Historical Gems of the Loire Valley

Like many people, when we hear “Loire Valley” we immediately think of centuries old castles and their royal inhabitants. What we didn’t really understand before touring France is that the Loire Valley actually includes two different regions: Pays de la Loire and Centre-Val de Loire. There are around 300 castles in the entire Loire Valley so seeing all of them would take a significant amount of time! This post is dedicated to some of the top must-see castles located throughout the entirety of the Loire Valley, including the 3 that we visited as well as the ones that we have added to our bucket list for return visits to the area. However, if you're interested in some of the other amazing things to do and see in the Loire Valley (outside of just the castles), you can check out our two previous posts that round-up the highlights of the Pays de la Loire and the Centre-Val de Loire regions.

Must-See Castles of the Loire Valley

1. Château de Chenonceau – Built on an arched bridge over the Cher River, Château de Chenonceau is a glorious sight to behold. This castle served as the site of royal drama in the 16th century. King Henry II gifted the residence to his mistress Diane de Poitiers. Upon his untimely death, his widow, Catherine de’ Medici, forced the mistress from the residence and ordered renovations that created the royal residence you can tour today. If you look closely, you’ll find her insignia - an interlocking set of capital “Cs,” topped with a crown - throughout the castle. Kids benefit from the offering of an engaging audio guide that will teach them the history of the castle and provide some humor. The park located on the property also includes a playground to help work off any pent up energy. For a truly unique experience, you can even rent a canoe or kayak and paddle your way under the archways that form the foundation of the castle. We can’t wait to include this amazing castle on our next trip!

1. Château Royal d’Amboise – Rising high above the town of Amboise, the stunning property of Château Royal d’Amboise has gorgeous views of the Loire River. During its peak, this was a favorite residence of several kings of France. King Francis I was raised here and famously invited his friend Leonardo da Vinci to stay in nearby Château du Clos Lucé. Upon the death of King Francis I, his son and heir, Henry II ascended to the throne. Henry II and his wife, Catherine de’ Medici, raised their children in Amboise. They also served as hosts and guardians to young Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, who was betrothed to their eldest son, Francis II.

   We thoroughly enjoyed our self-guided tour of this castle and its gardens. You can access our in-depth post for a more detailed description of the castle, gardens, and the town of Amboise. From the beautiful Saint-Hubert Chapel (believed to be the final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci) to the detailed gargoyles and manicured gardens, the town of Amboise and its stunning castle should not be missed!

Click on photo to enlarge and see descriptions.

1. Château du Clos Lucé – Located a short walk from Château Royal d’Amboise, you’ll find the charming Château du Clos Lucé. Originally known as Château du Cloux, it was gifted by King Louis XI to his former kitchen boy in 1471. Years later it was purchased by Charles VIII and became a summer house for the kings of France. The defining moment for this beautiful château came when Francis I named Leonardo da Vinci as “Premier Painter and Engineer and Architect of the king” and offered him exclusive use of Château du Clos Lucé. Da Vinci spent the last three years of his life there, working on several projects for the king. He entertained esteemed visitors and fellow artists and architects. An underground tunnel even connected Clos Lucé to the Château d’Amboise, making visits between da Vinci and his good friend, Francis I, much more convenient.

   A visit to Clos Lucé will give you access to da Vinci’s bedchamber with its view of Château Royal d’Amboise. You’ll also be able to see the oratory of Anne of Brittany, wife to Charles VIII. Above the door, the image of the Virgin of Light, Virgo Lucis, is thought to have inspired the change in name from Château du Cloux to Château du Clos Lucé.

   Clos Lucé offers multiple ways to help your children enjoy touring the property. They can walk through da Vinci’s living workshops that give insight into his creative and artistic mind. Children ages 7 to 12 can also become a student of the famous creator. Using The Inventor's Notebook, a provided booklet, each child is given tips and tricks allowing them to invent their own machine. They will even have a chance to test some of the inventor’s real life creations!

1. Château de Blois – This medieval castle, located in the middle of town, provides an illustration of how architecture evolved from the Middle Ages through the 17th century. The royal footprint of Château de Blois is evidenced from the red brick and gray stone that mark the oldest part of the château which was commissioned by Louis XII, to the beautiful open circular staircase in the renaissance wing which was added by Francis I. Inside, visitors will find fully restored features including exquisite floor tiles and intricate arches and columns. The restored royal apartments will give visitors a peek into the everyday life of some of the most powerful figures in French history. You can even take a seat on the royal throne for a photo! In all, 7 kings and 10 queens of France resided here. It has hosted numerous historical figures over the centuries, including Joan of Arc who made an appearance here to be blessed before going on to break the Siege of Orléans in 1429. In addition to its rich historical significance and stunning architecture, Château de Blois displays an extensive collection of art, furniture, and period artifacts.

