Loire Valley interesting facts. Loire castles in France: which ones to visit and what to see? Map

Loire Valley- a stunningly picturesque stretch of land in the center of France - is widely known for its magnificent historic towns, vineyards and castles. Moreover, its beautiful cascading green hills and tranquil landscape have made it an ideal muse for many amorous writers, artists or poets. Parts of it were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, and its timeless natural beauty has indeed earned it the nickname "the garden of France".

With origins dating back to the mid-Paleolithic period, the Loire Valley boasts some of the most charming towns and architectural monuments in Europe, such as Amboise, Blois, Saumur, Tours and wonderful castles including Chambord and Chenonceau. Everywhere you turn you will be reminded of the artistic influence of the Renaissance and Enlightenment. Indeed, visiting these places is like taking a historical trip back to a simpler, but aesthetically pleasing period of time.

Historical landscape

In the early 15th century, the young Joan of Arc led French forces in a number of important battles that ultimately led to the defeat of the British in the war for complete control of the region. Even before this happened, the Loire Valley had been coveted by kings and queens since the 10th century. This is not surprising, since this exquisite valley is surrounded by the Loire River - the most... long river France - and abounds in lush green forests, rich fertile lands and has an ideal climate for harvesting wine.

As was customary at the time, only royalty, nobility and wealthy citizens could afford the luxury of higher education in the arts and cultural activities. The best artists, historians, architects and writers of the time were often invited to strengthen the court artistic press. Of these honored guests, the famous artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci was so intrigued by this wonderful place at the invitation of the king, that in 1516 he founded a residence in the city Amboise and remained there until his death in 1519. His home - Le Clos-Luce - eventually turned into a museum dedicated to the genius of this man's creations. In that beautiful city There is also an attractive castle and a museum dedicated to the history of the postal service.

Another city worth visiting for its unique landscape and historical significance is Blois . A Renaissance castle, the Chateau de Blois was once the home of King Louis XVII in the heart of the city. The city itself was built on a steep hill with winding paths that culminate in long staircases at various points, making it the most interesting place for studying. A fun attraction found in Blois is La Maison de la Magie Robert-Houdin (the home of the wizard Robert-Houdin) - the only public museum in France dedicated exclusively to magic and the performing arts.

City Tour also deserves a mention. Known for its charming medieval old town, 12th century cathedral and distinction for being a city of purest form French Tours boasts a more lively atmosphere than most other towns in the Loire Valley. On any given day, the main square - Place Plumereau - is alive with the bustling sounds of visitors in the many open-air cafes, bars and restaurants.

Fascinating Castles

With over 300 castles in the Loire Valley, you can feel a little confused about which ones to visit during your short stay in the region. While all castles have their own uniqueness that makes them special for individual visitors, three that really stand out are Chambord, Azay-le-Rideau and Chenonceau.

One of the oldest castles in the region, Azay-le-Rideau was named after Lord Riedel, who decided to build a fortress on an island protected by a road leading travelers from Tours to Chinon, in the late 12th century. King François I modernized it, using the best French and Italian masters - architects and designers of the time. By the early 1500s, the castle was purchased by the French Minister of Finance as a gift for his son. The young man quickly commissioned renovations, giving the castle the curious "L" shape it maintains to this day - offering the essence of a stately French chateau combined with an Italian palazzo. Today, visitors can get a glimpse of the royal family's privileged life as they wander through its open spaces, including the drawing room, library and master bedroom - all decorated with restored furniture and colorful original tapestries.

Situated in a small village Chenonceau seemingly floating on underwater arches. The majestic Chateau de Chenonceau is perhaps the most romantic castle in the Loire Valley. Known as the "six ladies' castle" - for its famous residents, including the queen, mistress and colorful ladies of society - this beautiful castle is a historical marvel. We strongly recommend that you order a guide to this special castle to fully appreciate the fascinating stories surrounding its attractive inhabitants.

Today, Chenonceau ranks second after Versailles as the most visited castle in France.

If time allows you to visit only one castle, then Chambord will give you a better idea of ​​the luxury of 16th century castles, featuring no less than 440 rooms! This huge castle, located deep in the forest, was first built as a summer living room and hunting ground for King François I. He deliberately commissioned it to be built so large to remind citizens of the power of the court. Although the castle was not completed during his lifetime, it is a regal reminder of the unlimited power of the French crown at that time. Today the castle grounds serve as a hunting reserve and national park, as well as a feudal castle museum with four towers, a central dungeon and three magnificent floors reached by a winding staircase.

When visiting any of the Loire Valley castles, it is important to keep an eye on opening times, which vary seasonally, and know that no food, drink or camera flash is allowed inside.

Wineries and restaurants

Thanks to its pleasant climate and the aforementioned fertile lands, the Loire Valley enjoys an abundance of fresh produce, fruit, dairy products and high-quality wines and liqueurs. Like many other regions of the world, each city is famous for its delicacies. For example, sunny Tours produces delicious plums and melons, shady Touraine boasts fine mushrooms and asparagus, while Orléans is famous for the poultry grown on its vast farmland.

Because the Loire Valley is located in northern France, its best wine regions are on the south-facing slopes. Some of the country's best wines, including Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé, come from here. Villages with exceptional sparkling wines include Montlouis, Saumur and Vournay.

Visiting wineries in the Loire Valley is often as simple as contacting them and making an appointment. Wine tasting in this part of France is a leisurely experience, and the wine is often paired with regional cheeses or other tasty morsels. Since there are many different types of wine from different areas - such as reds from Chinon, whites from Angers and sweet wines from Vouvrey - one should either look for wineries in their preferred area that may be open to visitors, or consult expert guides who can accompany you to several wineries over several days. Hiring this type of service can save you a lot of valuable time and energy, as there are a huge number of wineries to choose from. One such company with over 25 years of experience in the Loire Valley is called Le Tasting Room. They can organize a day at specific wineries or conduct an introductory wine tasting of the entire region to give you an idea of ​​what's on offer.

Those wishing to enjoy exceptional traditional cuisine in an elegant yet cozy setting can book a room at the 1* Michelin hotel Le Bon Laboureur in Chenonceux. In addition to an affordable 3-course menu, this small hotel-restaurant offers a large selection of cheese and desserts, as well as a selection of the region's best wines.

If you prefer French food with a more modern twist, try Les Linottes Gourmandes in Tours. Situated in the heart of the Old Town, this restaurant has a wonderful selection of dishes like foie gras de Canard (duck liver pate) and Noix de Saint-Jacques (scallops) and knowledgeable, friendly staff.

For a truly wonderful dining experience, book a table at L'Orangerie du Château de Blois, a fine dining restaurant in every sense: the kitchen is an oasis of creatively combined flavors - the presentation of the dishes is impeccable and the service is delightful. It's best to choose the tasting menu and then sit back and enjoy adventures.

Where to stay for a while

Deciding where to stay in the Loire Valley depends on the route you choose for yourself and, of course, the time you plan to stay in the region. A good option if you're looking for a charming place just outside Tours with easy access to the rest of the region is the Domaine de la Tortiniere, a 24-room former castle (some rooms located outside the castle) turned into a 4* hotel. Environment serene and relaxing, with a beautiful park and terrace - a reasonable distance from the castles of Azay-le-Dito and Chenonceau, as well as the wine regions of Montlouis or Vouvray. For a more intimate stay in Chinon, try Hotel Diderot, a divine mini-mansion with clean, tastefully decorated rooms, a beautiful patio and garden, and a welcome croissant, homemade jam and fresh juice.

For budget travelers wanting to see the Loire Valley by car or bike, best choice will be the Cote-Loire Coy-Ligeren in beautiful city Blois. This small, unassuming hotel offers comfortable rooms next to the river and is located just a few minutes from the town's castle.

Road

Because of its close proximity to Paris, a visit to the Loire Valley can be anything from a fast-paced day trip to an extended visit to fully discover the region. If you're on a time crunch, book a bus from Paris that can take you on an escorted tour to visit 3-4 castles in just one day. Prices for these services start from 150 euros per person. If you're the adventurous type, rent a car and drive 2.5-3 hours into the Loire Valley on your own and explore the region in your own way for as long as you like. Expect to pay a minimum of €30 for travel (one way), plus the cost of a rental car. To really experience this region, take a TGV ( fast train) from Paris to Tours in just 35 minutes, then take local transport to the castles from there. Alternatively, take the train from Paris to Blois - which will get you there in about 1.5 hours - and begin your journey to this charming little town. Prices for these trains vary, but usually start from 45 euros one way.

