardly, the residence of the Dukes of Breton, located in the Loire Valley, resembles a classic medieval castle - high walls, six powerful towers, deep moats. 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 Anna of Brittany became the wife of the French king Charles VIII, and the castle gradually lost its military functions. In 1598, King Henry IV signed the Edict of Nantes in the castle. During the bourgeois revolution, a prison and an arsenal were placed in the castle, and in 1800, a catastrophe happened - some of the buildings were badly damaged by 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 facade of one of the remaining buildings - "Grand Lodge" you can see the coat of arms, symbolizing the annexation of Brittany to France. A pedestrian route with a visit to the medieval tower "Golden Crown" runs along the part of the fortress walls. A well, decorated with ducal heraldic symbols, has been preserved in the courtyard.

Coordinates: 47.21623100,1.54909400

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 XIII 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 clothes were considered mourning.

The real name of the castle is "The Castle of the Breton Kings in Nantes". However, this place is most often associated with Anna, the only woman who became Queen of France twice. In 1491, she married the French king Charles VIII, and after only 7 years 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 building in the city. At various times it served as a military fortress, royal residence, barracks, military depot, prison. Now it houses a museum that stores real treasures. In 1862 it was declared a historical monument. After World War II, during which the fascist invaders set up a bunker in the castle, the building was restored for 15 years.

The castle is equipped with a modern facade lighting system that turns the castle into a real fairy-tale place.

Coordinates: 47.21623100,-1.54911700

Clisson Castle

In the town of Clisson, 107 kilometers west of Saumur, in the Loire department, is the castle of Clisson. It is located on a high granite plateau, on the left bank of the Sèvres-Nantes 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 Francis, Duke 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 border of Brittany, it provided protection from the duchies of Anjou and Poitou.

The residential buildings included a front hall, several living quarters and a kitchen. Only the walls have survived to our time. To the east of the living quarters 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 fire on the opposite bank. Even in the western part there were two round towers of the 15th century with a wall thickness of about six meters, which served as prisons in the 18th century: women's and men's.

Coordinates: 47.08612300,-1.28010000

Castle of Saint-Loup-sur-Thuet

The Château Saint-Loup-sur-Thuet is located in the municipality of Saint-Loup-Lamere in the department of Des Sèvres, France. The castle is a 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 Gufje. Saint-Aignan Castle is one of the finest examples of architecture of this period in France.

One of the castle's square towers, dating from the 14th century, housed King John II of France when he was taken prisoner after the Battle of Poitiers. It also housed Edward the Black Prince. The shape of the building in the shape of the letter H was chosen in honor of King Henry IV of France. In the 1980s, Saint-Loup-sur-Thuet was owned by Jean-Jacques Debout and Chantal Goya.

Coordinates: 46.78996000,-0.16792900

Reo castle

Réau Castle 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 style of the Renaissance and is considered a historical monument of architecture. Wide meadows and quiet rivers spread around the castle, which are ideal for artists and poets to search for a muse, and the building itself is considered the most elegant and refined of all the buildings of the valley.

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

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

Coordinates: 47.24781900,0.14826700

Chateau Petit Thouars

The Château de Petit Thouars is a Renaissance building located on a charming and fabulous hilltop near the banks of the river Vienne, 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, there are vineyards owned by the Petit Toire 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, therefore, you can admire it only from the outside. It is made in the classical style, so it is devoid of various hyperbolic elements. In general, the building looks quite harmonious.

Coordinates: 47.18194400,0.10861100

Gien Castle

Gien Castle was built in the 16th century as an apartment for the daughter of Anna de Gien on the site of a royal hunting lodge, which led to the organization of a hunting museum in the castle. Now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it disputes the right to be considered the first Renaissance castle of the Loire Valley. In 1823, it passed into the possession of local authorities and was opened to the public as early as 1952.

Perpendicular to the main body of the building, another one was added on the east side, which looks towards the river. The facade of the courtyard is decorated with three towers in the shape of an octahedron, where spiral staircases were attached.

Today, Gien Castle has collected its hunting collection. Visiting the walls of the museum, anyone can see guns, tapestries, as well as paintings and studies by the French artist Francois Deporte. The latter were moved to Big hall, in so far 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 see the entire arsenal of paintings of the castle. In addition, the museum has a collection of 5,000 buttons and fasteners that used to be on hunting suits.

Coordinates: 47.68497700,2.63167100

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 the 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 from the side of the cliff, 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 the King of England Henry II, who commissioned the rebuilding of the eastern part of the castle 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 floors and ceilings of the castle to collapse. Since 1854, restoration work has been carried out in 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.

Coordinates: 47.16923200,0.23914800

Castle of Montgeoffroy

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 Renaissance horseshoe with its characteristic 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 in the country, as evidenced by the recent inventory. All panels, paintings, tapestries are in the same places where they were at the time of the first owner. Local residents who respected the Marquis de Contada, Montgeoffroy Castle was saved from the revolutionaries. Until now, the castle belongs to the descendants of the marquis.

Coordinates: 47.46903700,-0.27638300

Valence Castle

Valençay Castle, located in the French commune of the same name in the famous Loire Valley, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. There was a fortress on the site of the modern castle from the 12th to the 16th centuries. In 1540, the family of the famous French financier Etamps, 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 to two western and one eastern towers on the sides.

The most famous owner of the castle of Valence is 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, Valençay Castle belonged to the descendants of Talleyrand. During the Second World War, one of them managed to save such treasures of the Louvre 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, the Chinese bridge, the Turkish pavilion and a chessboard of 66 flower squares separated by 30 alleys. Since 1979, the castle has been owned by the Association of Historic Castles of France. A museum of vintage cars is open on the premises, and llamas, peacocks and other exotic animals stroll through the park.

Coordinates: 47.15783000,1.56343200

Gizo Castle

Château Gizot, located among the 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 dates back to the 14th century, when a defensive fortress was located on the site of the current castle. For three centuries, from 1315 to 1660, the Gizo castle belonged to the du Bellay family, the most famous representative of which is the poet from the poetic Pleiades, Joachim du Bellet. It was then bought by Prince Louis Gabriel de Contades, Marquis Gizot, whose name the castle currently bears.

The castle has been rebuilt over several centuries, it bears the imprints of several styles: from the Renaissance style to the Renaissance elements. The castle building looks like a labyrinth, consisting of several multi-level buildings. All of them are built of white stone, but their interior is different due to the constant change of owners. Each of them brought something new to the decoration of their home. Gisot Castle houses two large art galleries: the Francis I Gallery, 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 is a classic picturesque lawn. In 1945, Gizo Castle was included in the list of French architectural monuments under the protection of the Ministry of Culture.

Coordinates: 47.39064700,0.20608200

Sarze Castle

Sarze Castle is an imposing medieval fortress, it consists 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, completing the beauty of this castle.

Initially, in the middle of the XIV century, the castle was a manor that belonged to the Barbonsois family. It 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 there was an open area on the site of the castle, surrounded by a moat and a fence, from which only one tower-chapel now remains.

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

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

Coordinates: 46.60027800,1.90638900

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 under the protection of 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, in which she kept poisons.

This place keeps many secrets and mystical stories.

