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Châteaux

Château du Moulin

Château du Moulin, which dates from the end of the 15th century, is nestled in the Sologne forest south of Blois and just west of Romorantin-Lanthenay at the end of a private road. The sign at the gate beckons you to follow the road on foot where you arrive at a private residence.  Had it not been for this small sign we ...

Chaumont sur Loire – a Chateau Perched on the Loire

Perched above the town, the château of Chaumont sur Loire is set on a bluff overlooking the Loire River between Amboise and Blois. Chaumont, built in the 10th century as a fort, was to protect Blois from feudal attacks. The fortress burned in 1465 and then rebuilt. The towers you see are 20 meters high (over 65 feet) and the ...

Clos Lucé is one of 2 French Castles in Amboise

Amboise has two French castles: Clos Lucé and the Château d'Amboise. The manor house of Clos Lucé belonged to the King of France, François I. In 1516 Leonardo da Vinci came to France at the King's invitation and here he resided the last three years of his life. He brought with him several of his painting, the most ...

Château d’Amboise is a Majestic Feature of Amboise

The French castle, Château d'Amboise, soars above the river Loire in the beautiful little riverside town of Amboise. Although Amboise has a busy tourist trade, my favorite time to photograph city streets is during the lunch hour when everyone is either at a cafe or home eating. The styles of architecture are much easier ...

Château d’Azay-le-Rideau Floats Elegantly in the Indre

The French castle of Azay-le-Rideau is a beautiful little château. It that appears to float in the middle of the Indre river. The Indre is a tributary of the Loire. Château d'Azay-le-Rideau is one of the first of many Renaissance style châteaux constructed in the Loire Valley. What a wonderful example of Italianate ...

Brancion- a Hidden Gem in the Heart of Southern Burgundy

Read my story in French » Brancion is in the heart of southern Burgundy. In addition, it is an easy drive from Saint- Gengoux , Tournus, Chalon-sur-Saône, Mâcon, Taizé or Cluny . The idea of visiting an authentic medieval village filled us with anticipation as we drove up to Brancion. For the most part, we cycled to ...

Château de Fougères Delights the Imagination

Château de Fougères dates back to the year 1000 and was the cornerstone of Brittany's border defenses during the Middle Ages. Only a simple tower surrounded most likely by a wooden fence, the first Château was destroyed in 1166 by Henry II Plantagenet. Baron Raoul II (we will see his name again on one of the towers) ...