One fun way to explore the area, for travelers with little time, is to take a bike tour. Cycling is a fun and relaxing way to explore the enchanting landscapes of the Loire Valley. BikeToursDirect offers self-guided cycling tours of the Loire Valley, ranging in length from 5 days to two weeks. Orleans to Angers is a popular route that runs throughout the valley and takes about 9 days at a leisurely pace.

Whatever you decide, it is advisable to visit the Loire Valley during the spring months (March-May) when the sun is shining - plus flowers and magnificent scenery are in full bloom - or during the early autumn months of September and October - during the harvest season, when the weather is still mild and the foliage is changing dramatically to warm chestnuts and yellows.

The Loire Valley, the ideal playground for kings and queens for centuries, comes alive again with each new visitor who is seduced by its enchanting beauty. There is undoubtedly a lot to see and be impressed by this magnificent region that you will later remember and dream about when you can return here. No matter how long you decide to stay here, there is no doubt that this will be an experience that you will always treasure.

The Loire River from the hills of Sancerre to Angers flows past an endless lineluxurious mansions, palaces and castles. Excursion route to the castles of Lauracomparable to a fascinating journey through different eras of French history. Chateaude Loches and d'Angers give an idea of ​​the fortifications of the 9th century. The elegant Château deChenonceau was created in the 13th century. The Cheverny manor was built in the 15th-16th centuries. EveryThe castle is unique and worthy of a traveler's attention. Our individual tour on the Castles of the Loire.

The most famous castles of the Loire

There are more than 300 castles on the Loire, more than 70 open to the public. Find out right awayWhich one to go to and what to see is difficult for an ordinary tourist. And even more difficultmake the right route. If you are planning a trip to the Loire Castles firsttimes, we have prepared a short list of the most popular and, of course, the mostbeautiful castles of the Loire Valley. You can take a trip either independently or as part of an excursion group from Paris.

Chambord Castle

Chenonceau Castle

Cheverny Castle

The fate of Château de Cheverny turned out to be happy: it was spared wars and civil strife, thanks to which the building was preserved almost in its original form.The descendants of its founder, Royal Chancellor Philippe Hurot, still occupythe upper floors, and the lower ones were kindly handed over to curious tourists.Cheverny is surrounded by a picturesque English-style park. Alternative to walkingBy green alleys is a boat ride on the canal. LocalThe kennel, where hundreds of purebred dogs are kept, is also considered a tourist attraction. hound dogs.

Blois Castle

How to plan an independent trip to the Castles of the Loire?

Tourists travel to the Loire Valley from Paris by train, car or excursion bus. Trains run daily from Blois and Tours.The cost to Blois in a 2nd class carriage is about 30 €, the travel time is almost 2 hours. FromHigh-speed TGVs depart, which will take you to Tours in approximatelyin an hour. In Tours you can rent a car or take local transport to the castles on one's own.

The easiest way, of course, is to travel to castles. For the first time we We recommend you the following route (it can be covered either by car or by car)public transport):

First day

Arrive in the morning in Blois. You explore the castle and go to Chambord. There you can go to the castle, walk around the park and watch a horse show.In the evening you return to Blois, where you spend the night. (you can see hotels in Blois Here).

The next day go to Amboise, walk around the Amboise castle and visit Leonardo da Vinci, and after lunch you go to Chenonceau. In the evening return to Amboise, where you spend the night. (Look for hotels in Amboise here)

The approximate budget for your trip will be as follows:

• Visiting castles: 1 ticket for an adult costs approximately 10-12 euros.
• Expensive by train: Paris – Blois – 30 euros
• Blois – Amboise – approximately 7 euros
• Amboise – Paris – about 35 euros.
• Plus the cost of buses from Blois to Chambord and from Amboise to Chenonceau.
• If you rent a car, then 2 days will cost you 60-100 euros + gasoline.
• Lunch - on average - 15 euros, dinner - 20 euros per person.
• The average cost of a hotel in Blois and Amboise is 50-70 euros per room per night.

Tours of the Loire Castles from Paris

If you do not feel confident about traveling on your own, it is better to choose a group excursion. It will also be cheaper.

Moreover, we cannot guarantee that in 2 days you will have time to see 4-5 castles, but tour guides can. But on the other hand, you relatively lose "freedom"independent travel to castles. So, of course, it's up to you to decide.Tour groups, as a rule, leave Paris on comfortable buses.The guide's stories and the landscapes outside the window entertain tourists, so the journey seems short. INthe route includes visiting 3-4 castles, entry tickets, lunch in a restaurant canincluded in the price of the excursion. Considering the good wine-making reputation of the Loire Valley,Some guides complement the trip with a winery visit and tasting. In every castletourists have free time to buy souvenirs, take photos and a little take a walk.

You can book a seat on a bus tour from Paris to the castles of the Loire.

Have a nice trip!

England, Scotland, Czech Republic, Spain, Portugal, Germany, France - all these countries have medieval fortresses. Perhaps the most impressive structures still remain in the valley of the French Loire River. If you like our article, you can always purchase an excursion to the castles of the Loire on the website paris-tourist.ru

Villandry
The last castle of the Renaissance


The Villandry fortress was built much later than its neighbors - in the 16th century. This area is famous for its Italian gardens, located on three levels. The upper one is occupied by ponds. The middle one is the “Garden of Love” - it is divided into four large squares of box, depicting allegories of love: stricken hearts (passion), a yellow massif (infidelity), hearts separated by flames (tenderness), swords and blood (tragic love).

Downstairs there is a decorative vegetable garden: in it you can find cabbage, carrots, beets, lettuce, as well as apple and pear trees. The landscape is completed by fountains, previously intended to irrigate the land.

Saumur
Prison of the Marquis de Sade


In the 10th century On the site of this building a monastery and a military fortress arose, designed to protect the local population from attacks by the Normans. Later, the fort came into the possession of the Count of Anjou and turned into a luxurious castle. The golden times for him were the 14th and 15th centuries. Then a royal garrison was stationed here, and then for two hundred years Saumur served as a prison for people from the noble classes. For example, the Marquis de Sade once spent two weeks here.

Cheverny
Family heirloom


This castle belonged to the same family for several centuries, passing from one generation to another. This tradition was interrupted only once and not for long: when the king settled his favorite Diane de Poitiers here. That is why the building itself and the interiors of the halls are well preserved. In the rooms on the ground floor you can find original paintings from the era of Louis XIII, and you should also visit the basement trophy room filled with deer antlers and the castle kennel, where hundreds of hunting dogs live. These places have long been famous for hound hunting.

Chambord
Castle-labyrinth


One of the most recognizable buildings in France. They say that Leonardo da Vinci himself had a hand in his project - this is probably why the architecture of the castle is so exquisite and complex: 426 rooms, 77 staircases (sometimes in the most unexpected places) and 282 fireplaces. The castle was owned by King Francis I, who loved to visit Countess Turi, who lived next door.

Chaumont-sur-Loire
Castle of Catherine de Medici


This place was made famous by the wife of the French king, Catherine de Medici, who bought it in the 16th century. Now it is a museum where you can see the room of the queen herself, the tower of her astrologer Ruggieri, a meeting room, a hall of guards, a dining room, a library, a billiard room, a chapel and the chambers of Diana de Poitiers, the king’s favorite, who had to move here after his death. It will also be interesting to visit the castle stables - look into the saddlery workshop, the kitchen for preparing feed, the carriage house and the pony arena.

Lange
France's oldest surviving stone fortress


The history of this castle is associated with the names of such legendary figures as Fulk the Black and Richard the Lionheart. Here you can look at one of the last functioning castle drawbridges, French tapestries of the 15th-16th centuries, Gothic chandeliers, ancient paintings, sculptures and, of course, the main pearl of this building - a wax recreation of the wedding of Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany, which took place here and celebrated the beginning of the annexation of Brittany to France.