1. Château de Chaumont – First erected in the 10th century by Odo I, Count of Blois, as a defensive fortress, Château de Chaumont has seen its share of historical moments. It was burned to the ground by King Louis XI as punishment for the involvement of Pierre d’Amboise in a revolt against the royals. Years later, Charles I d’Amboise rebuilt it.

   Queen Catherine de’ Medici purchased the Château in 1550 and likely used it as a mid-way stop between the Châteaux d’Amboise and Blois. After her husband, Henry II’s untimely death in 1559, the widowed queen forced a deal with the king’s longtime mistress Diane de Poitiers. In exchange for de Poitiers returning Château de Chenonceau (which belonged to the Crown) the queen would give her Château de Chaumont. Poitiers went on to make significant improvements to the property and its current appearance is a result of her vision. The castle bears several of her marks. In addition to the two interlaced “Ds,” she also used the hunting horn, the bow, the quiver, the arrows, and the three circles to represent the huntress-goddess Diana.

1. Château de Villandry – Dating back to 1536, Château de Villandry was built by Jean le Breton, one of King Francis I’s finance ministers. He designed the architecture in the Renaissance style with a gallery of arcades (a succession of contiguous arches, each supported by a colonnade of columns) and a steeply sloping roof. This château was the last of the major Loire châteaux built during the Renaissance. Today, only the castle’s keep still remains. You won’t want to miss the stunning views from the top of the one remaining section of the original medieval château. The real jewel of this property, however, will be found in the gardens.

   Considered one of the most beautiful gardens in Europe, the Gardens of Villandry consist of several hectares of natural plant life mixed with incredibly beautiful stonework. These Renaissance gardens feature formal boxwood hedges aligned in geometric patterns. You’ll also find 6 hectares of kitchen gardens (so named because of the fresh herbs and produce grown there for use in cooking), cascading flowers, climbing vines, and water flowing in several fountains.

   Villandry is particularly welcoming to families. Kids can explore the (not so difficult) maze in the gardens and even solve riddles. Utilizing the provided playbooks, children are led from flower beds to terraces, learning history while they explore. It’s not difficult to understand why this beautiful property is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the gardens of Villandry are open year-round, the castle is closed to visitors for part of the winter so check their website before visiting.

1. Château d’Ussé – Château d’Ussé is said to have served as the inspiration for Charles Perrault’s penning of the “Sleeping Beauty” fairy tale. Featured in one tower of the castle, you’ll find a walk-through display of the story. The original tale differs somewhat from the familiar Disney interpretation, maintaining its slightly more sinister storyline. Our girls particularly enjoyed seeing an original antique wooden spinning wheel during this portion of our tour.

   The Collegiate Chapel of Notre Dame d’Ussé is one of the highlights of any tour here. Named for Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary, the chapel is a beautiful example of Renaissance architecture. You’ll want to pay particular attention to the intricate details carved into the wood and stone. Nearby, the wine cellars that serviced the estate were carved into the stone hillside of the property. Even now, you can explore the caves that once made up the vast wine cellar.

   Spread out in front of the castle you’ll find the beautiful formal French gardens. We loved the gardens which were designed by André Le Nôtre who was also responsible for the gardens in Versailles. They were particularly stunning when viewed from the courtyard terrace. While Château d’Ussé is not the most famous castle in the region, it does hold some rich history and it played host to some noteworthy visitors. We loved the beautiful, wooded setting of the Chinon Forest and imagined that it was a peaceful respite for the French royalty and aristocrats in its prime. To read more about our visit to this beautiful castle, you can check out our dedicated post here. Château d’Ussé is closed during the winter (from mid-November through mid-February) so be sure to plan your visit accordingly.

