The Loire Valley
is best known for its numerous Chateaux. Half fortresses, half pleasure
palaces, they dot the countryside. Here are a few of the best, listed west to
east.
Chateau de Samur is the medieval castle
of Dukes of Anjou
houses museums on decorative arts and horse-riding. Chinon was built by Henry
II and was his favorite residence on the continent. It was also the place where
Joan of Arc first recognized the Dauphin among hundreds of courtiers as the
true heir to France.
The Chateau d’Usse is believed to have inspired the story of Sleeping Beauty. Villandry
is a renaissance jewel that overlooks perfect formal gardens. Loches is well known for having the deepest
dungeons of any chateau in the Loire Valley. Chenonceau
was the favorite residence of Catherine de Medici and was where Mary Queen of
Scots married her son Francis II. Amboise started as a home to the Dukes of Anjou and
then became a royal residence. Blois was another royal castle in the early 16th
Century, having been transformed from a stark fortress into a beautiful
gay and luminous castle. Cheverny is
said to have invented the French Style in 1630-1640. .Château de
Cheverny’s design was inspired by the Luxembourg Palace in Paris. Chambord was
a favorite retreat of Louis XIV. Begun in the early 16th Century, it
seems to have been influenced by Leonardo de Vinci who lived in France at the time.
Visiting the Loire
The Loire Valley is about two hours away by road and less
time by rail from Paris. One should devote several days to visiting the area, to get the
full extent of the treasures it has to offer.