Yusse
Sleeping Beauty Castle


There is a legend that Charles Perrault was so fascinated by this structure that he described it in his famous fairy tale. In the round tower you can now see wax recreations of episodes from there. In addition, the history of this castle is associated with the names of two more famous writers: Chateaubriand wrote his “Grave Notes” here, and Prosper Merimee ensured that in 1861 it was included in the state list of historical monuments of France.

Losh
The most massive castle


The local donjon is considered the oldest surviving one in the country. The construction of the fortress on this site began in the 9th century, and it, of course, was wooden. The tower that has survived to this day was built at the very beginning of the 11th century, and the thickness of its walls is 3 meters. Many famous historical names are associated with the castle. In the 12th century. it was owned by the English king Richard the Lionheart, and later, for a long time, the “Beautiful Lady” Agnes Sorel, the first favorite of King Charles VII, lived here. She was buried right there, in the church at the castle.

Amboise
The final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci and the Huguenots


Francis I grew up here and loved this castle very much. In 1515, he settled Leonardo da Vinci in the estate of Cloux, connected to Amboise by underground passage. The artist painted his most famous work here, La Gioconda, and died in 1519. His remains are kept in the castle chapel of St. Hubert. This place is also famous for the fact that the court of Henry II and Catherine de Medici lived here, their children and daughter-in-law Mary Stuart were raised here, and the execution of Huguenot conspirators who planned an assassination attempt on Francis II took place here.

Chateaudun
The most gothic castle


Lovers of the Middle Ages will find here everything that interests them: an ancient donjon, frescoes depicting the Last Judgment, tapestries with scenes from the life of the prophet Moses, an exquisite staircase, gardens in medieval style, which are planted only with those plants that were known in medieval times and were used in cooking, medicine and cosmetics.

Chenonceau
"Ladies' Castle"


At various times, this building was owned by the king's favorite Diana de Poitiers, queens Catherine de Medici and Louise de Vaudemont, Catherine Brisonnet, as well as Louise Dupin, the wife of a wealthy landowner. All of them moved in intellectual circles and patronized the arts, so the castle was often visited by writers, artists, musicians of that time and, of course, left their mark on it. For example, a collection of paintings by Poussin and Rubens, as well as Flemish tapestries of the 16th century, appeared here.

Blois
Favorite residence of French kings


From the XII to the XVII centuries. 7 kings and 10 queens of France lived here in turn. Blois was especially loved by Louis XII and Francis I. They spent a lot of time here. Joan of Arc once prayed in the local chapel. Now the castle is a museum and contains about 35 thousand different works of art.

Azay-le-Rideau
The most crowded castle


It was built by the treasurer of Francis I, Gilles Berthelot, or rather, his wife Philippa. It was thanks to her taste that graceful external towers, an elegant staircase with paired loggia windows, and a complex system of moats and ponds appeared here. Azay-le-Rideau was a pleasure palace: it came to life in the summer and was empty in the winter.

Chinon
Place of blessing of Joan of Arc


Once upon a time it was not even one castle, but three. Then they were united, and Chinon became the favorite residence of King Charles VII. By the way, it was here that Charles (then still a prince) met with Joan of Arc and received from her God’s message that he would be crowned on the throne in Reims. In the 17th century Chinon became the property of Cardinal Richelieu, who left it as an inheritance to his descendants.

Huaron Castle is a world landmark located in Huaron, in the department of De 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 Victor, gave possessions and a large forest to Huaron Guillaume Gouffier, who became the governor of Tyuren. Castle 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, which is adjacent to 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 castle galleries contain exquisite works of French Renaissance art.

Chateau de Brézé

Chateau de Breze is a magnificent and luxury castle, founded in the 16th century. The construction of the castle took place over 3 centuries, and therefore the appearance of the palace clearly shows an elegant architectural mixture of styles, but the Renaissance style predominates.

Chateau de Breze - a real pearl 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, carved out of rock, not inferior in size to the castle itself.

The underground premises were discovered only at the beginning of the 21st century; accordingly, no one used them, and therefore they are perfectly preserved.

Also worthy of attention is the deepest ditch in Western Europe, surrounding the castle. Every year there is a festival-tasting of natural wine "La Dive Bouteille". The castle also hosts excursions and organizes an exciting game for adults and children, “Treasure Hunt.”

Petit Thouars Castle

The Petit Thouars Castle is a Renaissance structure located on a charming and fairy-tale hilltop near the banks of the Vienne River, 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, are the vineyards belonging to the Petit Thouars 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, so you can only admire it from the outside. It is made in a classical style, therefore it is devoid of various hyperbolic elements. In general, the structure looks quite harmonious.

Castle Gien

The castle of Gien was built in the 16th century as an apartment for the daughter of Anne de Gien on the site of a royal hunting lodge, which became the reason for the organization of a hunting museum in the castle. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is in contention to be considered the first Renaissance castle of the Loire Valley. In 1823 it came into the possession of local authorities and was opened to the public in 1952.

Perpendicular to the main body of the building, another one was added on the eastern side, which looks towards the river. The facade of the courtyard is decorated with three octagon-shaped towers, where spiral staircases were added.

Today, the castle of Gien has assembled its hunting collection. By visiting the walls of the museum, anyone can see guns, tapestries, as well as paintings and sketches by the French artist Francois Deporte. The latter were moved to a large hall, insofar 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 view the entire arsenal of paintings of the castle. In addition, the museum has a collection of 5,000 buttons and fasteners that previously served on hunting suits.

Chinon Castle

Chinon Castle, located in the eponymous French city, on the banks of the Vienne River, is one of the royal castles of the Loire Valley. It was built on the site of 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 on the cliff side, 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 King Henry II of England, who ordered the eastern part of the castle to be rebuilt 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 castle's floors and ceilings to collapse. Since 1854, restoration work has been carried out at 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.

Sarze Castle

Sarze Castle - impressive 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, adding to the beauty of this castle.

Initially, in the middle of the 14th century, the castle was an estate belonging to the Barbonsua family. This 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 on the site of the castle there was an open area, surrounded by a moat and a fence, of which now only one tower-chapel remains.

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

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

Castle of Saint-Aignan

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

The Castle of Saint-Aignan looks impressive. Now privately owned, the castle is a residential area, but the public has the right to enter the courtyard to view the building from all sides. On this moment There are no excursions to the interior halls of the castle.

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

Le Reaux Castle

The castle of Le Reo, 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, is built of white and gray bricks laid out in a checkerboard pattern, which gives it a certain fairytale-like quality.

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

The fairytale castle is surrounded by gardens that cover approximately ten acres. The romantic setting 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.

Villesaven Castle

The Villesavin castle is one of the castles of the Loire Valley, built in 1537 by order of Jean le Breton, secretary of Francis I. French and Italian architects worked on the creation of the structure, whose credits include the royal castle of Chambord. Made in a harmonious Renaissance style. It is now privately owned, but tours of the grounds and inside the structure are permitted. Visitors can explore the history of royal weddings at the associated Wedding Museum.

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

The wedding museum contains about one and a half thousand exhibits dedicated to the celebration of this event, starting from 1840 and ending with the twentieth century. In addition, Vilsaven Castle houses a museum of children's cars and horse-drawn cars.

Gizo Castle

The Castle of Giseau, located among 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 begins in the 14th century, when there was a defensive fortress on the site of the current castle. For three centuries, from 1315 to 1660, the castle of Giso belonged to the du Bellay family, the most famous representative of which is the poet from the poetic “Pleiades” Joachim du Bellay. It was then bought by Prince Louis Gabriel de Contades, Marquis of Gizo, whose name the castle currently bears.

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

Montreuil Bellay Castle

The Chateau of Montreuil-Belley is a historical building in the town of Montreuil-Belley, département 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 Thouet River.

In the Middle Ages, the Montreuil-Belle site, covering more than 1,000 acres, was part of a group of 32 neighboring villages that made up the Leju district.

The feudal estate of Montreuil-Belle first belonged to Geldua of Denmark, then by royal inheritance it passed to Berle the Old, who became the first Sire of 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 English, the fief was returned to a descendant of the Berlet the Old family, Guillaume de Melun. After this, the estate underwent many reconstructions, with tall massive structures and walls with 13 towers, as well as an entrance through a fortified gateway. The castle's name was anglicized from Berle in Belle.