Coordinates: 47.58564300,1.33091200

Castle of Montreuil-Belle

Montreuil-Bellay Castle is a historic building in the city of Montreuil-Belley, Department 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 river Thouet.

During the Middle Ages, the site of Montreuil-Belle, covering more than 1,000 acres, was part of a group of 32 neighboring villages that made up the "Legue" area.

The feudal estate of Montreuil-Bellet first belonged to Geldua of Denmark, then, by royal heritage, passed to Berle the Old, who became the first Sir 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 British, the feudal estate returned to the descendant of the Berlay the Old family, Guillaume de Melun. After that, the estate underwent many reconstructions, high massive structures and walls with 13 towers appeared, as well as an entrance through a fortified gateway. The name of the castle was anglicised from Berle to Belle.

In 1822, the building was purchased by businessman Adrien Nivelu 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.

Coordinates: 47.13324600,-0.15397300

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 the ancient Galo-Roman fortifications at the direction of Count Fulk III of Anjou Nerra. Then, in the years 1228-1238, King Louis IX greatly strengthens the fortress and rebuilds it, creating a classic fortification that can repel almost any attack. In those days, the Dukes of Brittany were the main potential enemy. The castle was built on the high bank of the river and fortified with 17 towers about 30 meters high. In 1485, under Louis XI, a moat filled with water was dug around the fortress.

In the XV century, Angers became the residence of Rene - Count of Anjou and Provence, King of Naples and Sicily, popularly nicknamed "René the Good". Such a nickname was given to the count for his merits in the field of literature, poetry, and construction. He was valued for his patronage of the poor and oppressed, and for his love of holidays and jousting.

Coordinates: 47.46992200,0.55959500

Cheverny Castle

Cheverny Castle, located in the city of the same name in the French department of Loire-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 late-Renaissance white stone medieval building with tall windows, symmetrical lines and bas-reliefs on the façade is still the private property of the Hurault family, descendants of Philip Hurault, who commissioned it to be built.

Since 1914, Cheverny Castle has been open to tourists for free, but continues to be the residence of a large family, which is reminiscent of several contemporary photographs in one of the halls, the interior of which has remained intact since the construction itself. Everything here is reminiscent of the 17th century - furniture, portraits of the owners of the castle, painted by the best painters of France, interior decor elements. Cheverny Castle is currently operating as a medieval museum. On its territory there is a well-known kennel throughout the district, the inhabitants of which do not sit idle, as the owners often organize dog hunts in the nearby forests.

Coordinates: 47.50017000,1.45791700

Verreri Castle

Verreri 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 in its place, which means Verrerie in French. It is made in the Renaissance style, its windows overlook the forest and meadow landscapes. Now the castle is in the possession of the Vogüé family and is one of the must-see points of the excursion route along the Loire Valley.

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

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 Vogüé family appeared on the walls of the chapel, which made a great contribution to the historical castle. Dreamy nature spreads around the building. All that surrounds it is forest and meadows.

Coordinates: 47.42317900,2.52198500

Blaine Castle

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

The architecture of the castle resembles the defensive structures of the Middle Ages. Previously, it had twelve towers and covered an area of ​​about four hectares. By order of Cardinal Richelieu, part of the castle was dismantled in 1628, but the ruins leave an indelible impression: the tower, the bridge over the moat, the iron horse protecting the bridge, Renaissance skylights with high peaks, gargoyles and brick fireplaces with bizarre designs.

The castle was especially seriously damaged during the French Revolution, when its premises were used as barracks and prisons. From the chapel, built in the sixteenth century, only the crypt remains. In 1918, the writer Marie Bonaparte took possession of the castle and completely rebuilt the north wing.

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

Coordinates: 47.46651300,-1.76431400

Saint-Aignan Castle

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

Castle Saint-Aignan looks impressive. Now it is private property, the castle is a residential area, but the public has the right to enter the courtyard to look at the building from all sides. At the moment there are no excursions to the inner halls of the castle.

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

Coordinates: 47.26944400,1.37416700

Montpoupon castle

Montpoupon Castle, 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 by the country's Ministry of Culture since 1930 as a historical monument.

The first building on this site was built in the XII century. For several centuries, the castle, which is a strategic fortress, was rebuilt several times. In the 14th-17th centuries, it belonged to the Prie family and was modernized. It was at that time that a gate fort, a western tower, a detached donjon with a steep parapet arose, and internal chambers with high ceilings were equipped. During the French Revolution, all the fortress walls, except for the front, were demolished.

Since the middle of the 19th century, the castle has belonged to the Motte Saint-Pierre family. In the outbuildings of the 19th century, the Hunting Museum is open, the collection of which is dedicated to amateur hunting. The expositions of several pavilions acquaint visitors with forestry and animal husbandry, developed in this region of the country.

Coordinates: 47.25295700,1.14121000

Chamerol castle

The Château de Chamerol is an architectural building located in the forests of Orléans, close to streams and lakes. Made in the style of Louis XII with two-tone brickwork, three outbuildings, towers decorating the walls. All this is presented in a quadrangular symmetrical form. The castle is famous for its museum dedicated to the history of the creation of perfumes, and for its green, enchanting Renaissance park.

A wide moat filled with water was dug around the castle of Chamerol, through which a stone bridge leads to the central entrance. In the left wing there is a gallery, which has a certain similarity 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 every 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 territory of the castle, a wide variety of medicinal and aromatic plants, as well as rare boxwood, grow. Green labyrinths of bushes are of interest even to small visitors, and the view from the windows attracts all couples in love.

Coordinates: 48.06027000,2.16409200

Carey Castle

Carey Castle is a French fortified mansion in the city of Guérande, Loire-Atlantique department. Built in the XIV century, and expanded in the XV-XVI centuries. Initially, it performed a protective function, as evidenced by the jagged curtain. The castle was a place of worship for Protestants in the area. Carey Castle boasts a turbulent history. It still bears traces of the religious wars of the 15th century, and since it was owned by the Protestants, it was repeatedly subjected to crushing attacks from the Catholic League. And in 1699 the castle finally passed into the hands of the Catholics.

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

At the present time, the castle of Carey is known in France for its innovative approach to the field of tourist services. It organizes the following activities and entertainment: the classic tour of the castle, the tour "Oh, what an adventure!", Which includes a performance of swordsmen, a walk through the castle by candlelight. You can also celebrate your child's birthday here. The owner will lead the children through the castle filled with surprises, show sword fights, and arrange a feast in one of the halls of the castle. Especially popular are thematic tours for adults on military and historical topics.

Coordinates: 47.29871800,-2.39798100

Montrichard castle

Montrichard Castle is a dilapidated 11th century castle located in the heart of the Montrichard municipality, Loire et Chart 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, since 1877 it has been included in the list of historical monuments of France. The castle is currently a museum, which houses various exhibits from rare coins to vehicles of that time.

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

Coordinates: 47.34361100,1.18611100

Chambord castle

Chambord Castle is the largest palace complex in the Loire Valley. Its length is 160 meters, height - 56. The building contains 426 rooms and 90 of them are currently open to visitors. The castle is located on the territory of a huge park of Paris with an area of ​​​​5440 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 course of the Loire River. Chambord is rightfully considered the most famous castle among the great variety of castles in this valley. This building impresses with its sophistication and magnificence. The tour here will take more than one hour.

