Renaissance of a region
Let's start with the most sumptuous and powerful masterpiece of the region, Chambord Castle. Much more than a castle, he symbolizes the omnipotence that Francis I wanted to impose on his rival, Charles Quint. This is demonstrated at first sight by this massive enclosure and its colossal dungeon flanked by four towers. With feudal and Italian inspiration, this stone fantasy has no less than 440 pieces, 84 staircases, 335 stacks and 800 capitals requiring the labor of 1,800 workers for over thirty years. The name of Leonardo de Vinci was a name that imagines the famous double-revolution staircase allowing two people to climb or descend without ever meeting. Through the collections of about 3,000 objects of art, furniture and tapestries, we can revive five centuries of history where the castle hosted the greatest of this world. Museum of History if it is, Chambord intends to remain a place living with various animations, such as the big brocany, the cheerful concerts and the magnificent spectacle sound and light that illuminate the summer nights from late June to September. Nearby is the stunning Cheverny Castle. It is said to be the most beautifully furnished of all, and it has preserved its magnificent seventeenth century interiors in part inherited from Jean Monnier's talent. The readers of Tintin will recognize the architecture of the Château de Moulinsart, owned by Captain Haddock, whose model he was. Moreover, the Hergé Foundation and the domain of Cheverny together created a permanent exhibition, «The Secrets of the Moulinsart», within the castle!
By continuing our road, we fall on Amboise, dominated by an ancient medieval fortress transformed into castle by Charles VII, Louis XI and Charles VIII. Here was born François I, here is buried Leonardo de Vinci who lived next to, at the Château du Clos-Lucé. All the kings of France from Charles VII to François I also stayed there and served a time of royal prison where Louis XIV sent Fouquet. Before leaving, look at the panorama from the island of Golden and uncover one of the seventeenth century follies: the pagoda of Chanteloup built by the Duke of Choiseul within an English decor.
Barring the quiet courtyard of the Cher, Chenonceau's castle-bridge is among the most beautiful of the Loire. It is called the "Ladies Castle" because of the richness of its interior décor, which was the work of various women: Catherine Briçonnet to Ms. Pelouze, passing through Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Médicis, Louise de Lorraine and finally Ms. Dupin. In addition to the perfection of its architecture, which is reflected in water mirrors, Chenonceau is distinguished by its collections of Renaissance furniture, its sixteenth and sixteenth centuries tapestries and its numerous paintings of master.
Azay-the-Rideau was built at the same time as Thomas Boyesterday was awarded Chenonceau. Synthesis of medieval transitions and Renaissance innovations, we distinguish the traditional device of defensive architecture (turrets, round paths, niches, moves, etc.) and the delicacy of a time opening up to pleasures: the skylights rise, the ceilings are burdened with adorned casing and the staircase is exposed.
Kyrielle of styles…
If the Renaissance brand marks the heritage of the Loire, it can be distinguished from other eras and other functions in these palaces. A large river port in the Gaul era, Chinon's austere fortress reflects its defensive function as well as Langeais Castle, built by Louis XI to protect Towers from Breton invasions. We will notice here all the military architecture of the fifteenth century. Below, this is Saumur and his castle drawn up the top of the hill.
Rebuilt by Saint Louis and transformed into recreational accommodation by Louis Ier d 'Anjou, the fortress becomes «love castel» by the grace of René d' Anjou. Located in the very heart of the city, the castle of Blois presents a panorama of the architecture of the Middle Ages until classical times. It truly fits into history by becoming a royal residence with the advent of Louis XII, who undertakes to rebuild it. In the evening, the castle animates the sounds and lights of a beautiful spectacle that traces its history.
… And myriad gardens
What would these castles be without their vegetable adornments and their flowered embroideries? The gardens of the Loire Valley are very coveted, especially in summer. Built in the middle of the sixteenth century, Villandry Castle boasts splendid gardens that are distinguished by a garden tradition and Italian taste for ornamentation.
Built from the tenth century, Chaumont-sur-Loire Castle has a decked park in twenty-six parcels which are carried out in so many exceptional gardens. The park of Valmer Castle is a different inspiration. The succession of rhythmic terraces of balustrades and walls on 30 m of decay evokes the ordering of transalpine villas during the Renaissance era. The gardens of Blois, Plessis Sasnières and Talcy Castle, rank among the outstanding gardens, just like the English-style park and the "Portraits" garden of the Beauregard Castle, awarded 12 gardens where 400 perennial and clematite species flourish in the eyes of visitors.
The area of Chambord, with its 5,440 ha and 31 km of walls, is the largest enclosed forest park in Europe. Deer, biches, wild boars, deer, sheep and foxes live there. We can go through the Land Rover reserve under the leadership of a forester. To enjoy Mother Nature's goodness, take your bikes along the route "La Loire by Bike": 400 km marked from Cuffy to Saint Brévin. This small ribbon, made of small lanes and bike paths, offers unsolitary escapades and visits the unmissable sites recognized by UNESCO.
Smart News
When is it? From the spring of the spring to the autumnal glimmers to enjoy the spectacle of a nature in a majesty; Take care of the great tributaries of July and August, the visits are made to the leu leu.
Useful. To organize his getaway best.
BLOIS-CHAMBORD TOURISM BOARD
Go there. The region is well served. We joined Blois by the A 10 (Paris-Bordeaux) and the A 71 (via Clermont-Ferrand). National 10 and 20 also lead. By train, Blois is at 1 hour 30 from Paris en TER and Tours at 55 minutes by the TGV.
BLOIS TRAIN STATION
TOURS SNCF TRAIN STATION