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

Reo Castle

The Chateau de Reaux 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 Renaissance style and is considered a historical architectural monument. Around the castle there are wide meadows and quiet rivers, which are ideal for artists and poets to find a muse, and the building itself is considered the most elegant and sophisticated of all the buildings in the valley.

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

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

Lavarden Castle

Lavardin Castle, located in the commune of the same name in the French department of Cher-et-Loire, is currently a medieval ruin. The first stone fortress was built on this site, on a hill, among forests, in 1070. In the 12th century, towers and a triple facade were added to the main structure, making the castle one of the fortified buildings among the nearby ones. The castle was rebuilt and strengthened several times, adapting to new military strategies.

Interesting historical fact is the fact that even the famous Richard the Lionheart could not capture the castle. Lavarden Castle was completely destroyed in the 16th century by the troops of Henry IV. Today you can see several buildings, from one of which there remains a large guardhouse with embrasures for cannons and a large underground storage room. Through the security room of the building located above, you can get to the underground galleries. From a height of 26 meters, the last level of the Lavarden Castle buildings offers a beautiful view of the neighboring villages and valleys.

Menard Castle

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

The Chateau de Menard is famous for the fact that for some time it served as the residence of the famous Marquise de Pompadour, the favorite of King Louis XV. The Marquise purchased this beautiful chateau in 1760 for a million livres from the heirs of the tax farmer Guillaume Charron, who served under Louis XIV and earned a huge fortune. To expand the property, Madame de Pompadour invited the famous royal architect Gabriel, but did not have time to implement her plans, since 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, author of the Paris Pantheon project. This is how extensive terraces leading to the Laura River and beautiful park areas appeared on the castle grounds, which are in complete harmony with the surrounding area.

Montpoupon Castle

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

The first building on this site was created in the 12th century. Over the course of several centuries, the castle, which is a strategic fortress, was rebuilt several times. In the XIV-XVII centuries it belonged to the Prie family and was modernized. It was at that time that a gate fort, a western tower, a separate donjon with a steep parapet arose, and internal chambers with high ceilings were equipped. During the Great French Revolution, all the fortress walls, except the front one, were demolished.

Since the mid-19th century, the castle has belonged to the Motte Saint-Pierre family. The Hunting Museum, whose collection is dedicated to amateur hunting, is located in outbuildings of the 19th century. The exhibitions of several pavilions introduce visitors to forestry, livestock farming, developed in this region countries.

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 ancient Halo-Roman fortifications at the direction of Fulk III Nerr, Count of Anjou. Then, in 1228-1238, King Louis IX significantly strengthened the fortress and rebuilt it, creating a classic fortification structure capable of repelling almost any attack. In those days, the main potential enemy was the Dukes of Breton. The castle was built on a high bank of the river and fortified with 17 towers about 30 meters high. In 1485, under Louis XI, a ditch filled with water was dug around the fortress.

In the 15th century, Angers became the residence of Rene, Count of Anjou and Provence, King of Naples and Sicily, popularly nicknamed “Rene the Good.” This nickname was given to the count for his services in the field of literature, poetry, and construction. He was valued for his patronage of the poor and oppressed, and for his love of festivals and knightly tournaments.

Montsoreau Castle

The Château de Montsoreau, located in the French department of Maine-et-Loire, has long been a strategic fortress, as evidenced by the 15th-century octagonal observation tower built in 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, Jean de Chambes, advisor to King Charles VII.

The most famous owner of the castle was Charles de Chambes, a character in the novel “The Countess de Monsoreau” by Alexandre Dumas the Father. Charles de Chambes and his wife Countess de Monsoreau lured her lover, Monsieur de Bussy d'Amboise, to the castle, where de Chambes' detachment brutally dealt with him.

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

Brissac Castle

Brissac Castle, located in the Languedoc province, is the tallest castle in France. Its height is 52 meters.

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

In the Gothic southern tower there is a private chapel, where you can view the famous marble bas-relief made 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.

Clisson Castle

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

The residential buildings included a state hall, several living rooms and a kitchen. Only the walls have survived to this day. To the east of the living quarters there 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 be used to fire at the opposite bank. In the western part there were two round towers of the 15th century with walls about six meters thick, which in the 18th century served as prisons: for women and for men.

Beauregard Castle

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

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.

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 protected by 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, where she kept poisons.

This place holds many secrets and mystical stories.

Blaine Castle

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

The architecture of the castle is reminiscent of the defensive structures of the Middle Ages. Previously it had twelve towers and occupied 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: a tower, a bridge over a moat, an iron horse protecting the bridge, Renaissance dormer windows with high peaks, gargoyles and brick fireplaces with fancy designs.

The castle suffered particularly serious damage during the French Revolution, when its premises were used as barracks and prisons. All that remains of the chapel, built in the sixteenth century, is the crypt. In 1918, the writer Marie Bonaparte took possession of the castle and completely rebuilt the northern wing.

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

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.

Ge Pean Castle

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

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

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

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.

Gulen Castle

Not far from the town of Haut-Gullen there is a 16th-century castle, which represents the entire brilliant series of castles in the Loire Valley - the castle of Goulen. And although it belongs geographically to Brittany, outwardly it differs from the castles of this province. Granite here has been replaced with limestone, and there are a lot of architectural buildings of decorative nature. The castle was not destroyed and plundered during the French Revolution, because since 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 AD, 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 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 houses the famous “house of tropical butterflies”. In the huge greenhouse, thousands of magnificent tropical butterflies fly freely around visitors. And all this is surrounded by rare plants. The unique vaulted cellar, built more than 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 wine production. The Goulen Castle winery is a historical monument and is considered one of the oldest existing in the world.

Sachet Castle

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

In the 18th-19th 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 “Père 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 Sachet castle. His collection includes not only personal items, but also numerous manuscripts, publications and a large collection of ancient icons. In 1983, Sachet was included in the list of historical monuments of France under state protection.

Castle of Plessis-Bourret

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

During the First and Second World Wars, the castle of Plessis-Bourret was used by 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 in their original form from the Middle Ages. A special attraction of the Château de Plessis-Bourret is the guardhouse with its wooden ceiling painted on the themes of fairy tales, proverbs and allegories.

Castle Les Ludes

The Château Le Lude, located in the commune of the same name in 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 Lud Castle was surrounded several times and partially destroyed.

Currently, 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 façade 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, the castle of Les Ludes is the private property of the Countess de Nicolai.

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.

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 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.

Carey Castle

The Chateau de Careil is a French fortified mansion in the town of Guerande, Loire-Atlantique department. Built in the 14th century, and expanded in the 15th-16th centuries. Initially it served a protective function, as evidenced by the jagged curtain. The castle was a place of worship for Protestants in the area. Carey Castle boasts its turbulent history. To this day, traces of the religious wars of the 15th century are visible on it, and since it was owned by Protestants, it was repeatedly subjected to crushing attacks by the Catholic League. And in 1699 the castle finally passed into the hands of Catholics.

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

Nowadays, the Castle of Carey is known in France for its innovative approach to the field of tourism services. It offers the following activities and entertainment: a classic castle tour, an "Ah, What an Adventure" tour which includes a swordsman show, and a candlelight walk through the castle. You can also spend your child’s birthday here. The owner will take the children through the castle, filled with surprises, show sword fights, and have a feast in one of the castle halls. Thematic excursions for adults on military and historical topics are especially popular.

Verreri Castle

Verrerie 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 on its site, which translated into French means Verrerie. It is made in the Renaissance style, its windows overlook forest and meadow landscapes. Now the castle is in the possession of the Vogüe family and is one of the must-see places excursion route along the Loire Valley.

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

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 restoration, a portrait of one of the representatives of the Vogüe family, who made a great contribution to historical castle. Dreamy nature spreads around the structure. All that surrounds it is forest and meadows.

Castle La Bussière

The castle of La Bussienne is located on the Vernisson reservoir in the city of the same name in France. It is one of the most visited castles in the Loire Valley, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1962, it was opened to visitors by the Chaiswal couple. The castle houses a collection of fishing art. The building was named after this.

All the interior design of the building is based on the theme of fishing. The kitchen, pantry, and living rooms are all furnished with fish trophies and decorated with paintings of fish. In the corners of the rooms there are sculptures featuring fish, fishing gear and so on. The unique museum also displays folk art such as ceramics, glass and much more from past times.

