Loire Châteaux

Loire Châteaux – The Loire Valley follows the western stretch of the Loire River, the longest in France, between Orléans and Nantes. This region is the most heavily forested in France. Our explorations of  Loire châteaux will be focused in this region. You can find other  Châteaux in France by clicking on  Châteaux in the categories tag at the right.

Château de la Moulin

Enjoy French castles as we wander through the Loire Valley and experience 5 centuries of Royal architecture ! Azay-le-Rideau is my favorite thus far in our travels.

Pre-15th Century Loire Châteaux

Châteaux (French castles) built by kings as military fortresses during the pre – 15th centuries are often positioned on rocky promontories or safeguarded by drawbridges.

Château de Chinon

15th and 16th Century Loire Châteaux

Château d’Azay le Rideau

Loire Châteaux built during the 15th and 16th centuries have architectural features that showcase wealth and ancestry. These châteaux were built as pleasure palaces.

16th-18th Century Loire Châteaux

Châteaux built in the Baroque period, 16th-18th centuries feature paintings, sculptures and classical architecture integrated in the structure.

Château de Chenonceau

The vast majority of the major châteaux are now unfurnished since it was not until the 17th century that châteaux began to have permanent furnishings. Restorations during the 19th and 20th centuries have attempted to reconstruct original furnishings.

It is very easy to develop “châteaux overload” so pace yourself. If you go by car it is so easy to try to “do too much”. Visiting only one or possibly two châteaux (their interiors and grounds) per day will allow you to enjoy and absorb all that you see!

Traveling by train allows “down-time” between the châteaux and it also enables the driver to enjoy the vistas between châteaux. Click here to see two suggested trips via train to explore the châteaux

Don’t forget to click on the ‘Categories’ link at the right to see all the châteaux we have explored.