Sights of the Loire Valley. Loire Valley in winter

The Loire Valley has an enviable location in central France and direct proximity to the capital. For six centuries, the residences of the richest Parisian people were built here. Stunning natural beauty, combined with a rich history and a variety of architectural masterpieces, make the valley attractive to various categories of tourists.

The castles of the Loire Valley are the main highlight of this area. The number of ancient buildings reaches three hundred, but only 42 palaces are the most popular - however, this number is large enough to visit them all in one trip. During your holiday, do not miss the opportunity to get acquainted with the gastronomic traditions of the region. In the Loire Valley, it's common to dine on oysters, and for a snack, choose toast with goat cheese and pate. For lunch, grab a glass of young white wine from the Royal Garden of France.

Cycling through the Loire Valley is the most pleasant and comfortable way to travel. It is pleasant because of the surrounding landscapes, and comfort is ensured, first of all, by the flat landscape, as well as a developed network of special paths and rental points. Bicycle paths are not located along highways, but separately, through fields, which makes such movement around the region also calm and environmentally friendly. Copyright www.site

Stay in Blois or Tours - the cities are optimal as starting points for visiting the palaces. The stone town of Blois is cozy and also has its own castle, moreover, the largest in the Loire Valley! The tour is larger, built up with old half-timbered houses. From the city it is convenient to get to the famous castles of Chenonceau, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau, Chinon. For complete happiness, stay not in a classic hotel, but in a castle. Of course, sewerage, hot water supply and air conditioning will not allow you to fully immerse yourself in the Middle Ages, but this is even a plus! Now let's take a closer look at some of the castles.

The fabulous place of Chambord is a palace that, during the five centuries of its existence, was inhabited only for twenty years. Chambord was mainly used for hunting and temporary entertainment, so the interior of the castle will not offer travelers anything unusual to explore. However, it is definitely worth admiring the huge residence from the outside.

Amboise is a historically valuable residence, because the lives of Charles the Eighth, Louis the Twelfth, Francis the First and Leonardo Da Vinci are connected with it. The latter spent the last years of his life here. The main must-see here is the chapel of St. Hubert, decorated with “lace” made of stone. However, other parts of the castle are also beautiful: visit the Royal House itself, whose façade faces the river valley, the Gyurto Tower and the Minim Tower.

The castles of the Loire are one of the must-see attractions in France. The real masterpieces of the Renaissance, which are scattered along the banks of one of the largest rivers in the country - the Loire. I dreamed of visiting them even before I moved to live in France. The first time I learned about them was from the novels of Alexandre Dumas - “The Countess de Monsoreau” (the Montsoreau castle actually exists, too, in the Loire Valley), “The Two Dianas”, etc.

We went on a tour of the Loire castles in winter, in January. Winter in France is like late Russian autumn, so it wasn't that cold. And the gray castles fit perfectly into the local landscape. I could only admire the genius of those people who built them.

They are located in the Loire Valley - an area of ​​the country that is of great interest to tourists. In addition to world-famous castles, there are also some of the best vineyards in the whole country. We passed by many of them. The wines from this region are beyond words. You need to try them to appreciate their mild taste and sweet aftertaste.

I have the most pleasant memories from the region itself. The wide banks of the Loire with sparse trees along the edges, wide green fields, majestic castle walls suddenly appearing among the city landscapes - that's what I saw.

According to the new administrative reform of France in 2014, the official name of the region is Center - Loire Valley. It includes such large cities as Orleans, Blois, Tours.

The region is located in the very center of France, from where it takes about 2 hours to get to Paris. It's internal. It is landlocked, unlike most of them.

This region amazes with its green meadows and stretching vineyards along them. It's not that cold there in winter. The advantage of visiting it out of season is that you won't have to deal with the crowds of tourists who flood it from May to September.

How to get there

It is more convenient to get to the Loire Valley from Paris by train, bus or car. There are no large international airports in the region, which means that the option of traveling by plane is not relevant, since the small airport in the city of Tours is focused only on receiving domestic flights. There are no flights even with a transfer from Moscow.