Today, La Bussienne Castle is constantly open to visitors, who can explore the colorful greenhouses, well-kept stables and a cozy small park, as if created for romantic walks.

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 13th 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 clothing was considered mourning.

The real name of the castle is “Castle of the Breton Kings in Nantes”. However, this place is most often associated with Anne, the only woman who became Queen of France twice. In 1491, she married the French king Charles VIII, and just 7 years later 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 city building. At various times it served as a military fortress, a royal residence, a barracks, a military warehouse, and a prison. Now it houses a museum that houses real treasures. In 1862 it was recognized as a historical monument. After World War II, during which the fascist occupiers built a bunker in the castle, the building was restored over the course of 15 years.

The castle is equipped with a modern façade lighting system, turning the castle into a real fairy-tale place.

Castle of Fougères-sur-Bievre

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

Today, the building is the best example of medieval buildings, since its appearance has remained almost unchanged, despite the dominance of the Renaissance. The towers cut with narrow loopholes, the massive building made of sandstone bricks, the heavy and low arches of the courtyard, the enclosed courtyard and much more point specifically to the Middle Ages.

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

Castle of Azay-le-Rideau

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 Indre River. 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, treasurer of King Francis I, Gilles Verthelot.

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

Langeais Castle

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

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

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

Castle of the Dukes of Breton

Externally, the residence of the Breton Dukes, located in the Loire River valley, resembles a classic medieval castle- high walls, six powerful towers, deep ditches. 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 Anne of Brittany became the wife of the French king Charles VIII, and the castle gradually lost its military functions. In 1598, the Edict of Nantes was signed by King Henry IV at the castle. During the bourgeois revolution, a prison and an arsenal were located in the castle, and in 1800, a disaster occurred - some of the buildings were badly damaged by a 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 façade of one of the remaining buildings, the Grand Lodge, you can see a coat of arms symbolizing the annexation of Brittany to France. Along part of the fortress walls runs walking route with a visit to the medieval tower "Golden Crown". There is a well preserved in the courtyard, decorated with ducal heraldic symbols.

Mayenne Castle

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

Castles of Loire

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 it turns into luxurious palaces 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

Dunois Castle

The Castle of Dunois, located in the small town of Beaugency in central France, was built of gray stone in the Romanesque style in 1440 with characteristic loopholes, a watchtower and a tower surrounded by arches of the same shape and size, supported by columns or pillars. It was built by order of Jean de Dunois, a famous military leader during the Hundred Years' War, who fought hand in hand with Joan of Arc. He married Maria d'Harcourt, became 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 possession 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 currently the castle houses the “Regional Museum of Arts and Traditions of Orleans”, on three floors of which there is a collection of exhibits characterizing the life and customs of the inhabitants of Beaugency and located in the 20- Thirty kilometers from here Orleans.

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

Castle of Saint-Loup-sur-Thouais

The castle of Saint-Loup-sur-Thouet is located in the municipality of Saint-Loup-Lamere in the department of De Sèvres, France. The castle is 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. Second or more large part The castle dates back to the 17th century; it was restored and completed by representatives of the wealthy noble family of Gufier. The Castle of Saint-Aignan is one of the best examples of architecture of this period in France.

One of the square towers of the castle, dating from the 14th century, housed King John II of France when he was captured after the Battle of Poitiers. Edward the Black Prince was also stationed here. The H shape of the building was chosen in honor of King Henry IV of France. In the 1980s, the castle of Saint-Loup-sur-Thouet belonged to Jean-Jacques Debou and Chantal Goya.

Chamerol Castle

The Chateau de Chamerol is an architectural building located in the Woods of Orleans, near streams and lakes. Designed in the Louis XII style with two-tone brickwork, three wings, and towers decorating the walls. All this is presented in a quadrangular symmetrical shape. The castle is famous for its museum dedicated to the history of the creation of perfumes and its green, enchanting park in the Renaissance style.

A wide ditch filled with water has been dug around the Chamerol castle, through which a stone bridge leads to the central entrance. In the left wing there is a gallery, which has some similarities 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 each 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 castle grounds, a wide variety of medicinal and aromatic plants grow, as well as rare boxwood. Green labyrinths of bushes interest even young visitors, and the view from the windows attracts all couples in love.

Castle of Chaumont-sur-Loire

The history of Chaumont-sur-Loire dates back to the 15th century, when the first wooden castle was built on this site, which, however, stood for a relatively short time, since its owner Pierre d'Amboise had the imprudence to fall out of favor with King Louis XI, who As an edification to others, this castle was demolished 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 in the same place, surrounded on each side by high round towers.It is still unknown, did Pierre d'Amboise manage to establish relations with Louis XI during the construction of the new castle, or masonry turned out to be stronger than before, but Chaumont-sur-Loire has survived to this day, and after restoration work this castle looks simply impeccable. In the 16th century, this palace was bought by Catherine de Medici herself, and the room where she lived is still accessible to visitors.

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.

Lavout-Polignac Castle

Lavout-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, as evidenced by the shape of the loophole windows and the location on which it is located - on a high river bank among bushes and forests.

In the 18th century, the castle of Lavoute-Polignac was acquired by the famous French statesman Viscount de Polignac; his mother, the Duchess de Polignac, a close associate of 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 and tapestries from the time of the first owner. From the ground floor terraces, located 45 meters above the Loire River, there is a beautiful view of the coastal area, where sheep graze peacefully and river herons stroll. The castle still belongs to the descendants of the Viscount de Polignac.

Angers Castle

Angers Castle is a majestic medieval defensive structure of irregular shape on the embankment of the River Maine. 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 never restored.

By the way, during the Second World War, the citadel was practically not used, and therefore came to us in good condition. The famous tapestries "Angers Apocalypse", 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. Tours of the Chateau are offered daily throughout the year.

Montgeoffroy Castle

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 horseshoe in the Renaissance style with its inherent 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 of the country, as evidenced by the inventory carried out recently. All panels, paintings, tapestries are in the very places where they were during the time of the first owner. By local residents, who respected the Marquis de Contada, the castle of Montgeoffroy was saved from the revolutionaries. The castle still belongs to the descendants of the marquis.

Valence Castle

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

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

Mott Glen Castle

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

Motte Glen Castle was built in the early fifteenth century in the town of La Chapelle Glen by Pierre de Rohan. As with the vast majority of medieval castles, its primary purpose was a defensive function. In the seventeenth century, the heirs of the first owner of the castle significantly rebuilt it, and it began to more closely resemble a residential estate.

The castle consists of a pavilion, which was built surrounded by two round towers. One of the towers had a storage room, and the other was intended for a press. The majestic residential building, the windows of which are decorated with Renaissance sculptures of the fifteenth century, delights tourists with its original appearance. And in the chapel there were frescoes from the sixteenth century. The castle is a fine example of late fifteenth century architecture. Everything in Mott Glen 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.

La Ferte Castle

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

The largest staircase in Burgundy is built at La Farte Castle. And in one part of the building you can see portraits of all the owners of the former monastery. Today the castle is home to the family of Jacques Thénard, who support its fortunes through tourism and agriculture.

Montrichard Castle

Montrichard Castle is a dilapidated 11th-century castle located in the heart of the municipality of Montrichard, Loir-et-Char 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 and has been included in the list of historical monuments of France since 1877. The castle currently houses a museum containing various exhibits from rare coins to Vehicle that time.

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

Castle of Sully-sur-Loire

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

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

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 coast Atlantic Ocean. 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 made it into a defensive fortress. It acquired the appearance it has now in the 19th century, after complete restoration in the spirit of Italian architecture.

If 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, was promoted 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.

Noirmoutier Castle

Noirmoutier-en-l-Île or simply Noirmoutier is a resort settlement in the northern part French island, with the same name, department of Vendée. 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 Noirmoutier castle 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 demonstrates twelfth century architecture. It is built of rubble and 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 gate also has similar turrets at the corners. What remains of the Benedictine monastery of St. Philibert is the Romanesque church, which was extensively rebuilt after a fire in 1848.

