Castles of Loire Valley
LEONARDO DA VINCI AND WINES FROM AMBOISE
Chambord
The Château is the largest in the Loire Valley, allegedly built to a design created by Leonardo da Vinci. Extravagant structure with massive tours and terraces holding 360 chimneys where the court and the women used to attend the king coming back from hunting. Of all the architectural wonders of Chambord, the most famous is the double-spiral staircase, core of the building.
Amboise
Royal castle and gardens overlooking the river and the blue-slate roofs of the town. The Saint Hubert chapel houses the tomb of Leonardo who died in Amboise. Tasting of Touraine wines, appellation Amboise or Montlouis.
Manoir de Clos Lucé
Leonardo spent the last time three years of his life at Clos Lucé (until his death in 1519). Discover the amazing collection of 40 inventions, drawn by Leonardo himself and constructed by IBM : the first automobile, the tank, the parachute, the helicopter, the swing bridge... A thrilling meeting with Leonardo the engineer, four centuries ahead of his time.
CHAMBORD, CHENONCEAU AND CHEVERNY OR CHAUMONT OR BLOIS
Chenonceau, Castle-bridge built over the river Cher, where the unique beauty of its architecture reflects in the water, nicknamed "le Château des Dames", it owes a large part of its charm to women.
Cheverny is a classical early 17th century private castle richly furnished, with a beautiful park and a hundred hound dogs in their kennels.
Blois is a magnificent royal castle in a major town and illustrates different periods in architecture : it combines a Gothic, a Renaissance and a Classical wing.
Chaumont : Former medieval fortress transformed in the Renaissance, exceptional setting for the International Festival of Parks and Gardens (from mid-June to September).
ESCAPADES AND DELIGHTS IN LE LOIRET
In the morning, visit at your own pace the private castle of la Ferté Saint Aubin, there you can walk, touch, play the piano or sit on the armchairs, feel like the lord of the house…then enjoy a cooking demonstration in the ancient style kitchens and taste little honey madeleine cakes. In the afternoon, see the little church of Germigny, rare example of Carolingian art, one of the oldest in France (9th century), then St-Benoit-sur-Loire basilica, one of the most famous Romanesque building in France and the castle of Sully-sur-Loire, imposing feudal fortress.