By plane

You can fly to Paris or Nice, from where you will need to travel to the Loire Valley by public transport. I wrote more about air tickets to these cities and what other airports there are in France. You can compare prices for air tickets in the desired direction.

The city of Tours has a regional airport. This is a small air hub where low-cost airlines and charters fly. Ryanair, Airlinair, Air France offer flights there for 18-21 EUR from Paris, Nice, Marseille.

The only airport terminal is located 15-20 minutes from the city, which can be reached by taxi (10-15 EUR) or bus (from 2 EUR) in 15-20 minutes.

By train

Trains depart from Moscow to Paris. There are only two of them:

• 023 - departure from Moscow on Wednesdays at 22:15 and Fridays at 09:33;
• 024 - departure from Moscow on Fridays at 18:58 and Sundays at 11:01.

The travel time will be more than a day. Trains pass through major European cities: , Karlsruhe, etc. Tickets cost from 200 EUR.

From Paris, trains go to the cities of Blois, Tours or Orleans. These are the major cities in the Loire Valley where you can start your journey through the region. In Paris, trains must be boarded at Austerlitz and Montparnasse stations. Travel time will be 2 hours if you choose a regular train, and about an hour if you take a high-speed train (TGV). Tickets cost from 50-100 EUR. To save money, buy them in advance, otherwise the prices may seem astronomical.

By bus

Ecolines buses will take you from Moscow to Paris. Ticket price - from 200 EUR. From there you can take buses from SNCF, Intercités, Alsa, etc. Bus tickets start from 21 EUR. Departure in Paris - from Porte Maillot, Concorde and other metro stations.

I went to the Loire Valley by bus, the cost of which was included in the total price of the excursion. I like it. It was comfortable and our bus was equipped with a composting toilet.

By car

By choosing the option to get to the Loire Valley by car, you will immediately make your trip comfortable and convenient.

In order to travel from Russia by car to the Valley itself, you need to take into account many nuances. I talked about them in more detail in my review. The choice of routes depends on which European countries and what you want to visit during your trip.

A friend of mine in Paris was just traveling with her husband to the castles of the Loire by car. According to her, this is very cool! You can even visit those castles that are usually not included in tourist routes.

From Paris, take the A10 motorway to Orléans. The river running nearby will serve as a guide for you. Drive all the way to Saumur - from there to Blois there are still 150 kilometers. Along the way you will come across many castles of the Loire.

Clue:

Loire Valley - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season? When is the best time to go

I do not advise you to go to the Loire Valley at the height of the tourist season. At this time, crowds of tourists are everywhere. We were there in January and still met other tour groups.
The optimal time to visit is the end and beginning of the season, that is, the beginning of May and the end of September. The sun is still shining, and there are fewer tourists.

Loire Valley in summer

In summer, visiting the Loire Valley is wonderful: flowers bloom in the gardens of the castles, vineyards grow green in the endless meadows along the banks of the river. A beautiful sight!

The temperature during the day reaches 35 °C, and in the evening it drops only a couple of degrees.

Loire Valley in autumn

Autumn evokes a pleasant melancholy in castle parks. The sunny weather is replaced by rain. Clouds hang over the Loire, threatening to rain every hour.

During the day the temperature does not rise above 15 °C, and in the evening it becomes cooler.

Loire Valley in spring

Spring comes already in March. It gradually becomes warmer, and the temperature reaches 20-25 °C.

The clouds are no longer rolling in, but it may still rain.

Loire Valley in winter

In winter in the Valley, I felt like late autumn here in Russia. Rainy, wet, damp, cloudy. As a rule, the temperature is 5-10 °C; rarely it drops to 0 °C. The river still feels cold.

The rains create fogs that spread all around.

Clue:

Loire Valley - weather by month

What are the prices for holidays?

