Who doesn’t love a good castle? But you can have too much of a good thing …
With more than 3.3 million visitors per year, the group of 42 chateaux that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Loire Valley is one of the most popular tourist destinations in France outside Paris itself.
While all of them are beautifully maintained and culturally significant, it’s impossible to see more than a handful without becoming castled-out pretty darn tout de suite.
But these five in particular are worth seeing for their stunning architecture and fantastic historic presentation that highlights the lives and work of their inhabitants through the centuries.
1. Château du Clos Lucé
First up, we suggest you skip the overrated Château d’Ambroise and go straight to the Château du Clos Lucé up the street. The Clos Lucé castle and its three hectare grounds were purchased by Louise de Savoie, King François I’s mother, around the turn of the 16th century. But François didn’t live there for very long and didn’t really do anything notable himself while in residence. Instead, Clos Lucé is a must-see because of a well-known house guest he had.
When François went to Italy at the height of the Italian Renaissance, he met an aging artist and inventor by the name of Leonardo da Vinci, whom he brought back to live at Clos Lucé. Da Vinci was there for only three years before he died, but he developed many of his most visionary inventions at Clos Lucé.
Why it’s a must-see
Clos Lucé houses a museum and park filled with prototypes of some of da Vinci’s most imaginative creations, including the machine gun, helicopter and paddle boat. The museum’s basement also features a display explaining on how tech giant IBM brought some of his inventions to life. Food for thought.
Château du Clos Lucé, 2 rue du Clos Lucé, 37400 Amboise. Tel: +33 (0) 2 4757 0073; www.vinci-closluce.com
Open February-June, September-October 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; July-August 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; November-January 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Adults $17.50 (€15.50), Children $12 (€11).
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2. Château de Chenonceau
The current Chenonceau castle was built during the 15th century after the original castle was destroyed during the Hundred Years’ War.
When principal architect Thomas Bohier was called off to war while the castle was being constructed, his wife, Katherine Briçonnet, took over. After the state uncovered suspicious financial dealings, Chenonceau was confiscated in 1535, and Henri II gave it to his mistress, Diane de Poitiers, much to the chagrin of his wife, Catherine de Médicis. Nevertheless, the latter reclaimed the castle upon her husband’s death and spousal justice was served.
Of note to architecture fans is that the competing styles of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis are evident throughout the castle.
Later, when the government threatened to seize the castle during the French Revolution, Louise Dupin thwarted officials by using historical documents to prove the castle was privately owned, thus saving it from destruction.
Why it’s a must-see
Château de Chenonceau, or the “Women’s Castle,” is the only castle built, decorated, inhabited and saved by women, making it a great place to understand the role of women during the Renaissance.
Château de Chenonceau, 37150 Chenonceau. Tel: +33 (0) 8 2020 9090; www.chenonceau.com
Open July-August 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; reduced hours during other months.
Admission: Adults $14 (€13), children $11 (€10); audio guide $3.80 (€3.50).
3. Château d’Ussé
Château d’Ussé is a privately owned castle that the family still occupies. While the ground floor of the building is open to the public and decorated with 16th-century wallpaper and furniture, the castle’s charm comes from its attic.
Legend has it that Charles Perrault, the author of many French fairy tales, visited Château d’Ussé and was inspired to write the story of “Sleeping Beauty.”
Why it’s a must-see
The castle’s attic has been set up with scenes of the somnolent 16th-century princess playing with her toys, watched over by the good fairies. The visit includes a tour through a mock fairytale attic, complete with cobwebs and antique toys and furniture. The grounds also house a vineyard and the castle produces its own bubbly white wine, which can be purchased after the tour.
Château d’Ussé, 37420 Rigny-Ussé. Tel: +33 (0) 2 4795 5405; www.chateaudusse.fr
Open April-September 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; October-March 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed November-February.
Admission: Adults $15 (€14), children $4 (€4).
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4. Château de Chambord