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

Chateaubriand Castle

The ancient feudal fortress of Chateaubriand, the name of which consists of two words - “chateau”, 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. There is an inscription on the colonnade that dates the completion of construction to 1538.

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

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.

Freteval Castle

Freteval Castle is another castle among the Loire Castles, located in the municipality of Freteval, Loire et Cher. The castle territory 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 Carolingian fortified 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 of Blois, Stephen II.

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

Sights of the Loire Valley

Castles or chateaus of the Loire are historical buildings located in the valley of the river and its tributaries (Maine, Cher, Vienne, Indre, Loire). Most of the chateaus were built in the Middle Ages; several centuries later, during the Renaissance, they were rebuilt according to the architectural trends of modern times. Thanks to the abundance of castles, the Loire Valley was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Chambord

Chambord Castle was built by order of Francis the First, from 1519 to 1547. Built in the style of Renaissance architecture, it is believed that Leonardo da Vinci himself participated in the design. This is the most recognizable castle of the Loire. It has 426 rooms, 77 staircases, about 300 fireplaces, 800 capitals. Chambord is included in the list of UNESCO monuments. Today the castle houses a hunting and nature museum.

Cheverny

The castle was built in the Baroque architectural style. Construction lasted from 1624 to 1634. It was erected for the Cheverny family. This is one of the few chateaus that is still owned by a single family. Since 1914, the castle has been open to the public. It has preserved its original interiors better than others, and the façade has never been restored.

Amboise

This is the ex royal residence. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The first castle was built at the end of the ninth century. He served to guard the eastern borders of the county. At the end of the 15th century, the grandiose construction of a new castle in the Renaissance style began. Amboise became the favorite residence of many kings. The interiors of the castle have preserved ancient furnishings. But the main feature of the chateau is that Leonardo da Vinci is buried in its chapel.

Blois

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the city of Blois. The largest of all the castles of the Loire. Served as the residence of the kings of France - Louis the Twelfth and Francis the First. The castle began to be built in the 13th century, but the main part was erected in the 15th century. Blois was built in different styles - Gothic, classical, Renaissance, Baroque. Today the castle is open to tourists.

Villandry

This is one of the selected castles of the Loire Valley. Famous for its keep, ornamental vegetable garden, ornamental garden and park with a pond. Construction of the castle lasted from the 16th to the 18th century. Chateau refers to architectural solution Renaissance. The interior decoration dates back to the 18th century. Villandry is partially surrounded by canals and has multi-level gardens.

Valence

The castle is included in the list of UNESCO monuments. Built in imitation of Chambord. The current chateau was built from the 16th to the 18th centuries on the site of a dilapidated fortress. The castle is considered a monument of Renaissance architecture and French classicism. During World War II, it housed the treasures of the Louvre (Venus de Milo and Nike of Samothrace). Today the castle is open to visitors and displays vintage cars.

Plessis-Bourret

The castle was built in the 15th century, but it appearance practically unchanged. The chateau is perfectly preserved. It is privately owned, but Plessis-Bourret is open to visitors. Initially, the castle was built for two purposes - to be a defensive fortress and a ceremonial residence for the owners. Combines the architecture of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The interiors are close to the Renaissance era.

Azay-le-Rideau

The castle is recognized as a state historical monument. Belongs to the selected chateaus of the Loire. Balzac called it a “sparkling diamond.” It was built in 1510 by order of the treasurer Francis I. The castle is a masterpiece of the French Renaissance. It was erected on the site of a fortress destroyed by King Charles the Seventh of France. Today the castle houses the Renaissance Museum and is open to visitors.

Uaron

This is a world landmark. The castle was built in the 15th century, described by Charles Perrault in the fairy tale “Puss in Boots”. Once upon a time, the mistress of King Louis 14 lived in this chateau. Later, the castle became the property of the Goufier dynasty, the owners improved and improved the castle. The galleries house works of art from the French Renaissance.

Yusse

This is a medieval castle built in the French Renaissance style. It was erected in the 15th century by order of Lord Dusset. It is believed that the chateau was described in the fairy tale “The Sleeping Beauty” by Charles Perrault. Under Napoleon, royalists secretly gathered there. Since 1885, Usset belongs to the dynasty of the Dukes of Blacas.

Chamerol

The castle is located in the Orleans Woods, built in the style of Louis 12. It is a quadrangular building decorated with towers. Built with two-tone brickwork. There is a moat filled with water dug around Chamerol; you can enter the castle through a stone bridge. In the outbuildings adjacent to the chateau there is a perfume museum and a gallery similar to the Blois Gallery.

Sully-sur-Loire

This is a medieval chateau. It was built in the Renaissance style. Until 1962, the castle was the property of the Bethune dynasty. The chateau was erected by order of Sully, the first duke of the family. Previously, the fortress played a defensive function; both Anne of Austria and Voltaire hid there from the authorities. In 2000, the castle was included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Buteon

The castle is located in Andrezier-Boutheon, a French commune. The first mention of it dates back to the 13th century. It was erected on the initiative and with the financial resources of the Counts of Fore, and subsequently belonged to the Bourbon and Gadan dynasties. In 1995, the castle was purchased by local authorities. Within its walls there is a museum and halls for temporary exhibitions.

Lavout-Polignac

This is a medieval castle built from local volcanic stone. The approximate date of construction is the 12th century. It was rebuilt in the 17th century in the Renaissance style. In this form it has survived to this day. Initially, the castle was a defensive fortification in the Loire basin, then it began to be used as the residence of the Polignac dynasty. It still belongs to the descendants of the Polignac family.

Talsi

The chateau is included in the list of selected castles of the Loire. Located in the small village of Bos. The castle was built in 1520 in the Renaissance style. The building is a three-story structure with a front arch. A hexagonal tower is attached to the castle. Today Talsi belongs to the state, and the archive is located there. A number of halls have been restored and are open to tourists.

Trousse

It is considered one of the smallest castles of the Loire. Built in the 15th century, during the Renaissance. The castle is located in private property aristocratic family of Saint Mars. Trousset was built under the influence of the architecture of the Chateau de Chambord. Two wings are adjacent to the main building; they end in towers with hipped roofs. The façade is decorated with several sculptures. Six rooms are open to tourists.

Clos-Lucé

Medieval castle, recognized as a historical monument. One of the most recognizable castles of the Loire. The first building was erected back in 1106. Subsequently, it was rebuilt and improved several times. Clos Lucé was bought by the royal family and made a residence. It is famous for the fact that Leonardo da Vinci and the French king Francis the First lived in it. Today the house-museum of Leonardo da Vinci is opened in the castle.

Chenonceau

This is one of the most visited castles in the Loire. Today it is privately owned but open to tourists. The chateau is called the people's or ladies' castle. It was founded in 1411. Subsequently, it was rebuilt and improved more than once. Since the end of the 19th century, Chenonceau has belonged to the Meunier family. The oldest structure of the castle is the 13th century Mark's Tower and a medieval well.

Montreuil-Belle

The castle was founded in the 11th century on the orders of the Count of Anjou. In the 14th century it was expanded, 13 defensive towers were added, and the size of the fortress wall was increased (increased to 650 meters). In the 15th century, Montreuil-Belle was rebuilt in Renaissance style. Today it has been given the status of a historical monument; there is a museum within the castle walls.

La Roche

The castle stands on a small island in the Villeret reservoir, not far from Rouen. The first sources telling about the Gothic castle of La Roche date back to 1260. Floods and natural disasters posed a greater danger to the chateau than armed attacks. The castle was restored by 1996. It is open to tourists and hosts chamber music concerts.

Sachet

The castle is located on the banks of the Indre River. It was built in the 16th century instead of a fortress founded in the 12th century. This is a four-story building made in the Renaissance style, with a Romanesque tower nearby. Sasha was surrounded by a moat of water, but it was dried up. Honore de Balzac lived in the castle for several years, and a number of novels were written here. In 1951, the Balzac Museum opened.

Argy

The castle is located in the town of the same name. Included in the list of historical and cultural monuments of France. Mentions of the first defensive fortification date back to the 11th century. In 1444, Guy de Brillac bought it, the fortress was rebuilt, and has remained practically untouched to this day. The castle consists of two parts - an upper courtyard with a residential mansion and a garden with a vegetable garden.