An excursion with a visit to two castles cost me 90 EUR. This price included travel by bus and excursion services. There are excursions to the castles of the Loire lasting from two days or more. They cost more - from 180 EUR. You can go as a savage, but it’s better to do it in your own car. Castles are scattered along the banks of the Loire, and some are located away from the cities.

Staying at a hotel in Blois, Tours or Amboise will cost 30-60 EUR per day. It all depends on what kind of hotel it is. You can compare prices for accommodation and book a room at. And you can find housing that is rented by local residents.

A snack in a restaurant or cafe will cost from 30 EUR per person. If you are going on a tour, take your food with you. It’s cheaper and more convenient: you don’t have to run from the cafe to catch the bus.

Main attractions. What to see

The main attractions of the region are its castles. Many were built in the middle of the Middle Ages or in its late period. With the advent of the Renaissance, which came to France from Italy, castles began to be rebuilt and remodeled. The nobles of that time wanted to conform to that fashion.

Many works were carried out under the direction of Italian architects and artists who came to work in France. The famous Leonardo da Vinci ended his days in one of the Loire castles - in Amboise, working at the court of King Francis I.

Castles belonged to noble nobles, kings or their mistresses and wives. Chenonceau Castle belonged to the mistress of King Henry II - Diane de Poitiers.

Each of them has its own architecture and history. We visited two - Amboise and Chambord.

The second attraction is the vineyards of the Loire. The region's grapes produce excellent rose and red wine.

Numerous museums and abbeys complete this list, but more about them below.

Top 5

Locks. Which ones are worth visiting?

Castles are the hallmark of the Loire Valley! Below I will list 5 of them that are most often visited by tourists. They are also interesting from a historical point of view.

Amboise Castle (Chateau d'Amboise)

The name comes from the name of the first owners - the Amboise family. The current castle building was erected at the end of the 15th century under the leadership of Italian masters. Amboise was also the first castle in France to have a garden built near it.

This was the favorite residence of King Francis I. Leonardo da Vinci, invited by him, finished his “La Gioconda” in the halls of Amboise. This is where he died, so his grave is located in the chapel adjacent to the castle.

During the time of Napoleon III, one of the national heroes of Algeria, Abd al-Qadir, lived in the castle.

The first thing that impressed me about this castle was the height of the walls. They are simply amazing. The castle is located in the city of the same name, Amboise. The main entrance is easy to find - large steps lead up to it. Many chambers inside have been preserved with furniture, tapestries, and paintings.

Next to the castle there is a chapel with the tomb of the Great Leonardo. Inside you can also see magnificent stained glass windows depicting different scenes. An elegant but simple chapel.

A small garden nearby completes the visit.

Operating mode: daily, except January 1 and December 25.

• January 2–31: 09:00 - 12:30 and 14:00 - 16:15;
• February 1–28: 09:00 - 12:30 and 13:30 - 17:00;
• March 1–31: 09:00 - 17:30;
• April 1 - June 30: 09:00 - 18:30;
• July 1 - August 31 - 09:00 - 19:00;
• September 1 - November 1 - 09:00-18:00,
• from November 2 to 15 - 09:00-17:30;
• November 16 - December 24: 09:00 - 12:30 and 14:00 - 16:45;
• December 26 - 31: 09:00 - 16:45.

CTicket prices:

• 11.50 EUR - adult,
• 9.90 EUR - for students,
• 7.70 EUR - for children from 7 to 18 years old.

Castle of Clos-Lucé

This was Leonardo's last home. Here he lived, and came to Amboise to create through a secret passage, which to this day connects both castles. The castle is small, it was built in the Late Middle Ages. His style is called "Flaming Gothic". Inside, the interior of Leonardo's room and several other rooms in the Renaissance style were recreated.

In the park nearby there are inventions recreated according to the drawings of the Great Italian - prototypes of a helicopter, airplane, tank, car, and the like. It is very interesting to wander there and see with your own eyes the genius of this man.

Operating mode: daily, except January 1 and December 25.