This masterpiece of the Renaissance from the very gates to the spiers 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 is more like a forest. Until now, the local nobility periodically organizes hunting in these places.

Coordinates: 47.61608700,1.51726600

Mott Glein Castle

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

Motte Glein Castle was built at the beginning of the fifteenth century in the city of La Chapelle Glen by Pierre de Rogan. As for the vast majority of medieval castles, its primary task was a protective function. In the seventeenth century, the heirs of the first owner of the castle significantly rebuilt it, and it began to look more like a residential estate.

The castle consists of a pavilion, which was built surrounded by two round towers. In one of the towers there was a pantry, and the other was intended for a press. The majestic residential building, whose windows are decorated with Renaissance sculptures of the fifteenth century, pleases tourists with its original appearance. And in the chapel were frescoes of the sixteenth century. The castle is a fine example of late fifteenth century architecture. Everything in Mott Glein 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.

Coordinates: 47.60753700,-1.19253200

Le Reo Castle

Le Reo Castle, 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, was built of white and gray bricks, laid out in a checkerboard pattern, which gives it a certain fabulousness.

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

The fairy tale castle is surrounded by ten acres of gardens. The romantic atmosphere 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.

Coordinates: 47.24780500,0.14805600

Dunois castle

Dunois Castle, located in the small town of Beaugency in the center of France, was built of gray stone in the Romanesque style in 1440 with characteristic battlements, a watchtower and a tower surrounded by arches of the same shape and size, which rest on columns or pillars. It was built by order of Jean de Dunois, the famous commander of the Hundred Years War, who fought alongside Joan of Arc. He married Marie d'Harcourt, became the 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 property 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 now the castle houses the “Regional Museum of Arts and Traditions of Orleans”, on three floors of which a collection of exhibits is collected that characterize the life and customs of the inhabitants of Beaugency and located in 20 ty kilometers from here is Orleans.

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

Coordinates: 47.77775500,1.63344300

Chaumont-sur-Loire castle

The history of Chaumont-sur-Loire dates back to the 15th century, when the first wooden castle was built on this site, which, however, did not stand for a relatively long time, since its owner Pierre d'Amboise had the imprudence to fall into disfavor with King Louis XI, who in as a warning to the rest, he demolished this castle 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 on the same place, surrounded on each side by high rounded towers. did Pierre d'Amboise manage to establish relations with Louis XI during the construction of the new castle, or did the masonry turn out to be stronger than the previous one, but only Chaumont-sur-Loire has survived to our times, and after the restoration work this castle looks simply impeccable. In the 16th century, Catherine de Medici herself bought this palace, and the room where she lived is still accessible to the eyes of visitors.

Coordinates: 47.47916700,1.18194400

Castles of Loire

The castles of the Loire 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 - 16th centuries. Before turning into luxurious palaces of the French court, the 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, the fourth did not see anything, but are just as stunningly beautiful.

The most famous castles of the Loire Valley: Fontainebleau, Chaumont-on-the-Loire, Beauregard, Brassier, Valencey, Shaverny, Meillant, Usse, Sully, Chenonceau, Montsoreau, Angers, Chinon, Langeais, Le Lude, La Flèche, Chambord, Ponce, Azay Le Rideau, Luyne, Azay Le Ferron, Loches, Montresor, Blois, La Bretèche, Vitre, Le Rocher, Brissac, Montreuil-Belle, Amboise, Ouaron, Chateaubriand, Goulin 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.

Coordinates: 47.89424800,-0.26550300

Azay-le-Rideau castle

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 river Indre. 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, the treasurer of King Francis I, Gilles Vertelot.

The facades of the castle are divided by friezes and pilasters and decorated with pediments. The building of gray stone is crowned with pointed turrets. The decoration of the building is an Italian-style staircase with straight flights, three balconies and lavish decoration. 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 the eyes of visitors since 1905, when the castle was acquired by the French government.

Coordinates: 47.25901800,0.46574100

Castle of Villandry

Villandry Castle is one of Laura's favorite castles; 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, the meeting of the King of France Philip-Augustus and the King of England Henry II Plantagenet took place, which ended with the signing of a peace treaty in favor of France.

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

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

Coordinates: 47.34061800,0.51449100

Vilsaven Castle

Vilsaven Castle is one of the castles of the Loire Valley, built in 1537 by order of Jean le Breton, the secretary of Francis I. French and Italian architects worked on the creation of the building, on whose account the royal castle of Chambord was built. Made in the style of a harmonious Renaissance. Now owned by a private individual, but excursions around the territory and inside the structure are allowed. Visitors can learn about the history of royal weddings at the relevant Wedding Museum.

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

The wedding museum has about one and a half thousand exhibits dedicated to the celebration of this event, from 1840 to the 20th century. In addition to it, the Vilsaven Castle houses a museum of children's cars and horse-drawn cars.

Coordinates: 47.54645200,1.51452500

Chateaubriand castle

The ancient feudal fortress of Chateaubriand, the name of which consists of two words - "château", 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. On the colonnade there is an inscription that dates the completion of construction - 1538.

Château de Chateaubriand is a medieval castle, heavily 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 form only in the 16th century, when a new Renaissance palace was built. After the French Revolution, the castle was sold several times, turned into premises for the court, the police, and the 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, in the castle, the mistress of Francis the First, Countess Chateaubriand, was brutally murdered by her jealous and old husband. A lot of tourists, from those who love mysticism and tickle their nerves, arrive at the castle on the night of October 16-17 - the day of the death of the countess, in order to watch from nearby houses through the windows how the ghost of the countess wanders around the castle with a candle in her hands.

Coordinates: 47.71995400,-1.37288300

Chateau de Breze castle

Château de Breze is a magnificent and luxurious castle founded in the 16th century. The construction of the castle was carried out over 3 centuries, and therefore, in the appearance of the palace, an elegant architectural mixture of styles is clearly observed, but the Renaissance style prevails.

Chateau de Breze - a real gem 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, hollowed out of stone, not inferior in size to the castle itself.

Underground rooms 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 ditch in Western Europe surrounding the castle. Every year, a natural wine tasting festival "La Dive Bouteille" is held here. Excursions are also held in the castle, an exciting game for adults and children "Treasure Hunt" is organized.

Coordinates: 47.17444400,-0.05750000

Usse castle

In 1485, the castle became the property of the d'Epinay family for 40,000 golden ecu, 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 stopped, although the royal chambers were ready to receive them at any moment.

Today, this castle almost completely preserves the atmosphere of the time in which it was built. Exhibits from that period have been preserved in many rooms. 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 still retains its original layout. The castle has its own small chapel, a garden, and to get to the castle you need to cross a small stone bridge over the river Indre.

Coordinates: 47.24972200,0.29111100

Castle of Lavut-Polignac

Lavoute-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, which is reminiscent of the shape of the windows-loopholes and the place on which it is located - on a high bank of the river among shrubs and forests.

