Some castles in the Loire Valley worth a visit

We recommend some castles in the Loire Valley that really are worth a visit. Below is a non-exhaustive list of tourist sites not far from the Château des Sept Tours:

Amboise Castle: This legendary monument and its landscaped gardens offer one of the most magnificent views over the Loire Valley. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Each tour of the castle gives you an interesting look at this important place in French history: its political and artistic influence throughout Europe during the Renaissance, the private lives of the sovereigns, everyday life and behind the scenes at Court.

 

The Royal Castle at Blois: This is a typical example of the architecture and history of the castles of the Loire. Its courtyard provides a panorama of French architecture from the Middle Ages to the 17^th century. It housed seven kings and ten queens of France and is a living testimony to the power and the everyday life at Court during the Renaissance, with the richly furnished royal apartments decorated in magnificent colours.

 

View the virtual tour seen from the inner courtyard.

Chaumont sur Loire Castle: a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a good example of Gothic style fortifications and decorative Renaissance architecture.

 

Villandry Castle: Long avenues lined with lime trees give structure to the four levels in the gardens, the delicate silhouettes of the topiary yew trees, vegetables and flowers, smells and flavours, calm yet lively, peaceful yet bubbling with life.

Villandry is a site full of art and festivity, knowledge and innovation, professionalism and family fun, and will delight everyone who goes there!

Also at Villandry in 2012: three exhibitions and six events, as well as the adventure trail for children aged 7-12 and their families, “Entrez dans la Cour des Grands” (let’s play with the big kids!).

 

We will shortly be adding to this non-exhaustive list of castles in the Loire Valley.