• January: 10:00 - 18:00;
• from February to June: 09:00 - 19:00;
• from July to August: 09:00 - 20:00;
• from September to October: 09:00 - 19:00;
• from November to December: 09:00 - 18:00.

Ticket price:

• from March 1 to November 15: 15.50 EUR - adult; children from 7 to 18 years old - 11 EUR and under 7 years old - free.
• From November 16 to February 28: 13.50 EUR - adult; children from 7 to 18 years old - 10.50 EUR and under 7 years old - free.

Chateau de Chambord

Almost all souvenirs dedicated to the castles of the Loire feature this particular castle. It is really very beautiful from the outside. The facade of the building amazes with its unusual grace and harmony of all lines.

Inside there is a remarkable staircase, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. It is located in the main hall of the castle and connects the first floor with the roof. Its unusualness lies in the fact that it is two-way or double. People who go down cannot meet those who go up.

We climbed along it to the roof. From there you have a magnificent view of the park nearby. It’s also pleasant to walk there because you can see all the small details of the roofs up close. It's very beautiful there!

In the castle itself, most of the rooms and chambers are empty. Only a few of them are furnished. If you turn right on the ground floor, you will see luxurious apartments in the style of the 18th century.

Exhibitions dedicated to contemporary art are held on the top floor. When we visited, there were various installations and paintings with teeth.

In the halls and staircases you can see lilies everywhere - this is the emblem of the kings of France, and the salamander is the symbol of King Francis I.

• from November 1 to March 31: 09:00 - 17:00;
• from April 1 to October 31: 09:00 - 18:00.

Ticket price: 13 EUR (ticket valid for visiting the castle and park)

Chenonceau Castle

This castle is called a ladies' castle, since throughout almost its entire history it belonged to noble ladies and queens of France. The most famous of them are Diana de Poitiers, mistress of King Henry 2, and his wife Catherine de Medici.

Near the castle there are gardens named after these women. The castle initially belonged to the first of them, but with the death of the king, Catherine took it from her rival.

The entire complex consists of a medieval donjon, the castle itself and the gardens of the two ladies. Not only numerous chambers have been preserved inside, but also a Wax Museum has been created. There you can see Queen Catherine, Diane de Poitiers, and Queen Louise, who lived here for a long time.

The park also has a labyrinth that is interesting to stroll through.

Operating mode:

• January 1 - February 3: 09:30 - 17:00;
• February 4 - March 31: 09:30 - 17:30;
• April 1 - May 28: 09:00 - 19:00;
• May 29 - June 30: 09:00 - 19:30;
• July 1 - August 31: 09:00 - 20:00;
• September 1–30: 09:00 - 19:30;
• October 1 - November 5: 09:00 - 18:30;
• November 6–12: 09:00 - 18:00;
• November 13 - December 31: 09:30 - 17:00.

Ticket price:

• 13 EUR - adult,
• 10 EUR - children from 7 to 18 years old,
• children under 7 years old - free.

Villandry Castle

The gardens of Villandry Castle can be called Versailles in miniature. This is a real work of park art. Trimmed bushes in different shapes and lines, connect and diverge, forming original patterns. The gardens are located on three levels. On the middle of them there are Gardens of Love. Secluded gazebos, entwined with ivy, seem to invite you to retire in them.

The interior chambers of the castle amaze with no less luxury and variety. All furniture and interior are completely preserved. You can also climb up to the very tower of the castle, from where you can see all the gardens.