In the 18th century, the famous French statesman Vicomte de Polignac acquired the castle of Lavout-Polignac, his mother, the Duchess de Polignac, who was close to 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, tapestries from the time of the first owner. From the terraces of the first floor, located 45 meters above the Loire River, a beautiful view of the coastal area opens up, where sheep graze peacefully and river herons roam. The castle still belongs to the descendants of the Viscount de Polignac.

Coordinates: 45.11749800,3.89435500

Ge Pean Castle

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

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

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

Coordinates: 47.34972200,1.31833300

Gulen Castle

Not far from the town of Haute-Gullen is a 16th-century castle, which represents the whole brilliant series of castles in the Loire Valley - the castle of Goullen. And although it belongs geographically to Brittany, outwardly it differs from the castles of this province. Granite here is replaced by limestone, and there are a lot of decorative architectural buildings. The castle was not destroyed and plundered during the French Revolution, because from the time of 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 of our era, 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 a 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 is home to the famous "house of tropical butterflies". In the huge greenhouse, thousands of magnificent tropical butterflies fly freely around visitors. And all this surrounded by rare plants. The unique vaulted cellar, built over 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 the production of wines. Gulen Castle Winery is a historical monument and is considered one of the oldest existing in the world.

Coordinates: 47.20420500,-1.40358900

Attractions of the Loire Valley

Castles of the Loire is the tourist name for a group of French castles located in the valley of the Loire River (). Most of the castles have a distinctive architectural feature - they are built of white sandstone or brick with sandstone bracing. Loire castles listed in

The castles of the Loire are one of the. Some of the castles are known all over the world, for example, or, other names are not well known, but they are all unusually beautiful and romantic. Full list there are no castles belonging to the "Castles of the Loire" group. Most of the castles were built during the Renaissance and served as a beautiful decoration for the life of the royal court. And today there is an opportunity to visit a real castle and imagine the everyday life of an aristocrat of bygone days.

Castles are conventionally divided into three broad categories: 11 royal castles; 21 noble castles with historical, architectural or museum value and all other castles.

How to visit the castles of the Loire on your own?

There are a huge number of castles in the Loire Valley, and you can go there on your own by making a route for yourself - practical information on the opening hours of individual castles, ticket prices, as well as ways to get there, you will find below in this article. The cost of tickets to the castles of the Loire was checked on July 18, 2019 and is current for 2019.

If you are going to organize yourself, then the easiest way is to go to visit them from the cities of Tours or , and you can easily get there from Paris by train or bus:

• Bus tickets:

Tours of the castles of the Loire

Or you can “surrender” into the hands of professionals and, without particularly straining, go to see the beauty by bus from Paris, accompanied by a Russian-speaking guide.

10 most famous castles of the Loire

and 1 magnificent garden

Chenonceau Castle (château Chenonceau)

This castle is also known as "Castle of the Ladies" because it was built, rebuilt and landscaped by women. Built in 1513 - 1521. commissioned by Catherine Brisone. Then King Henry II donated to his mistress Diane de Poitiers, who in 1556-1559. undertook numerous reconstructions, including the arrangement of the right bank of the Cher River, the garden that bears her name, and the bridge connecting the castle with the left bank. Finally, Catherine the Medici gave the final chord to the decoration of the castle: a park was laid out, a Rocher fountain and galleries on the bridge were built. In addition to elegant architecture and a chic interior, the castle is famous for painting and Flanders tapestries of the 16th century. This castle is the most visited private property in France, with about 850,000 tourists visiting the property of the Meunier family every year. The castle regularly hosts exhibitions and other cultural events.

• How to get to Chenonceau castle

- by train from Paris from Montparnasse station to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps (Tours) station, then by train to Chenonceau (1.5 - 2 hours on the road, tickets from 22 euros).

• Opening hours of the Chenonceau castle

January 1 - 5: 9:30 - 17:30
February 6 - April 3: 9:00 - 16:30
April 4 - May 29: 9:00 - 17:30
May 30 - July 3: 9:00 - 18:00
July 4 - August 21: 9:00 - 19:30
August 22 - September 27: 9:00 - 18:30
September 28 - November 1: 9:00 - 17:30
November 2 - December 18: 9:30 - 16:30
December 19 - December 31: 9:30 - 17:30
The castle is open to the public all year round.
Closing at 19:00 on the following weekends:
for Easter, May 1 - 3, May 8 - 10, for Ascension.

• Ticket price for Chenonceau Castle

Castle + brochure (available in Russian) + gardens + galleries

• For adults - 15 euros
• For children 7-18 years old - 12 euros
• For students (on presentation of a document) 18-27 years old - 12 euros
• Children under 7 years free

Castle + audio guide (available in Russian) + gardens + galleries

• For adults - 19 euros
• For children 7-18 years old - 15.50 euros
• For students (on presentation of a document) 18-27 years old - 15.50 euros
• Children under 7 years free

Chambord Castle (château Chambord)

The construction of the castle began in 1519 on the orders of King Francis I, nicknamed "King-Architect". The work was carried out by experienced French masons. The construction took 220 thousand tons of stone. This additional royal residence was intended to show sovereigns and ambassadors of other countries the power of the French king. The architecture of the chateau combines traditional elements of medieval architecture and the Italian Renaissance. There is no documentary evidence, but researchers tend to believe that Leonardo da Vinci himself and his assistant Corton participated in the development of the castle plan. The famous staircase of the castle was allegedly also realized according to the drawings of Leonardo. Chambord is the largest of the castles of the Loire and is located on the territory of the largest closed forest park in Europe. It is also one of the most famous castles in the world.

• How to get to Chambord Castle

– by car along the A10 highway (direction Bordeaux, then Mer or Blois), paid parking 200 m from the castle (4 euros);

(Blois) (on the way 1 h 25 m, tickets from 10 euros), then by bus to the castle (May-August). ;

The nearest airport is located in Paris.

• Opening hours of Chambord castle

• Entrance fee to Chambord Castle

• Adult - 14.50 euros (palace + gardens)
• Youth 18-25 years old - 12 euros
• Children under 18 accompanied by an adult - free of charge

Amboise Castle (château d'Amboise)

This castle belonged to the Amboise family for more than 4 centuries, then, in 1434, it passed into the royal possession. The castle was well fortified and therefore the kings often stayed there. The medieval fortress character of the chateau underwent changes under the reign of Charles VIII in 1492-1498. Ashes are kept in the chapel of the castle of Amboisethe great Leonardo da Vinci.

• How to get to Amboise Castle

- by car along the A10 highway (Amboise exit), then 15 km along the D31 and then N152;

— by train from Paris Austerlitz station to Amboise station (on the way 1 h. 40 m., tickets from 15 euros). .

• Opening hours of the castle of Amboise

The castle is closed on January 1st and December 25th. Opening/closing times vary by month. Check lock opening hours for a specific period can be on the official website.

• Entrance fee to Amboise Castle

• Children under 7 years old - free of charge
• Entrance ticket - 12.80 euros (adult), 11 euros (student), 8.80 euros (children 7-18 years old), free for children under 7 years old.

Blois Castle (château de Blois)

The castle is located in the center of the city. On its facade, one can trace the development of French architecture from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. and the whole history of the castle building on the Loire. The castle became a royal residence during the reign of Louis XII and for more than a century remained the residence of seven kings and ten queens. Today it is a museum where you can see the interiors of the everyday life of the French Renaissance court and the luxuriously furnished royal apartments. On summer evenings, the castle hosts a laser show - projections on the building accompanied by musical accompaniment.