1. Royal Fortress of Chinon – The Royal Fortress of Chinon sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Vienne River, a strategic position. The Counts of Blois built the first real fortress on the site during the 10th century. They held it until they were overthrown by their bitter enemies, the Counts of Anjou. It wasn’t until 1154 that it began to look like the fortress it is today. It became the main residence of Henry II, the King of England, who was also then the Count of Anjou. His own son, Richard the Lionheart, attempted and failed to overthrow him, leaving Henry II heartbroken. Upon Henry’s death, his estranged son became Richard I, King of England. In 1205, Philippe-Auguste captured Chinon after an eight month long battle and the province of Anjou was annexed to France.

   Much remains of this ancient château where you’ll be invited to walk in the shadow of the famous residents, visitors, and events that took place within its walls. Joan of Arc famously met with Charles VII at Chinon in 1429 before going on to liberate Orléans from England. The château also has very strong links to the Knights Templar, a military order of the Roman Catholic Church. The last Grand Masters of the order were imprisoned at Chinon before being put to death in Paris by order of the Vatican who also disbanded the order. You can even play the Monument Game where your mission is to free the souls of the Templars who continue to haunt the Fortress. Despite its ancient roots, this fortress will delight young and old with fun activities, advanced technology, and immersive experiences that bring history to life. Visitors can use the provided tablet to enjoy an immersive audio tour. Guided tours are also available, including special options for those needing sign language, visual accommodations, or help with mobility.

1. Château de Cheverny – Château de Cheverny holds the distinction of being in the same family, the Hurault family, for over six centuries. Though still occupied by descendents of the original builders, the château has been opening its doors to the public since 1922. It was built sometime between 1604 and 1635 in pure Louis XIII classical style. Widely believed to be the most beautifully furnished of all the Loire Valley castles, the furniture, wall coverings, and decorations will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

   After touring the castle, you’ll want to take time to explore the orangerie and the gardens. This property has a whimsical feel to it, with multiple gardens and even a maze that delights younger visitors. Guests are also able to board an electric car or boat, operated by staff members, which will take them on a tour with viewpoints that aren’t otherwise available. 

1. Château de Sully-sur-Loire – Noted for providing the backdrop for many historical encounters, Château de Sully-sur-Loire has hosted Joan of Arc, Voltaire, Marquis de Lafayette (who brought cypresses back from the U.S. that still grow here), and many kings of French history. Its history dates back to the Middle Ages. The current castle’s construction began with the keep which was built in 1395. In those days, defense was its primary purpose so moats, drawbridges, and other design features were incorporated to enable the proactive use of weapons to protect the crossing of the Loire River. In addition, it was important that the structure’s size communicated the magnitude of the lord’s power, thus explaining the enormous size of the building.  

   Over the centuries, the structure was enhanced and modified. During the French Revolution, the eighth Duke of Sully, who sympathized with the revolutionaries, even had the crowns (roofs) of the six towers removed to represent the decapitation of Louis XVI. The 20th century proved challenging with the failures of planned renovations, a fire which wreaked havoc, and WWII which left scars on the ancient castle.

   Today, visitors can wander through 19 rooms from the imposing large rooms of the keep to the King’s room and the dining room. (You can even experience an escape room!) You’ll also want to meander through the castle’s vast park, parts of which date back to the Middle Ages. Here, you’ll find dozens of species of butterflies, dragonflies, birds, and plants.

1. Château de Chambord – The largest of all the Loire castles, Château de Chambord is known for its intricate chimneys and towers. It is also rumored to have been the inspiration for the Beast’s castle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.  Built to act as a hunting lodge, the château was commissioned by King Francis I in the 16th century. Unfortunately, he spent very little time there before his death. Under the reign of Louis XIV, construction was finally completed. The great keep was restored and the royal apartments were furnished. A few weeks each year, it became a destination for grand hunting parties and festive entertainment for over 2,000 guests at a time.

   We very much enjoyed our self-guided tour of the property. For a more detailed account of our visit, you can visit our dedicated post. We marveled at the ornate architectural details, including the unique double helix staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci. We added a HistoPad rental to our admission ticket and that piece of technology served as the perfect tool for keeping Sophie interested and engaged throughout our visit. Before leaving the property, we indulged in a late lunch at an outdoor cafe with a beautiful view. This castle is definitely worth a visit!

There are so many amazing châteaux scattered throughout the Loire Valley of France. We have given you just a sample of those that we’ve visited and that we have put on our bucket list for a return trip to the area. Have you toured any of the castles in France? What were your favorites? We’d love to hear from you and hope we’ve inspired you to add some of these locations to your own Uncommon Family Adventures!