Operating mode:

• January. Gardens- 09:00–17:00. Lock- January 1-2 - 09:30–16:30, January 3-31 - closed.
• February. Gardens- February 1–3 - 09:00–17:00, February 4–28 - 09:00–17:30. Lock- February 1–3 closed, February 4–28 - 09:00–17:00.
• March. Gardens- March 1–25 - 09:00–18:00 and March 26-31 - 09:00–19:00. Lock- March 1-25 - 09:00–17:30 and March 26–31 - 09:00–18:00.
• From April to June. Gardens- 09:00–19:00. Lock- 09:00–18:00.
• From July to August. Gardens- 09:00–19:30. Lock- 09:00–18:30.
• September. Gardens- 09:00–19:00. Lock- 09:00–18:00.
• October. Gardens- October 1–28 - 09:00–18:30, October 29–31 - 09:00–17:30. Lock- October 1–28 - 09:00–18:00, October 29-31 - 09:00–17:00.
• November. Gardens- November 1–12 - 09:00–17:30, November 13–30 - 09:00–17:00. Lock- November 1–12 - 09:00–17:00, November 13–30 closed.
• December. Gardens- 09:00–17:00. Lock- December 1–22 closed, December 23–31 - 09:30–16:30.

Ticket price:

• From November 14 to March 31. Adults - 8.5 EUR (castle and gardens) 4.5 EUR (gardens). Children from 8 to 18 years old - 5.5 EUR (castle and gardens) and 3.5 EUR (gardens).
• From April 1 to November 13. Adults - 10.5 EUR (castle and gardens) and 6.5 EUR (gardens). Children from 8 to 18 years old - 7 EUR (castle and gardens) and 5 EUR (gardens).
• Children under 8 years old are free at any time of the year.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

Orleans has some of the most beautiful cathedrals and churches in the country. And how can we not remember the monasteries that managed to survive wars and revolutions, bearing the traces of history!

Cathedral of Sainte-Croix or Orleans Cathedral (La cathédrale Sainte-Croix)

From the name it is clear that it is located in the city of Orleans. Gothicism in its pure, pristine form is what this cathedral is all about. In its beauty it is not inferior to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Inside there is everything typical of Gothic cathedrals: a rose window, stained glass, a carved altar.

Opening hours: 09:00 - 17:30.

The entrance is free.

Abbey of Fontevraud

It has a rich and eventful history. It was one of the most famous monasteries in all of Europe in the Middle Ages. Here are the graves of Eleanor of Aquitaine - one of the most beautiful women of that era - and her second husband Henry II Plantagenet, King of England. King Richard the Lionheart, the son of Eleanor and Henry, is also buried on the territory of the abbey.

It was built from the 12th century and represents a combination of Gothic and Romanesque architecture. It can be confused with a castle, but it is a monastery. You can take a walk both inside and outside.

Opening hours:

• from January to March and from November to December: 10:00 - 17:30;
• from April to June, from September to October: 09:30 - 18:30;
• from July to August: 09:30 - 19:30.

Entry fee:

• adults - 9 EUR,
• children under 8 years old - free,
• from 8 to 18 years old - 6 EUR.

Abbey Fleury

A visit to the monastery itself, which is still in operation, is not possible. Only the Church of Saint-Benoit or Saint-Benedict is open to tourists. This is a legacy of Romanesque architecture. The high vaults inside and the columns amaze the genius of the craftsmen who built this church.

Opening hours: 06:30 - 22:00.

The entrance is free.

Abbey of Noirlac

In French, le lac noir means “black lake.” This name comes from the fact that the son of one of the landowners drowned in a nearby lake. The 12th century monastery is perfectly preserved. It was repeatedly subjected to robberies and raids during wars, which were almost always waged by the. Now it is no longer operational, but there is a museum inside.

Opening hours:

• from February 1 to March 14: 14:00 - 17:00;
• from March 15 to October 15: 10:00 - 18:30;
• from October 16 to December 23: 14:00 - 17:00.

Cost of visit:

• adults - 7 EUR;
• children under 12 years old - free.

Church of Our Lady of the Patroness (Église Notre-Dame-de-Recouvrance d"Orléans)

It is located in Orleans and is notable for the fact that organ music concerts take place there. At least once in your life you should listen to the works on the organ resounding under the arches of an ancient church. Stained glass windows of the 16th century also provide purely aesthetic pleasure.

Opening hours: 09:00 - 17:30.

The entrance is free.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

Most of the museums are located in the major city of the Loire Valley region - Orleans. There are other interesting muses in the Loire Valley. I will list the most significant of them.