• How to get to Blois Castle

- by car along the A10 highway (170 km in the direction of Bordeaux, Blois exit) or 180 km along the RN152 highway (Paris-Orleans-Blois);

- by train from Paris from the Austerlitz station to the Blois station (on the way 1 h. 25 m., tickets from 10 euros), the castle in 8-10 min. walk from the station. .

• Opening hours of the castle of Blois

• Entrance fee to the castle of Blois

• Children under 6 years old - free of charge
• Entrance ticket - 12 euros (adult), 9.50 euros (student), 6.50 euros (children 6-17 years old)
• Audio guide - 3 euros

Cheverny Castle (château de Cheverny)

Château de Cheverny was designed by Jacques Bougy commissioned by Heinrich Hureaux de Cheverny and his wife in 1624-1630. The decoration of the castle was completed by their daughter, Elizabeth. The castle has always been privately owned by the descendants of Cheverny and was opened to the public in 1922. The castle is famous for its rich interiors, tapestries and art.

• How to get to Cheverny Castle

– by car along the A10 motorway (190 km in the direction of Bordeaux, exit Blois);

— by train from Paris from the Austerlitz station to the station (Blois) (on the way 1 h. 25 m., tickets from 10 euros), from there to the castle by bus for 6 euros round trip.

• Opening hours of the Cheverny castle

• Cost of visiting Cheverny Castle

• Children under 7 years old - free admission to the castle and park
• Castle + park - 12 euros (adult), 9 euros (children 7-14 years old, students under 25 years old)

Chateau d'Usse

The castle enjoys worldwide fame: it was he who inspired Charles Perrault to write The Sleeping Beauty. The construction of the building combines two styles. The first part was built in the 15th century, when the medieval style with gothic elements dominated. The castle was completed in the 16th-17th centuries, when the Renaissance and classicism prevailed. The gardens of the castle were planned by the famous Le Nôtre (the royal gardener of Louis XIV, the author of the royal gardens and parks in).

• How to get to Usse Castle

– by car along the A10 highway, free parking at the castle;

- by train from Paris from Austerlitz or Montparnasse station to Tours station (1-2 hours on the way. Tickets from 15 euros), from there to the castle by bus.

• Usé Castle opening hours

• The cost of visiting the castle of Youse

• Adults (over 16 years old) - 14 euros
• Children (8-16 years old) - 4 euros
• Children under 8 years old - free of charge
• Audio guide - 3 euros

Sully-sur-Loire castle (château de Sully-sur-Loire)

This castle was built towards the end of the 14th century. on the banks of the Loire. The building consists of a donjon by the architect Raymond du Temple, commissioned by the Tremoy family, and a 15th-century "small castle". From the outside, the castle looks like a real medieval fortress. Every year the castle hosts an international classical music festival. About 60 thousand tourists a year visit this chateau.

• How to get to Sully-sur-Loire castle

- by car on the A10 motorway, exit Orléans Nord, direction Montargis, then Châteauneuf-sur-Loire;

— by train from Paris from the Austerlitz station to the Orléans station (on the way 1 hour tickets from 10 euros), from there to the castle by bus. .

• Opening hours of the castle of Sully-sur-Loire

February-April, October-December: Sat., Sun. – 10.00 – 12.00 and 14.00 – 17.00; on Tue – Fri.: 13.30 – 17.30; on Mondays and December 25 - a day off.

May, June, September: 10.00 – 18.00; Monday - day off

July-August: 10.00 – 18.00

• Cost of visiting Sully-sur-Loire castle

• Adults (over 18 years old) - 8 euros
• Children (6-17 years old) and students (under 25 years old) - 5 euros
• Children under 6 years old - free of charge
• Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children over 6 years old) - 22 euros

Chaumont Castle

The castle is located between Blois and Amboise, on a hill above the Loire Valley, offering magnificent views. By order of the king in 1465, the former Chaumont castle was razed to the ground. Reconstructed by order of Pierre d'Amboise, then his son and grandson. The architecture is a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance. Today, the property stretches over 30 hectares and consists of a castle, stables and a park. Every year during the warm season, the International Garden Festival is held here. The castle also organizes exhibitions of contemporary art under the theme "Art and Nature" and photo exhibitions.

• How to get to Chaumont Castle

- by train from Paris Austerlitz station (change in Orleans) or Montparnasse (change in Tours) to Onzain station (on the way 1 h. 40 m. tickets from 10 euros). .

• Opening hours of the Chaumont castle

The castle is closed on January 1st and December 25th. It opens for visitors at 10.00, and the closing hour depends on the season. Check information on Chaumont Chateau official website.

• Entrance fee to Chaumont Castle

• Adult - 18 euros (25.04 - 03.11) / 14 euros the rest of the year
• For youth 12-18 years old - 12 euros (25.04 - 03.11) / 8 euros for the rest of the year
• Children (6-11 years old) - 6 euros (25.04 - 03.11) / 4 euros for the rest of the year
• Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children over 12 years old) - 36 euros / 28 euros
• Audio guide (available in Russian) - 4 euros
• Children under 6 free of charge

Castle of the Dukes of Brittany (château des ducs de Bretagne)

The castle of the Dukes of Breton is located in the city of Nantes, consists of a fortress wall of the 15th century. and various buildings of the 14th-18th centuries. Initially, the castle was the residence of the Dukes of Breton, then passed into the possession of the French kings. At the same time, it was both a fortress, and the location of the governor of Nantes, and a state prison, and a treasury. In 1915, the castle passed into the possession of the city of Nantes and became a tourist attraction. In 1990 - 2007 a large-scale reconstruction of buildings took place, now the museum of the history of Nantes is located here.

• How to get to the castle of the Dukes of Breton

- by car from Paris along the A11 highway;

- by train from Paris from Austerlitz or Montparnasse station to Nantes station (2-2.5 hours on the way. Tickets from 16 euros). ;

- in Nantes - by tram number 1 to the Arrêt Duchesse Anne stop; bus number 4.

• Lock operation modeBreton dukes

• Courtyard, fortress wall and garden are open 8.30 - 19.00 daily; in July-August - until 20.00.
• Castle, museum and exhibitions: 10.00 – 18.00; Monday is a day off. In July August it is open seven days a week until 19.00.
• The castle is closed on January 1st, May 1st, November 1st and December 25th.

• Entrance fee to the castle of the Dukes of Breton

• The courtyard, fortress wall and gardens are free to visit.
• The first Sunday of every month, except July-August, admission to the museum is free for everyone.
• Adult ticket - 8 euros
• For youth 18-25 years old - 5 euros
• Free for under 18s

http://www.chateaunantes.fr/fr

Azay-Le-Rideau Castle (château d'Azay-Le-Rideau)

A gem of the French Renaissance, Azay-le-Rideau was built during the reign of Francis I, commissioned by Gilles Berthelot, mayor of Tours and treasurer of the king. The castle is located on an island, surrounded by greenery and incorporated all the innovative ideas of Italian architecture of that time, combined with the skills of French masters. This is one of the most beautiful castles of the Loire in terms of the wealth and luxury of furniture, interior decoration, and a collection of paintings.

