The Châteaux of the Loire Valley
June 8th, 2010 | Travel | No Comments »
Visiting the glorious châteaux of the Loire valley is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The children will love the fairytale aspect of the holiday, and the adults will be enchanted by this region’s rich history and breathtaking views. The Loire valley and all its treasures should be part of any traveler’s “must-see” plans.
A good place to use as a sightseeing base is Tours, where culture and history intersect to form a busy and beautiful urban center. Although it suffered extensive bombing damage in World War II, the city has been restored to offer wonderful museums, a magnificent flamboyant Gothic cathedral, great shopping and fine restaurants. Many visitors come to Tours uniquely to drink the highly-regarded Loire Valley wines. If wine-tasting is a passion, try the region’s Sauvignon Blanc, a local Vouvray or a Muscadet from the Atlantic coast.
The Tours tourism office is an excellent resource and the place to go to begin exploring this area. (Office de Tourism de Tours, 78-82 rue Bernard Palissy, open weekdays 8:30 – 19h00; Sundays 10-12h30 and 14h30-17h00). Here you can chose from a selection of guided visits of the city, its museums, or its gardens. You may also reserve a guided tour which takes you through the region’s châteaux, with choices ranging from day coach trips to more extensive tours which include 1-2 nights in a hotel.
Choosing which châteaux to see is a challenge; among the most popular are Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau and Chambord.
Azay-le-Rideau
A splendid example of Renaissance architecture, Azay-le-Rideau is one of the first stops after leaving Tours. Constructed in the 16th century, the detail work on this château gives it the reputation of being one of the most “feminine” in the Loire Valley. Be sure to have a close look at the staircase which is famous for its elaborate carved decorative work. If the weather is nice, there are lovely strolling paths along the grounds and along the Indre river. In the summer evenings, the château hosts a spectacular son et lumière, or light and music show. Azay-le-Rideau is open year-round.
Chenonceau
Also built during the Renaissance period, the château de Chenonceau reaches across the Cher river with an impressive 197-foot arched structure. The magnificent reflection makes for perfect photographs so have your camera ready. Chenonceau is the most-visited châteaux in France after Versailles, and it is no surprise why. With its royal architecture and sumptuously furnished interior, a visit to this special place will forever be remembered by young and old alike. Open year-round, with audioguided or guided tours available.
Chambord
Chambord is the largest of the châteaux of the Loire Valley, and its design is said to have been based on an idea of Leonardo da Vinci’s. Completed in 1685, Chambord is a monument to young King François the First’s two loves: hunting and architecture. The massive scale of this château is impressive: visitors can, if they have the energy, view all 90 rooms! Most people are happy with a picking up one of the multi-lingual brochures at the entrance to the château and then selecting what they’d like to see best. For those traveling with children, there are special visits led by a guide in character costume
If you enjoy taking a step back in time during your holidays then a travel through time in South America is a must.