Castles of the Loire Valley
 |
Discover the delights of the Loire Valley. Chenonceau, Amboise, Blois and Cheverny open their doors and welcome you back to the time of the Kings of France.
Well known for its beautiful landscapes, lovely weather and gentle way of life, the Loire region was greatly enjoyed by the Kings of France from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century, who eagerly constructed their castles here.
|
Cheverny CastleCheverny Castle, built in the seventeenth century, was inspired by the Luxembourg Palace. A perfect example of classical French architecture, it is also the castle which inspired Hergé’s famous Marlinspike (Moulinsart) castle in the Tintin comics. The splendid interior decoration is a work by a native of Blois – Jean Monier. 34 wooden panels placed on the walls of the dining room, retell the story of Don Quixote (a character of a novel by Cervantes). Upstairs, you can admire sumptuous decoration of the King’s Chamber, particularly its coffered ceiling. |
|
 |
 |
 |
Blois CastleBlois Castle is built in four sections surrounding the court, four castles, four eras, four pillars of French architecture: Eighteenth century Gothic style - the gothic dining room is the oldest of its kind in France;Flamboyant gothic style – Louis XII introduced the Renaissance style when he made Blois the royal residence and added a wing at the end of the fifteenth century; Sixteenth century Renaissance style - Francis I incorporated a decorative Italian architecture with the round staircase and the Loges façade; Seventeenth century classical architecture - the best example is the Francois Mansart dome.
|
 |
 |
Chenonceau CastleChenonceau Castle, the most exquisite of the Loire castles, is the most popular historical monument in France after Versailles. Built on the river Cher, the waters reflect the unique beauty of the Renaissance architecture; Chenonceau Castle is the jewel in the Loire crown. This enchanting place, with its surrounding French gardens and park, has an aura of delicate elegance
|
The gardens of ChenonceauAfter your unforgettable visit to the castle, you are free to explore the vast Chenonceau estate with its two famous and outstanding gardens, named after their patrons Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. Chenonceau is not only remarkable because of its architecture and history but also due to the wealth of its collections, the tour inside the castle will reveal Renaissance furniture, a series of tapestries from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and many revered paintings. Among the most famous being, Le Primatice, le Correge, Rubens, Le Tintoret, Rigaud, Nattier, Van Loo.
|
|
 |
 |
AmboiseBuild in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, this classically royal castle, introduced an Italian taste to the Loire Valley. The historical setting creates the perfect atmosphere for the exceptional collection of gothic and Renaissance furniture. After a visit to the royal lodgings, a walk in the beautiful panoramic gardens with Mediterranean plants is in order. In the Saint Hubert chapel, the tomb of Leonardo de Vinci has recently been elegantly restored.
|
Gardens of Amboise CastleThe royal gardens of Amboise are original because they are located inside the fortress of the castle itself. Open and over-looking the town and the Loire Valley, they have for some time now been undergoing a thorough landscaping. Created at the end of the fifteenth century by a landscape architect, a monk from Naples, the style is more reminiscent of the warmer Italian peninsular. |
Program
Saturday’s program:
|
Sunday’s program :
|
Tarifs and Dates
Price: starting from €140Included in price:
|
Tours Coming Up!: |