House of Jeanne D'Arc (Maison Jeanne d'Arc)

This is a house restored after the Second World War, where Joan of Arc lived only a few days after the capture of Orleans by her army. The exhibition represents the rooms where the Maid of Orleans lived. The museum is small.

Operating mode:

• from October to March: 14:00 - 18:00;
• from April to September: 10:00 - 18:00;
• Closed on Mondays and holidays.

Entrance ticket price: 4 EUR (with this ticket you can also enter the Historical and Archaeological Museum).

Historical and Archaeological Museum of Orleans (Musée historique et archéologique de l "Orléanais)

The museum is located in the Hotel Cabus, which once belonged to Diane de Poitiers. The museum's exhibition includes a collection of Gallo-Roman antiquities discovered not far from here, as well as statues from the late Middle Ages. Part of the museum is separately dedicated to Jeanne, the famous savior of France.

Operating mode:

• Tuesday - Saturday: 09:30 - 12:00, 13:00 - 17:45;
• Sunday: 14:00 - 18:00;
• Monday is a day off.

Entrance ticket price: 12 EUR.

Groslot Mansion (Hôtel Groslot d'Orléans)

Don't be surprised if the name says hotel in French. Previously, in France, hotels were called mansions of noble people. This mansion belonged to the bailiff Jacques Groslot.

King Francis II died in this house, and Kings Henry IV and Charles IX stayed here during their visits to Orleans.

It is interesting because inside you can see fine examples of antique furniture and tapestries from the 16th century. The Saint-Jacques Chapel and the statue of Joan of Arc decorate the courtyard of the mansion.

Operating mode:

• Monday - Friday: 10:00 - 12:00 and 14:00 - 18:00;
• Saturday: 10:00 - 19:00;
• Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00.

The visit is free.

Museum of Fine Arts of Orleans (Musée des Beaux-Arts d "Orléans)

This museum houses a rich collection of paintings, prints and drawings from the 15th to 20th centuries. Paintings by Tintoretto, Velazquez, Bruegel, Delacroix are the real pearls of this museum. Most of the exhibition consists of works of art confiscated from local aristocrats during the French Revolution.

Operating mode:

• Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00;
• Monday is a day off.

Entrance ticket price: 5 EUR.

Champignon Museum

A very interesting museum that tells and shows how mushrooms are grown in France. The museum has a separate part called “Stone and Light” - it tells how fortresses and castles are sculptured from stone. There are also finished works that are specially illuminated. Hence the name of this exhibition.

Entrance ticket price: general ticket (Museum of Champignons and the exhibition "Stone and Light") - 10 EUR for children from 6 to 18 years old, 13 EUR for adults. Only the Champignon Museum - 8 EUR for adults, children under 6 years old - free, from 6 to 18 years old - 6 EUR.

Parks

National Park of the Loire-Anjou and Touraine region(Parc Naturel Régional Loire-Anjou-Touraine) is located between the cities of Angers and Tours. This is a huge park, created in 1996. On its territory there are the castles of Villandry, Chinon, Langeais, Saumur, and Montsoreau. There is a small museum attached to it that tells about the nature of the park.

Opening hours: Sunday and Monday are days off, from Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 - 13:00, 14:00 - 17:00.

Neighboring regions

The Loire Valley is surrounded by other regions of France: Ile-de-France, Franche-Comté, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, New Aquitaine (Aquitaine, Limousin and Poitou-Charentes), Normandy and the Loire Lands.

Ile-de-France

You can also take home soft goat cheese, which is produced here. It has a complex name - Sainte-Maur-de-Touraine. Costs from 10 EUR.

How to get around the region

The most pleasant way to get around the island is by bicycle. There are bicycle paths throughout the region. The roads are comfortable, smooth, without holes or potholes. Rental points are located in all big and small cities. Rental price - from 10 EUR per day.

There are also regional buses that run throughout the region. Price from 10 EUR. You can buy a ticket at the station or online.

