If you are already thinking about your next trip, you cannot miss some of our proposals. There are places that will always leave us amazed, since they seem taken from a story. The route of the castles of the Loire Valley in France It is one of those sites that does not leave anyone indifferent. It is one of the most romantic and amazing routes that can be done in France knowing an area full of castles of incredible beauty.
When we talk about the castles of the Loire We are talking about these constructions that are found in the lower middle part of the course of the Loire River in central France. Many of these castles have their origin in the Middle Ages, built as authentic fortresses, although later chateaux were also created, which are intended as residences for the nobility. Today these castles are part of the World Heritage Site.
Prepare your visit
In the Loire Valley area we can find more than fifty castles, which makes it difficult to see them all. That is why what is usually done is a list with the castles of greatest interest, making a route to cover them. The vast majority are located between the cities of Angers and Orleans, so the route is usually made from one to the other. The best times are during spring and fall, when the weather is good, since you can not only visit the castles, but also the surroundings with forests, gardens or vineyards.
Castle of Sully-sur-Loire
This XNUMXth century castle is one of the most well used like a defensive fortress in wars. It is surrounded by a moat and you can walk along its walkway or go inside to see the tomb of the Earl of Sully or an ancient XNUMXth century cannon frame.
Chenonceau Castle
This is one of the most beautiful castles in the Loire and also one of the most popular. It's a XNUMXth century castle known as the 'castle of the ladies' due to the changes it underwent by different women over time. It has one of the most impressive interiors and with great beauty on the outside with its white tone, the turrets and the gardens. Furthermore, an important collection of paintings by artists such as Rubens or Murillo awaits us inside.
Chambord castle
This is the other really popular castle where you have to find the entrance in advance so as not to be left without it. King Francis I used the beautiful surrounding forests to hunt and it is one of the largest on the Loire River with more than four hundred rooms. It offers us a great example of the French Renaissance and has a large staircase inside that they say was designed by Leonardo da Vinci.
Villandry Castle
The most beautiful gardens of the castles of the Loire seem to be in the Castle of Villandry. This castle was built during the Renaissance and has very large and truly amazing gardens that are one of the most beautiful in France. They have different designs and themes on three levels of terraces.
Chaumont Castle
This is found in other of the most important that we should never skip. This castle belonged to Catherine de Medici and was built in the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. It is a large castle with English-style gardens and works of art. It is a fairly restored castle with marked towers reminiscent of those typical fairytale castles. In addition, from its terrace you can see a wonderful panoramic view of the Loire Valley.