• How to get to Azay-le-Rideau castle

- by car from Tours, take the D751 highway towards Chinon, exit 11; from Poitiers - highway N10 to Sainte Maur (Sainte Maure), then the road D760 and D57 to Azay-le-Rideau;

- by train from Paris from Austerlitz or Montparnasse station to Azay-le-Rideau station (transfer in Tours) (2.5 hours on the way, tickets from 32 euros). .

• Azay-le-Rideau castle opening hours

• Entrance fee to Azay-le-Rideau castle

• Adult ticket - 10.50 euros
• For youth 18-25 years old - 8.50 euros
• Free for persons under 18 years of age.
• Audio guide - 3 euros

http://www.azay-le-rideau.fr/

Chateau de Viandry(Château de Villandry)

The castle is located 15 km from the city of Tura. Famous for its magnificent gardens, restored by Joachim Carvallo and his wife Anne Coleman. The mention of the castle is found in 1189, it was in it that Henry II Plantagenet, king of England, admitted his defeat to the French king Philip Augustus. In 1532, the old castle-fortress was demolished by the new owner, Jean le Breton, and a chateau was built in its place, which we see to this day. It was the last of the large castles built on the banks of the Loire during the Renaissance. The gardens of the Viandry Castle are a reconstruction based on old texts about French regular gardens of the 14th century. The gardens are divided into four terraces: an upper terrace with a sunny garden (created in 2008); then a water garden, surrounded by a hedge of lindens; terrace with an ornamental garden of clipped boxwood and yew bushes; finally, an internal terrace with an ornamental vegetable garden. The ensemble also features a hedge maze; "simple" garden - a plot with aromatic and medicinal herbs, traditional for the Middle Ages; "Forest" with flower terraces around the greenhouse and a beautiful pavilion of the XVIII century.

Various events are held in the castle and gardens throughout the year. The program can be found at castle site.

You can find out more information about the castle using the official (there are versions in English and French) - Villandry.

• How to get to the Chateau de Viandry

From Paris:

• By car (240 km): Highway A10, exit 24 (Joué-lès-Tours), then A85 towards Saumur, exit 8 Villandry;
• by train from Gare Montparnasse (on the way 55 min.) to Tours or Saint-Pierre-des-Corps station, then by taxi / bus / bicycle. .

From Tour:

• Bus number 32 runs from the Fac 2 Lions stop to Viandry Center (check the schedule on the website of the transport company)(one-way ticket costs 1.70 euros, for 2 trips - 3.10 euros; can be bought from the bus driver);

The castle is open from 9.00 (February 4 - November 12), from 9.30 (during the Christmas holidays); before

• 16.30 January 1-2;
• 17.00 February 4-29 and October 29-November 12;
• 17.30 March 1-25;
• 18.00 March 26 - June 30 and September 1 - October 28;
• 18.30 July 1 - August 31.

• Entrance fee to Château de Viandry

Chateau and gardens:

• Adult - 11 euros
• 8-18 years old and students under 26 years old (on presentation of a student card) - 7 euros
• Up to 8 years - free of charge

Gardens only:

• Adult - 7 euros
• 8-18 years old and students under 26 years old (on presentation of a student ID) - 5 euros
• In winter (November 14 - March 31) there are discounts.
• For free for children under 8 years old.

Audio guide(available in Russian) - 4 euros.

a selection of useful services and sites for the traveler.

Examined, it's time to expand the scope of travel by going to the castles of the Loire.

They got their definition by the name of the longest river in France (1012 km) - the Loire, originating on Mount Gerbier-de-Jon in the south of the country, and flowing into Atlantic Ocean in the north.

The main water stream and the numerous tributaries that branch off from it became an attractive place for the construction of estates among kings and nobles even in the Middle Ages.

Today, along the riverbed, there are 76 chateaus of various sizes, shapes and degrees of preservation, and some even remain in a state of picturesque ruins.

Of course, the Loire Valley is too large to inspect it at least fleetingly in a short time, so let's focus on especially popular routes where they are organized.

This is one of the largest and most famous palaces in the valley. Francis I ordered to build it, wanting to be closer to his beloved Countess Turi. Construction lasted from 1519-1547, and although the architect is not known for certain, some studies point to da Vinci himself. True, he did not live until the moment of laying the rosette stone for only a few months, and the Italian architect Bokkador was already working with the construction plan left by him.

Chambord Castle is a striking example of the Renaissance, surrounded by lush forest vegetation and reflected in the mirror-like waters of the Beuvron tributary.

It resembles a fortress, and was even built around a donjon tower, although it was never planned as a fort, just a similar style was then popular.

Outside, it is interesting to see a lot of turrets and bell towers, and going inside, in the central part, a spiral staircase immediately draws attention to itself, in which Leonardo's style is guessed. It is constructed from two separate identically curving marches, but at the same time they do not intersect anywhere.

This eliminates the collision of those who go up the stairs with those who go down. On it you can also climb to the upper terrace, also conceived by the great maestro. From there, a wonderful panorama of the surrounding lands opens up from a height. Another platform allows you to admire the chimneys, capitals and walk around the donjon.

In the castle, 77 gracefully curved staircases lead to 426 rooms, most of which have their own fireplace, and 800 pilasters, it is almost a grove, where the tops are decorated with lace ornaments, curls and sculptural compositions.
Among other decorations, there is often an emblem of the king in the form of the letter F topped with a crowned salamander. Sometimes the monogram is turned upside down so that the Almighty can see the greatness of the monarch.

The interior contains many paintings and tapestries depicting hunting, as well as trophies - deer heads on the walls and stuffed animals in glass "enclosures". By the way, the symbol of the adjacent park is a deer and a wild boar, although today the feathered brethren reign in it, numbering at least 100 species.

The outer territory covers 5441 hectares, but only 1000 are available to visitors. This is the largest European fenced forest park, surrounded by a wall 32 km.
Although the castle was built with enthusiasm, Francis was an infrequent guest in it, and the subsequent owners were not very interested in the estate, and it was often donated or rented out.

So, Louis XV in the middle of the XVIII century. allowed the legendary Count Saint-Germain to settle here, and he set up a laboratory in it, where during alchemical experiments he tried to get the Philosopher's Stone. They say he succeeded in the end.

The estate began to be turned into a tourist site in 1947, and in 1981 it became the property of UNESCO, however, like all other castles of the Loire Valley.

The initial version of the palace was built for the Angevin count Fulk Nerra, but the version that we see was born in 1492 on the orders of Charles VIII, and under him the first regular Italian-style garden arose, where geometry, symmetry and thoughtful green compositions reign .

This chateau is also closely connected with the name of King Francis I and Leonardo da Vinci. The monarch warmly treated the possessions, because it belonged to his mother. He settled the great master in the nearby castle of Cloux, and the choice was partly made because of the hidden underground connection between him and Amboise, through which he could move without attracting unnecessary glances. Here Leonardo completed his Mona Lisa, and after his death in 1519 he was buried in the chapel of St.. Hubert at the castle.