Transport rental

You can rent a car in all cities of the region - Orleans, Tours, Amboise. For 30-40 EUR per day, this can be done if you have a foreign passport and a license valid in Europe. You will need to leave a deposit for the car.

You can compare rental prices.

Roads in the region are good. If you want to visit some of the Loire castles that are not the most popular among tourists, then it is better to plan the route in advance in the navigator. Even local residents do not always know how to get to them.

Gasoline stations are found regularly.

Loire Valley - holidays with children

It is quite possible to travel around this region with children. The castles also have stands for children, where the life of the inhabitants of the castle and its construction are told in an interactive and exciting way.

Here are a couple of places where you can take your beloved child, in addition to castles:

Cyberzoo (Petting Zoo)

There is one unusual zoo in Orleans that your children will definitely love! Instead of animals there are... robots! It's called a cyberzoo. Trunk-springs hang from the ceiling and react vividly to touch and emotions. The children squeal with delight at this!

Operating mode: Wednesday - Sunday - from 14:00 to 19:00. Closed December 25, January 1 and May 1. Opens until 20:00 on the first Thursday of every month.

Entry price: 4 EUR.

Zoo de Beauval

One of the most beautiful zoos in Europe. It is divided into separate zones - African savanna, aquarium. Once a day there are performances with parrots and sea lions. It will take you the whole day to visit, so arrive early.

Operating mode: Monday - Sunday - from 09:00 to 18:00.

Entry price: 26 EUR - adult, 20 EUR - children from 3 to 10 years old.

Bioparc Doué La Fontaine

It is located on the site of former limestone quarries. That's why many animals live in caves. For those who love felines, there is a pleasant surprise. The zoo has a canyon of leopards, where three species live side by side - jaguars, snow leopards and tigers.

The Loire castles 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 and 16th centuries. Before turning into luxurious palaces of the French court, 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, others saw nothing, but are just as stunningly beautiful.

The most famous castles of the Loire Valley: Fontainebleau, Chaumont-on-Loire, Beauregard, Brassier, Valencey, Chaverny, Meillan, Usse, Sully, Chenonceau, Monsoreau, Angers, Chinon, Lange, Le Lude, La Flèche, Chambord, Pons, Azay Le Rideau, Luyn, Azay Le Ferron, Losches, Montresor, Blois, La Bretèche, Vitre, Le Rocher, Brissac, Montreuil-Belle, Amboise, Huaron, Chateaubriand, Goulain 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

Chambord Castle

Chambord Castle is the largest palace complex in the Loire Valley. Its length is 160 meters, height – 56. The structure contains 426 rooms and 90 of them are currently open to visitors. The castle is located on the territory of a huge park in Paris with an area of ​​5,440 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 flow of the Loire River. Chambord is rightfully considered the most famous castle among the wide variety of castles in this valley. This building amazes with its sophistication and splendor. You will have to spend more than one hour on a tour here.

From the very gates to the spiers, this Renaissance masterpiece 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 looks more like a forest. Until now, the local nobility periodically organizes hunts in these places.

What sights of the Loire Valley did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.

Chenonceau Castle

The delightful Chateau de 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 Boyer, who turned out to be a big fan of the Renaissance architectural style. By order of Boyer, all the previous buildings were demolished, and a large construction project began on their foundations. By coincidence, the construction work was managed by Boyer’s wife, and Thomas himself often found himself traveling on duty and died in Italy. Throughout its subsequent history, Chenonceau Castle belonged to noble ladies, including royalty.

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 being accused of betraying the king. The castle went into 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 came here at the invitation of the royal person. Here he finishes La Gioconda and dies in 1519. His grave is in the castle chapel.

During the French Revolution, most of the castle was destroyed and looted. He is now recovering. The castle is open to the public. There are excursions and various events, including at night. For a reasonable fee, anyone can feel like a guest of a castle in the Renaissance.

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.

Castle of Ussé

In 1485, the castle became the property of the d’Epinay family for 40,000 gold ecus, 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 stayed, although the royal chambers were ready to receive them at any moment.