Basti d'Urfe

The castle is located in the Loire department. It is famous for the fact that the writer Honoré d'Urfé lived there. He wrote a pastoral novel, Astraea. It was originally erected in the 13th century in the Renaissance style, and in the 15th century it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. The author of the project was Claude de Forêt. In 1912 it was included in the list of state historical monuments.

La Bussiere

The first mention of the castle dates back to the 12th century. Subsequently, the fortress was rebuilt several times. The castle often changed owners. The last owners were the Shavsel count family. The couple bought the castle in the 19th century, but in 1962 the descendants of the family converted the fortress into a museum. It includes the castle itself, the courtyard, gardens and greenhouses.

Monron Castle

It is called Monron-les-Bains. The castle was first mentioned in the 12th century. In the 16th century it reached the peak of prosperity and glory. The fortress was rebuilt into a large and rich castle, built in the Renaissance style. Since 1984 it has belonged to the local municipality, and the castle hosts festivals and other cultural events.

Menard

This is a chateau in the Loire that belonged to the Marquise de Pompadour. She bought it in 1760 from Guillaume Charron. The castle is a two-story white stone structure built in the Romanesque style. The chateau was expanded several times; several buildings were added to the main building. There are park areas near the castle.

Chaumont-sur-Loire

The history of the castle begins in the 15th century; a wooden fortress stood in its place. It was destroyed by Louis the Eleventh. Then the previous owner, Pierre d'Amboise, erected a stone citadel. In the 16th century, the castle was acquired by Catherine de Medici; she lived in the fortress for a long time; today her room is open to tourists. The castle houses a museum and hosts an annual garden festival.

Angers

Angers Castle is located in the town of Angers and occupies 25 thousand square meters. The stone castle was built in the 11th century on the site of a wooden fortress. In the courtyard there is a chapel and royal chambers. Powerful defensive walls are built of stone and have a pentagon shape. The castle became famous for its gallery of Apocalypse tapestries.

Chevenon

The castle is located in the town of the same name in the Loire River valley. Construction of the chateau lasted from 1382 to 1406. In the 16th – 18th centuries, the castle changed owners, and it began to fall into disrepair. In the 20th century it was restored and opened to tourists. Today it is a quadrangular building with high towers at the corners. The 25-meter donjon and dovecote have been preserved.

Losh

The castle stands above the Indre River. Its construction began in the ninth century. This is the oldest donjon that has survived to this day in the Loire Valley and in France. The donjon was built by Fulk Nerro in the 11th century, it is massive and built in the form of a quadrangle. In Loches, Joan of Arc persuaded the Dauphin Charles to be crowned on the throne. And in the dungeons of the castle there were prisons, where many crowned prisoners were imprisoned. Today Loches is open to tourists.

Verreri

The castle was built by the descendants of John Stewart. It was made in the style of Renaissance architecture. The chateau was owned by different owners, the last being the Vogüe dynasty. In the 19th century, restoration work was carried out and the castle became more elegant. The main feature of the castle is the chapel, its walls are painted with paintings of the apostles and martyrs.

Palace of the Dukes of Nevers

The palace was built in 1491. It combines Gothic and Renaissance elements. It was erected at the direction of Jean de Clamecy. Today, the chateau houses the city hall, where court hearings are held. Main building The castle is surrounded by towers, to which spiral staircases lead. The length of the castle is 53 meters, width is 11 meters.

Pont-Chevron

The castle was completed in 1900; it was erected on the site where a medieval fortress once stood. Pont Chevron was built in the neoclassical style according to the design of the architect Coulon. Near the castle there is a chapel of St. Anne, a park and an orchard. There is a museum of the history of construction in Pont-Chevron. In several rooms, the furnishings of the 17th and 18th centuries have been restored. They host weddings and other special events.

Saint Brisson

The chateau is located in the city of the same name, was built in the 12th century and served as a defensive fortress. In 1987, the castle was bought by the authorities and opened to the public. It works historical Museum, concerts and exhibitions are held. The building is built in the form of a hexagon, its diagonal is 150 meters. From the top of the chateau you can view the Loire Valley.

Zhien

The chateau is located in the city of Gien, Loire Valley. Along with the Amboise castle, it disputes the right to the title of the first Renaissance chateau built in the Loire. The castle was built in the 16th century. The eldest daughter of the French king, Anna de Beaujeu, lived there. After the revolution, the castle became the property of the state. Today it houses the Museum of Hunting.

Boisgibo

The castle was built south of Orleans. The first mention of it dates back to 1510. Built in the Renaissance style. The castle changed owners, and as a result its purpose changed. Boisgibo was both a hunting lodge and a place of social entertainment. Today it belongs to the de Meton family. The castle has been converted into a hotel.

La Ferte

This is a former Cistercian abbey. The first daughter monastery of the Order of Sito. In 1760 it was rebuilt as a palace. Today the castle is privately owned; thanks to tourists, the owners keep it in good condition. In La Ferte there is the largest staircase in Burgundy, the rooms for monks and abbots, and the abbot's living room have been restored. There are portraits of all the owners of the castle.

Chateauneuf-sur-Loire

The castle is located in the center of the town of the same name. The modern building was built in the 17th – 18th century. Several buildings, stables, and a palace park have survived from the first chateau. Today, one of the buildings houses the city hall, and the former stables house a navigation museum. The park contains horned plants and magnolias, and there is an artificial pond with a stone bridge across it.

Maine-sur-Loire

The castle is located in the city of Meng, near Orleans. Previously, it served as the residence of the Orléans bishops. During the Hundred Years' War it played strategic importance and was in the hands of the British for a long time. Today it is open to the public; the interior of a medieval fortress has been restored in 30 rooms. The castle hosts festivals and cultural events.

Dunois

This is a medieval castle located in the city of Beaugency, twenty kilometers from Orleans. Built in the 15th century, it is a typical feudal residence. Eat watch tower and a tower surrounded by an arcade. Before the revolution, the castle belonged to the Dunois-Longueville dynasty. Today it houses the Museum of Arts and Traditions of Orléans.

Beauregard

The chateau was built in the 15th century. Is in small town Selle. The castle changed owners and was often rebuilt. In 1617 it acquired its modern appearance. Today it is owned by the dynasty of the Comtes de Charon. It is open to tourists. Beauregard is famous for its portrait gallery and park area.

Vilsaven

The castle was founded in 1537 on the orders of Jean le Breton. The chateau resembles an Italian villa built during the Renaissance. It is privately owned and houses a wedding museum in one of the premises. In the Vilsavena Pavilion there is a chapel that was once visited by Queen Catherine de' Medici.

Fougères-sur-Bievre

The castle is located on the Biever River. Built on the site of a former fortress destroyed in the Hundred Years' War. The chateau was built in the style of medieval castles. Today Fouget-sur-Bievre is an excellent example of a Medieval castle. It has a massive body, low arches, and an enclosed courtyard. The interior is also preserved in medieval style.

Chinon

This is one of the royal castles. The history of construction dates back to the tenth century. The chateau consists of three parts, which were built according to historical needs. The castle had many owners who rebuilt it. Since 1854, gradual reconstruction was carried out, the floors were restored, the rooms were furnished with antique furniture. Today it houses a museum.

Rivo

Located 10 minutes' drive from Chinon Castle. Rivo was built in the 13th century, but it was only a feudal building fortified with towers. In the 15th century, it went to the courtier Pierre de Bove and was rebuilt into a stone and impregnable fortress with a powerful donjon, a drawbridge and a dry moat. In 1991, the castle was bought by private owners, restored and opened to tourists.

Petit Thouars

The castle was built during the Renaissance. It is located near the Vienne River. The descendants of the Petit Thouars family opened a museum in the chateau dedicated to the travels and lives of their ancestors. The castle is famous for the vineyards growing on its slopes. Tourists can have a sparkling wine tasting.

Saint-Loup-sur-Thouais

Today the castle is privately owned, but you can rent a room in it. Consists of two parts. The first was built in the 11th century, and the second - the main one was built in the 17th century. King John II of France and Edward the Black Prince were imprisoned in the square towers of the castle.

Champigny

Located in the commune of the same name. It was built in the 12th century, but rebuilt in the 17th century by the owner of Champigny. The castle consists of a main building, two wings and courtyard buildings. In 2000, the castle was bought by a family of American businessmen and rents it out for weddings and other celebrations. The highlight of the castle is the Chapel of St. Louis, built in the 16th century.