When Francis I died, a young couple moved here - Henry II with Catherine de Medici. In it they raised their children and daughter-in-law Mary Stuart. Here Francis II hid from the Huguenots, but the vendetta awaited the conspirators within these walls.

Amboise Castle is an example of international Gothic, which is characterized by exaltation, exquisite sophistication and colorful decor. This is a real fortress with massive masonry, and although it is only a tenth of what has managed to survive to this day, the chateau still admires its medieval beauty.

Inside are fine collections of ancient tapestries, Gothic pieces of furniture and many portraits of a string of rulers.

In the common people, it is also called the "ladies' castle." He reminds fairy palace where the sonorous voices of carefree princesses are heard, and the ancient donjon tower suggests Rapunzel, imprisoned at the very top by an evil witch. However, the Shenonson estate has many personal stories - romantic, intriguing, fatal.

The date of its foundation is considered to be 1411, but then it was a military fortress, and it began to change a century later under Thomas Boye, who destroyed almost everything except the central tower. Restoration work required significant capital investments, and in order to remind posterity of this, the owner of the estate ordered to engrave his initials (T.V.K.) and the epitaph: “Whoever comes here someday, let him think of me.”

After the death of Thomas and his wife, the castle of Chenonceau was inherited by their son, but soon lost possessions due to financial difficulties, and Francis I confiscated them. era.

Under Diana, a garden and a stone bridge across the river appeared, but when the estate returned to the royal family, Catherine de Medici loved to arrange magnificent holidays in it. The decor has also changed - fountains, arches, columns, obelisks, statues and a landscaped park appeared. But all the celebrations ended when the queen died.

From time to time something changed in the castle - one of its wings turned into a Capuchin monastery, in 1733 Madame Dupin opened a fashionable salon, a small theater and a physical study. During the First World War, a hospital was located here, and during the Second World War - a partisan headquarters.

Although today the majestic building is privately owned, it is open to the public. You will visit Diana's garden, see the oldest building of the estate - the donjon, standing on the corner of the Front Court.

The drawbridge opens the entrance to the first floor, where the Hall of the Guards and the Green are located, and on the second tier - the apartments of Diane de Poitiers, the State Room and the "five queens" (named after two queens and three brides), the chambers of Charles of Vandom and Catherine de Medici.

During the tour, you will also be shown the royal kitchen with copper utensils and a huge skewer. It is also interesting to visit the office premises, where once there were stables, a silkworm factory, and in the museum of wax figures - the "Ladies' Gallery", the frozen figures of crowned persons continue to participate in important matters. And of course, you will be interested in the green part of the territory - an old farm, a flower garden with 130 different plants, a labyrinth of yews and caryatids, and a large meadow.

Above the colorful bend of the river Indre rises the magical castle of Azay-le-Rideau. It is not spoiled by crowds of tourists, and therefore looks like a tasty morsel for those who dream of enjoying a masterpiece of the Renaissance in relative solitude.

Built in 1510 by the treasurer of Francis I on the site of an old 12th-century estate, it remembers the first owner, Rideau d'Azey, so cruel that he was nicknamed "the child of the devil."

Dumas was in love with this castle, whose heroes built intrigues, intrigues and relationships within its walls. Balzac was also not indifferent to him, comparing him in the novel “Lily in the Valley” with a skillfully cut diamond, set in the clear waters of Indre.

Blois castle

This is the largest palace of the Loire Valley, which once served as a royal residence. The lion's share of the estate was built in the 15th century. under the Dukes of Orleans, and Claude, the daughter of Louis XII and the wife of Francis I, gave him decoration in the late Renaissance style. However, after her death, her husband left the chateau, and it remained unfinished.

The dark side of the estate is also revealed to visitors. With the help of his bodyguards, King Henry III dealt with Henry of Guise and his brother the cardinal here, and two weeks later Catherine de Medici died, leaving her cache of poisons to her own devices, and they will definitely show it to you. And Louis XIII sent his own mother, Marie de Medici, into exile here.

The castle of Blois finally got its face in the 19th century under Louis Philippe, and now everyone can see it in all its glory.

Tours of the Loire Castles from Paris

If you have enough time at your disposal, subscribing for 2-3 days will be even more interesting.

Of course, in this case, you are deprived of freedom of action, but on the other hand, you will gain a lot of fascinating information about architectural masterpieces, their owners, and what events took place in different periods of history.

Tourists are transported by a comfortable bus from one hall to another, and in the cabin they are entertained with funny stories, so that the trip will become bright and memorable.

The cost of such a tour depends on the route, the number of people in the group and the vehicle. For microgroups of 4-8 persons, the price is approximately 95 euros per person. In individual excursions for 1-6 people - about 500-600 euros per group. Although it turns out to be more expensive, it is possible to adjust the trip by adding something new to it.

In an organized trip, the toll is already included in the payment, but the entrance to each castle can become a separate fee (9-15 euros) or be part of the total amount. It often also includes lunch at a restaurant. If you have to stay overnight in a hotel, the price will go up even more.

On site, tourists are given a bit of freedom to independently wander through the halls and take photos. Often, for a change, the program includes visits to wineries with a tasting of a local product.

Ordering a trip is not a problem, because on the Internet many agencies offer their services through their own websites, flavoring them with promotions, bonuses and tempting additions, just to interest you.

Excursion to the Castles of the Loire on your own

Many people prefer to visit the castles of the Loire on their own, which also has its advantages. The main one is complete freedom of action.

To get to your destination, you can use public transport or take it, especially since there should be no problems with orientation on the ground, because all the castles of the Loire are marked on the map of France.

Castles of the Loire on the map

From Paris to Blois and Tours, trains depart from Gare Austerlitz. Tickets cost about 30 euros, and you will spend 2 hours on the road.

You can also leave Gare Montparnasse on the TGV high-speed train and be in Tours in an hour.

There is also a choice at the stations - to go further on a rented car or on buses that run between the castles on schedule and cost up to 10 euros, and the bus ticket itself gives you the opportunity to get a discount on entrance to the palaces.

For information, audio guides are provided to visitors in a language they understand.

True, it cannot be said that you will save a lot on an individual trip, especially if you choose the option of renting a car that you need to fill up and pay for parking. Adding up the cost of the train in both directions, food (15-20 euros per person), the cost of the bus and hotel accommodation (55-80 euros), it turns out not such a small sum.

But when no one pushes you, you can completely dissolve in the atmosphere of medieval royal life, imagine the rustle of fluffy ladies' skirts, the gnashing of knightly armor, the clatter of heels and a mysterious whisper in the dark back streets of the palace.

The imagination is especially violent when there are no crowds of tourists nearby. This happy moment falls in the morning hours (until 11:00), when the first buses with groups led by guides have not yet arrived.

Loire castles allow you to travel through time. Each is a beautiful jewel, born by the will of man, and retaining the spirit of that time, when luxury was demonstrated on a grand scale.

Among the sights of France, the area in the Loire River Valley is very popular among tourists. There is a whole complex of castles, palace buildings built in the Renaissance. A huge area of ​​​​800 km2 was called the Loire Valley, in honor of the name of the river. Monuments of French architecture amaze travelers with a variety of styles and grandeur of buildings.

