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The kings of France, seduced by the temperate climate and the game-filled forests, built their sumptuous homes in the Loire Valley. They surrounded themselves with the greatest artists and architects of this era. This is the "country of a thousand castles". The valley is full of not only royal castles and renaissance palaces, national museums and large magnificent châteaux, but also Medieval castles and fortresses, small fairy tale manors, private châteaux, Medieval cities, churches, abbeys, and cathedrals. Many châteaux and stately homes are open to the public: some are state owned, such as Chambord and Blois; others are private, and still lived in. A large proportion of them run son-et-lumière shows during the tourist season. Château de Chenonceau and Château de Chambord are definitely worth a visit and are close by.
The rolling countryside offers excellent walking and cycling possibilities as well as water sports, horse riding and golf.
Château de Chenonceau
"Le Château des Dames", built on a bridge across the river Cher, is one of the more romantic châteaux of the Loire with elegant turrets, arches and stately avenues bordered by plane trees. Its romantic feel is further heightened by the fact that its stylised and symmetrical structure is reflected in the waters of the Cher.
Chenonceau owes much of its design and beauty to four women in particular. It was Catherine de Briconnet who first started the trend and was largely responsible for its early Renaissance style. Catherine then passed the baton to Diane de Poiters (mistress of Henri II) who was responsible for the formal gardens to the left of the château as you approach it.
Unfortunately Diane de Poitiers was forced to relinquish ownership of Chenonceau to Catherine de Medici (the embittered wife of Henri II) who offered Château de Chaumont in exchange. Not entirely a fair swap! Later the castle was inherited by Louise de Lorraine, the bereaved wife of Henri III Catherine's favourite son. Louise painted her bedroom ceiling black and white out of respect for her late husband.
Madame Dupin also had a pivotal role in the development of Chenonceau in the 18th century and was responsible for encouraging literary events to be held here. The likes of Rousseau, Voltaire and Montesquieu all spent time here. Today Chenonceau is a profitable business owned by the Menier family who are known as respected chocolatiers.
Château de Chambord
Chambord is truly royal in its “great scale, its grand air, its indifference to common consideration" (Henry James). It combined the dream of King François I with the imagination ofLeonardo de Vinci. The result is a real "mathematisation" of architecture, a grandiose creation : 440 rooms with 365 fireplaces, a fabulous double staircase, and a unique roof terrace.