Today this castle almost completely preserves the furnishings of the time in which it was built. Many rooms contain exhibits from that period. 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 today retains its original layout. The castle has its own small chapel and garden, and to get to the castle you need to cross a small stone bridge over the Indre River.

Villandry Castle

Villandry Castle is one of the selected castles of Laura; 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, a meeting was held between the King of France, Philip Augustus, and the King of England, Henry II Plantagenet, which ended with the signing of a peace treaty in favor of France.

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

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

Cheverny Castle

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

Since 1914, Cheverny Castle has been open to tourists, but continues to be the home of a large family, as several modern photographs in one of the rooms remind us of, the interior of which has remained intact since its construction. Everything here is reminiscent of the 17th century - furniture, portraits of the castle owners painted by the best painters of France, interior decorative elements. Cheverny Castle currently operates as a medieval museum. On its territory there is a kennel, famous throughout the area, whose residents do not sit idle, since the owners often organize hound hunts in the nearby forests.

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Castle of Losches

The castle of Losches was built at the beginning of the 11th century by Fulk Nerra. The palace, which is 36 meters high, is now considered one of the most impressive buildings of the Norman period. The castle is a fine example of military architecture. It was previously a prison; the most famous prisoner of Losches Castle 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 French history as Joan of Arc, Agnes Sorel and Anne of Brittany. Every year this place attracts many tourists from different parts of the world.

The most popular attractions in the Loire Valley with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in the Loire Valley on our website.

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The picturesque landscapes of the Loire Valley are complemented by ancient castles built during the reign of great kings, and many other historical, architectural, and natural attractions. These places are the heart of the country, a region of majestic cities, amazing nature, delicious wines and delicacies.

The beautiful valley has long attracted the attention of the upper classes. In the 13th century, Orleans gained the status of a city of the intellectual elite. Painters, minstrels and poets were invited to the court of the monarchs. However, in the Middle Ages, rulers rarely lived in one place for a long time, and therefore majestic palaces were built one after another near the Loire. The Renaissance castles of Chambord and Chenonceau, surrounded by gardens, remain to this day an excellent illustration of the luxurious life of royalty.

The city of Tours is the most popular among visitors. This is facilitated by its favorable location, rich cultural traditions and excellent cuisine. Many are also attracted by Angers, but to fully enjoy the atmosphere of antiquity, it is better to visit Saumur, Amboise, Blois and Beaugency, located on the waters of the Loire. Interspersed with the cities are ancient castles, the picturesque gardens of Vilandry, and the amazing towers of the Castle of Usset, the appearance of which suggested to Charles Perrault the plot of the fairy tale about the sleeping beauty.

In the northern part of the valley are the ancient cathedral cities of Le Mans and Chartres, where defensive structures from Gallo-Roman times still remain. To the west, at the mouth of the Loire, lies the town of Nantes, a bustling port at the entrance to the waters of the Atlantic.

The southern part of the valley is called Vendée. The local sandy deserted beaches attract windsurfers. Tourist routes run along the tributaries of the Loire and the lakes of the Sologne. You can visit ancient caves or picturesque villages, ancient temples, stay in one of the small cozy hotels, relax in restaurants where they prepare specialties from fish and fresh vegetables, try local wines - the lighter white Vouvray or the strong Bourgeuil. The cuisine of these places is amazingly diverse.

Picturesque landscapes are the main pride of these places. Nothing beats the view of a green valley dotted with magnificent castles. You can go on a trip along the river from Angers or Nantes to the ocean, or choose a holiday on the seaside. The Vendée region and the Indre River Valley are great for relaxing moments in nature. Bourgueil, Spies, Muscadet and Vouvray are traditional locations for so-called “wine tours”. If you want to fully enjoy the beauty of nature, then go to Amboise, Blois, Beaugency or Saumur, and if you want to get acquainted with architectural sights, then any of the cities mentioned above will suit you.

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