10 castles of the Loire - history attractions

The proximity to the French capital - Paris, attracted kings and aristocrats to the Loire Valley. The courtiers, who accompanied the head of state everywhere, also acquired luxurious real estate here. Thus, about 300 castles were built in the region, which are now available to tourists from all over the world.

Loire Valley France

Each of the castles is a real work of architectural art, but even a week is not enough to visit all of them. Therefore, tourists stop looking at the 10 most popular, outstanding among the rest of the castles. They are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How to get to the castles of the Loire in France

The easiest option is to book an excursion to the castles of the Loire from Paris. A visit to 3-4 castles is designed for 1 day, it will cost a tourist 130-150 euros *. The advantage of a sightseeing tour is a precisely verified route, immersion in history with the help of a guide.

Castles of the Loire France

You can get there on your own by taking a train heading to the nearest city from the desired castle in Paris or Nice. There are also buses on the excursion routes.

Castles of the Loire on the map of France and the valley of the Loire river

Chambord castle France

The construction of this castle is associated with the name of the French king - Francis I. For its construction, he used the construction project drawn up by Leonardo da Vinci himself. Over the centuries, the castle has become a favorite royal residence.

The historical monument is open to tourists at any time of the year. The ticket will cost 11 euros per person. Entrance is open from 9:00 to 17:00.

Of all the attractions of the Loire Valley, Chambord Castle is the most famous. And not in vain. It has more than 400 rooms, an extensive forest park, used in the past for hunting by kings and nobles. Getting to the territory of the castle, it may seem that this is a whole ancient city living its own life.

On the adjacent territory there are several additional attractions for tourists:

• A boat trip along the canal costs 14 euros per person.
• Equestrian performance. You can see it only for 5 months: from May to September. The entrance fee is 9.5 euros per adult and 7 euros per child.
• Night light show.From 9 to 11 pm, an amazing performance begins on the castle grounds, combining the play of light and musical accompaniment. It will cost 13 euros per ticket.

Chateau de Chenonceau castle

Experienced tourists have laid out the cheapest route by which you can get to the sights on your own. From Paris, you need to take a bus that goes to the city of Tours. The ticket costs from 8 to 16 euros. Arriving at your destination, you need to take the train to Chenonceau, the ticket for which costs 14 euros.

Entrance to the castle grounds will cost the same, for children and adults -10 euros. Children under 7 years old are admitted free of charge. The schedule of visits is floating, it changes depending on the time of the year. In summer, it is open from 9:30 to 20:00. In the cold season from 9:30 to 17:00.

Chenonceau is located on the purest river, flower gardens stretch around and at the entrance. The inner chambers amaze with splendor.

On the territory of the complex there is a souvenir boutique with tourist accessories, printed publications, jewelry.

Blois castle

The huge building combines the style of late Gothic and Renaissance. Many royal dynasties, eminent noble families are connected with its history, take only the Medici and Orleans.

You can get to the castle on your own by train. In Paris, you need to take the train station Austerlitz, the ticket costs 11 euros. They get off at the Blois stop and after 9 minutes they are already at the sights.

By car, they drive along the RN 152 highway, stopping at Blois station.

Entrance to the territory of the royal building will cost 8.5 euros per adult, 4 euros per child. Children under 6 years old are admitted free of charge.

Amboise castle

Passing from one French ruler to another, Amboise is best known for the residence of Leonardo da Vinci. Here is his burial place. During the revolution, most of the building was destroyed. After restoration and repair, tourists can see only its 10th part.

Entrance to the attraction will cost 12 euros for an adult, 7.5 euros for a child over 7 years old.

Azay-le-Rideau castle

The building erected on the skeleton in the past played the role of a fortress. She was supposed to protect Tours from military incursions. In modern times, Azay-le-Rideau is surrounded by a traditional English park, and there is a museum in the chambers.

Entry prices:

• Adult ticket - 6.5 euros.
• Children under 18 years old are admitted free of charge.

Usse Castle

The building combines different architectural styles: Renaissance, Classicism, Gothic elements. The distinctive highlight of the historical monument are its gardens, they are the most beautiful in the entire Loire Valley in France.

Youse is open from 10:00 to 18:00 (19:00 from March to September). Children under 8 years old can visit it for free. Adult ticket will cost 14 euros

Sully-sur-Loire castle

The building is located in the center of the Loire department. The structure survived several fires, was subjected to restructuring, changes. In the inner chambers, visitors can see a large collection of tapestries and paintings. The land of the castle is surrounded by a water channel.

Ticket price:

• Adult - 8 euros.
• Children's 5 euros.

Sully-sur-Loire

Castle Sumor

So medieval fortress offers stunning views of the Loire Valley in France. In the inner chambers you will not find traditional luxury, instead, an arsenal of weapons to protect the city. Famous vineyards spread in the area. In the full sense, they are not engaged in winemaking, rather, this is a way to attract tourists. However, it is definitely worth holding a few tastings, trying the local French wine.

The attraction is open only in summer. Entrance for children under 7 years old is free, adults will cost 6-7 euros (as of October 2018).

Clos Lusset Castle

A modest building of small size attracts visitors with one fact - Leonardo da Vinci lived here. Within these walls, he finished painting his famous painting "La Gioconda". A dovecote, a small chapel of Queen Anne of Brittany adjoins the white-rose building.

On the territory of the park adjacent to the castle, you can look at the paintings of the master, the inventions of Leonardo da Vinci, created according to his drawings.

Ticket price:

• Adults - 14 euros.
• Children - 10 euros.

Clos Lusset

Brissac Palace

The luxurious building, built in the 11th century by the Count of Anjou, is associated with a legend about a ghost living in its walls - a lady in a green dress. This is Charlotte of France, convicted of infidelity and killed by her husband back in the 15th century. The owners of the building, the de Brissac family, are not surprised by the ghost, but it attracts tourists from all over the world.

The castle can rightly be called a palace, it is the highest in the Loire Valley, consists of 7 floors. Interior decoration includes period furniture, tapestries, ornate ceilings and wall-to-wall paintings.

During the tour, tourists are offered to taste wine, because the most famous winery of the Valley is located here. Tasting is included in the price of the entrance ticket. It costs 10 euros for adults and 4.5 euros for children. Under 8 years old admission is free.

Interesting to know! Most of the castles of the Loire are owned by private individuals who have opened access for tourists to visit them. This is due to the wealth tax in France, which is significantly reduced with such charity.

• The main cities that people get to from Paris to see the largest number of Loire castles are Blois and Tours. They get there by train or bus. Buses depart only on weekdays, excluding summer time.
• An independent trip instead of a guided tour will cost at least two times cheaper. To learn the history of each attraction, you can purchase an audio guide at the entrance in any desired language, including Russian. It will cost from 2 to 5 euros.
• The price of excursions from Russian tour operators is much more expensive than from French ones. With the exception of discounts provided for hot tours.
• On the territory of most castles there are hotels, rooms in which can be booked on the website in advance. Prices are relatively high, at least 50-90 euros per night.

Located on the Atlantic coast, the Loire is famous for its silky sand, golf courses, and unique atmosphere. However, the Loire Valley (France) is a real calling card.

*Prices are current as of October 2018.