Conde

The history of the castle begins in the 14th century; in the 15th it was bought and rebuilt in the Renaissance style. The castle has eight bedrooms, designed in art deco style, a library, a gym, a solarium, and golf courses. Since 1972 it has been owned by the state. Music festivals are held in Kanda.

Sarze

This is a large medieval castle. Surrounded by 38 towers, three drawbridges lead to the fortress. It was built in the 14th century and belonged to the Barbonsois dynasty. Since 1720, the castle has been owned by different owners. Today it operates a small private hotel. The original furnishings have been preserved in the halls. The chapel has been preserved from the original buildings.

Monpoupon

The castle was built in the Romanesque style, built from sandstone and stone. It stands in the center of the forest and is recognized as a protected historical monument. It was first built in the 12th century, then rebuilt and modernized several times. The gate fort, the western tower, and the donjon have survived to this day. The fortress walls were demolished during the revolution. A hunting museum is opened in the castle buildings.

Montrichard

The castle was built in the 11th century by Fulk Nerra. It was plundered in the 12th century. Today it is in a dilapidated state. Despite this, it attracts a large number of tourists. Montrichard is the property of the municipality; it has a museum where rare exhibits are kept.

Ge-Pean

Located in the wooded Loire Valley. Previously, there was a Roman camp on this site, then a fortress. During the Renaissance, it was rebuilt into a full-fledged castle. It is privately owned by Germain Pilon. Ge Pean is open to the public and has a chapel, a library, and restored rooms.

Saint-Aignan

The castle is located on a cliff above the Cher River. It is privately owned and there are no tours inside the castle, but tourists can explore the courtyard and get to know the architecture of the chateau. The building was built in the 16th century, on the site of a medieval fortress. Some sections of the very first buildings have been preserved.

Celles-sur-Cher

The castle is located in the small town of the same name, which is famous for its delicious goat cheese. Built in the 17th century, there used to be a medieval fortress in its place. The chateau has been restored and houses a museum telling about the life and crafts of the inhabitants of the Cher Valley. There is a garden next to the castle.

Ainey-le-Vieille

This medieval castle is located in the town of the same name. It was built in the 14th century and was of great strategic importance. It is an octagon. The second row of walls has not survived. Entry to the castle was possible by stone bridge. There is a garden and park ensemble in front of the castle.

Plessis-les-Tours

This is a late Gothic French castle, a former royal residence. The chateau was built in the 11th century for Louis the Eleventh, at the end of the 15th century. The king died in the castle in 1483. After the revolution, three quarters of the chateau was dismantled, the surviving part was used as a farm. Today the castle belongs to the Polish community. The room in which the king died and the prison premises are open to the public.

Lange

Construction of the castle began at the end of the tenth century. In the 12th century it was expanded by King Richard the Lionheart. During the Hundred Years' War, Langeais was significantly destroyed by the British. The castle was built in the Renaissance style. The drawbridge, battlements of the towers, and part of the fireplace have survived to this day. Today Langeais houses the French State Archives, a small hotel and a museum.

Gizo

The history of the castle begins in the 14th century, when a defensive fortress stood in its place. It belonged to the du Bellay family for a long time. Then the owners of the castle changed until the Marquis of Gizo bought it. The building was rebuilt several times and retains traces of the Renaissance and the Renaissance. There is a park near Gizo.

Reo

This is a Renaissance castle located in Touraine. It was founded by the Brisonnet family, the date of construction is considered to be 1462. Today the chateau is privately owned. But it has an art gallery dedicated to the theme of male and female legs. The castle is included in the list of historical monuments of France.

Monsoreau

This is a medieval castle built in the 15th century by an advisor to King Charles the Seventh. It served as an important strategic fortress, as it stands at the intersection of the Loire and Vienne rivers. The castle retains an octagonal tower from the 15th century. The fortress was rebuilt during the Renaissance. Inside there are many fireplaces, spacious halls, two spiral staircases. Today the castle is occupied by a museum.

Saumur

Saumur is located in the town of the same name. It was finally completed in the 16th century. The castle was built in the shape of an irregular quadrangle. There are towers in the corners. In the center of the castle, the foundations of the donjon have been preserved. Today, within the walls of Saumur there is a museum of decorative arts and a museum telling about the use of horses in different countries.

Bumua

The castle is located 10 kilometers from Saumur. It was built in the 13th century, then destroyed by the British during the Hundred Years' War and rebuilt in the 16th century. The facade of the castle has heavy ascetic and medieval forms, the windows are loopholes, and the courtyard is made in the spirit of the Renaissance. The castle was badly damaged during the world wars, but was restored.

Brissac

The castle was built in the 11th century by Fulk Nerra. Then it was acquired by the royal minister Pierre de Breze. A historical event took place in the castle - the reconciliation of Marie de Medici and her son Louis the Thirteenth. In 1502, Brissac bought out René de Causset. Today the castle belongs to his descendants.

Montgeoffroy

This is one of a small number of Loire castles that have preserved medieval interiors. It was built in the Renaissance style at the end of the 18th century. The castle was built in the shape of a horseshoe. All paintings and interior panels are in the same places where they were hung by the first owner of the castle.

Castle of the Dukes of Breton

Located in the city of Nantes. It stands on the banks of the Loire; in past centuries, the water from the moat was connected with the water of the Loire River. The date of foundation of the castle is considered to be 1207. The castle was declared a historical monument back in 1862. Today it is a popular tourist destination and houses a museum of the history of Nantes.

Chateaudun

This is the former residence of the Counts of Dunois. It was built in the 12th – 14th centuries. Located near the modern city of Chartres. The history of the castle began back in 1171. At this time the donjon was built. The chateau was rebuilt several times. Today the architecture of the castle includes: a donjon, a large chapel, the wings of Dunois and Longueville.

people

The castle was rebuilt many times. Initially it was a fortress surrounded by six towers. There are different styles in architecture: neoclassical, renaissance, neo-Gothic. Many rooms have retained their original decoration. Today the chateau is privately owned.

Bazuj

The fortress was built back in the eleventh century to protect the upper borders of the county of Anjou. The castle changed owners several times and was rebuilt. Today it is surrounded by a moat and a drawbridge leads to the fortress. The castle retains a 15th-century chapel and an ancient, original fireplace. Nearby, on an area of ​​1 hectare, there is a park with a complex system of canals.

Lawarden

The castle was built in the 11th century and was originally a wooden fortress. Then a stone citadel was erected in its place. In the 14th century, Lavarden became an impregnable fortress; King Charles the Seventh even stayed there. In the 16th century, the castle was taken and destroyed. Subsequently, plans were considered to rebuild Lawarden. But the castle is still in a dilapidated state.

Vendôme

The ruins of the medieval castle of Vendôme are located in the town of the same name. In 1840 they were declared a cultural and historical monument. The castle was built in the 11th century. In the 16th century, Henry the Fourth captured the castle and his troops destroyed the citadel. Vendôme changed owners, fell into disrepair and is still being destroyed.

Montoir

A historical monument, of which only ruins remain. The castle was built at the end of the eleventh century. After some time, Montoir was captured by the troops of the English king Richard the Lionheart. The castle was badly damaged as a result of the religious wars, lost its strategic purpose and fell into disrepair.

Freteval

Initially, the castle was intended for military purposes. It was built on the ruins of defensive fortifications in the 11th century. The castle occupies about five hectares. It has three lines of defense and a stone dungeon. Today Freteval is losing its appearance and is in a dilapidated state.

Corn d'Urfe

Currently, there are ruins on the site of the medieval castle. In 1946 they were included in the list of protected French historical monuments. The castle was first built in the 12th century by the Marquis d'Urfe. In the 15th century it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. After the French Revolution, the owners abandoned the fortress, and it gradually began to turn into ruins.

Beaufort

The castle was built in 1200, on the initiative of the Beaufort family. Located in the commune of Goudet, it is the second oldest castle in the Loire Valley. The first mention of it dates back to the 12th century. The fortress played an important role during the Hundred Years' War with the British. Today the castle is a ruin. The remains of Beaufort are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.