Center

Azay-Le-Rideau

This is rated as one of the most scene château in the Loire Valley.

It sits in it private lake and inside there are paintings, furniture and tapestries to view.

We enjoyed our stop here.

Blois

Located 181 km from Paris, Blois was one of stops on my first tours of France. For my first visit to the Loire Valley I traveled from Paris by Blois by train. Easy and quick. I then booked the numerous bus tours available to visit "three châteaux a day". By having Blois as my base and staying in this town from a number of days it was my first introduction of the difference of being in France and traveling through France. The local cheese shop got to know me and my limited French. By the third visit they were bringing out cheeses that were not in the case to try. On later trips Blois would again be a stop and it is an easy city to drive into with a car and then travel the area. If you are there in the spring, Blois is known for the asparagus grown in the area.

The château is interesting to visit in the day. See the Catherine de Medici apartments with furniture and tapestries. On some evenings they play music and light up the château and do a sort of play with lights in rooms going on and off in conjunction with a recount of some of the events.

Chambord


The spires and pinnacles of the roof.	The towers of the keep and the wall.
		A former hunting lodge, it was rebuilt in 1519. It follows the plan of a feudal château with a central keep with four towers and a wall enclosing the château, it was inspired by Saint Peter's in Rome. There are 440 rooms. See the chapel and the King's Apartments.
A grand feeling in this château.	You can walk along the roof.

Grand Escalier

Cconstruction, under Francois I, began in 1519 and was completed much later by Henri II, Charles IX and Henri III. Some 1,800 to 2,000 men worked on the construction during the time of Francois I. This is a castle of many owners but a permanent residence to none. Francois I lived in the palace for only six months. There was always someone there, as Kings used Chambord as a retreat or as a hunting lodge. As to the architect, it is not know. Some say Leonardo da Vinci, who at the time was living at the Clos Lucé in nearby Amboise, made some of the plans and models. But, it could also be the work of Domenico da Cortona, and Italian architect, who designed somewhat similar palaces.

Its big, there are 440 rooms, 365 fireplace, 13 great staircases. The stables can house 1,200 horses.

Chambord actually was almost demolished after the French Revolution. In 1793 all of its the furnishings were dispersed. Luckily for us, the State took over in 1947 and commenced restoration work.

Chenonceaux

And women say men don't listen! Diane de Poiter, the mistress of Henri II suggested a five-arched bridge across the river Cher. That started it all. Later, when Henri II died, Catherine de Medici made Diane give up Chenonceaux for the Château Chaumont and had the grand gallery built on the bridge.

The château was built in 1515. The keep, the front section was actually part of a previous manor was was dismantled to build the new château. This is a very pleasant château to visit. Walking along a gravel roadway lined with plane trees the front of the château greets you but you do not see the impact of the gallery over the river until you walk along the river so you can get a view. The kitchens are down in the archways below the building and worth have a look at. All that food that had to be carried up!

Cheverny

Built between 1604 to 1634 this château has been in the Hurault family for more than 400 years. The viscount's family still lives on the third floor. Luckily Cheverny was not sacked during the French Revolution. So go and enjoy the furnishings of this château and the dogs. Hundreds of dogs will meet you along the fences.

If you can be there at 5:00 it is dinner time and the noise of the dogs barking for their food... they know what time it is.. is incredible. I was amazed at the incredible discipline of the dogs. They must stay in their place while the food is being put out. No one moves until they get the command.

Yes this is a hunting place and see the trophy room as it has more than one thousand antlers and the heads of five wild boar.

Chinon

The streets of the town down by the river have a medieval flavor. The ruined château is up on a rock spur above the town. You can walk through parts of the château.

Ussé

Every château has a history, and for this, Charles Perrault, author of Mother Goose, was inspired by this château to write Sleeping Beauty.

Built in the 15th Century it is part château part fortress.

We found the inside to be a little too much over the top and touristry but when you cross the road and walk along the canal there is a great view. This is where we met a couple and their children - Le Gouëffs - we have been friends ever since. We have visited them in France on more than one occasion. They, traveled to Canada and drove through the Rockies and toured the Inside Passage of the West Coast. Yes, I think there is something magical about Château Ussé.

Villandry

This château is know for its gardens and that is what led us for a visit. The formal gardens, including the herb and vegetable garden boxes were of some interest to me, Karen enjoyed them more, but I think there are other château that would be of greater general interest.