French
kings had settled in the Loire valley since the Middle Age.
Little by little, strongholds had become magnificent castles
of the Renaissance, which had been restored during the 17th
and 18th centuries. These castles tell about the suprising
history of the great kingdom of France. You will find there,
still lively, the enchanting charm
of this fabulous past. Discover our examples
of packages in the Loire Valley.
The
Chambord castle, pinnacle
of the Renaissance, lighted up the reign of King François
the First. It combined the dream of King François the First
with the imagination of Leonardo
da Vinci, who has lived at Clos Lucé, in Amboise
for many years. The result is a real "mathematisation" of
architecture ,a grandiose creation: 440 rooms ,a fabulous
double staircase ,a unique roof terrace.
The
Blois Castle, capital
of the kingdom for a short time (1498-1595), was stirred
by the last starts of the Valois dynasty.
The
Chenonceau Castle,
the "Château des dames", is built on a bridge across the
river Cher. King Henri II gave it to his favorite, Diane
de Poitiers.
The
Azay le Rideau Castle
,one of the purest creation of the Renaissance, was built
on an island of the Indre River ,ideal setting for an architectural
jewel.
The
Montsoreau castle,
situated in one of the most beautiful village of France,
is registered as World heritage by the UNESCO.
Let's
not forget the religious patrimony with the royal abbey
of Fontevraud, founded
in 1101, which was before the Revolution the richest and
most important monastery in France. In fact, there are so
much castles that being exhaustive is nearly impossible.
Moreover,
castles do not constitute the whole richness of the Loire
Valley. Firstly, there are incredible troglodyte houses
near Saumur. Secondly,
nature of the Loire valley is beautiful and generous. Some
of the best gardeners have magnificently tamed this nature
in gardens as at Villandry,
in labyrinths and still do with the gardens festival of
Chaumont-sur-Loire.
Thirdly,
Finally, the Loire valley is an area of good food and wines. This is not a coincidence if Rabelais,
author of "Gargantua" and "Pantagruel", was born there.
Actually, there are great red and white wines and succulent
food specialities as shad, pike, rillettes.
Besides
Montsoreau, some of the most
beautiful villages of France are nearby: Candes-Saint-Martin,
Crissay-sur-Manse,
Montresor: they are perfect
places to stay for your trip to the Loire Valley Castles.
