The Loire Valley châteaux Take a trip down to history

Below, some key information (history of the monument, hosting a French king, remarkable features…) to help you make your choices of self-guided or guided tours on the route of the Loire Valley’s most beautiful châteaux and gardens. Most of these buildings have been modified over time. Some have elements of both medieval and Renaissance architecture, or even come from other styles. For ease of understanding, however, we have classified them into two main categories. Only you can decide which castles are not to be missed!

Royal fortress of Chinon. Henry II Plantagenet, Jacques de Molay (last master of the Knights Templar, who was later executed in Paris), Charles VII not forgetting Joan of Arc have all passed through this superb medieval fortress on the banks of the Vienne. It comprises three castles: Fort du Coudray, Château du Milieu and Fort Saint-Georges. Between Azay-le-Rideau and Saumur, a trip to Chinon will also give you the chance to visit a winery in this appellation, whose reputation extends far beyond France’s borders.

Fortress of Montbazon. Beneath its impressive 11th-century keep, a host of events take visitors into the medieval world. The guided tour, the skits (hygiene in the Middle Ages, etc.) and the stands (the herbalist, the blacksmith, the master of arms, etc.) are particularly popular with families: on this beautiful stage of the Indre à Vélo, you can learn about history while having fun!”

Cité royale de Loches. Owned by the Conseil départemental d’Indre et Loire, the site comprises two châteaux: the keep built by the Count of Anjou Foulques Nerra, and the royal dwelling with its Renaissance architecture. The latter was visited by Agnès Sorel, Joan of Arc and Anne of Brittany. There is also a pretty medieval garden at the foot of the keep. Each year, a new exhibition is offered alongside augmented reality tours on Histopad tablets.

Château du Rivau. Its silhouette leaves no room for doubt: it comes straight from the Middle Ages. But it’s also furiously reminiscent of the castles in fairytale books! So much so, in fact, that its owner, Patricia Laigneau, has taken great pleasure in creating superb themed gardens with evocative names: “the garden of Little Thumb”, “Alice’s labyrinth” or “the garden of Princess Rapunzel”. You can also visit the stables, where Joan of Arc collected her fighting horses for the siege of Orléans. Add to that a hotel and two restaurants (including the secret garden), and this is definitely a must-see stop-off on the Richelieu-Chinon greenway!”

Château de Langeais. A fortified castle façade (drawbridge, towers, machicolations…), but on the garden side, a residence marked by the Renaissance style! In this château 200 metres from the Loire, the marriage between Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany sealed Brittany’s attachment to the kingdom of France. Richly furnished, this monument belongs to the Institut de France.

Château de Montpoupon. Where we discover castle life at the beginning of the 20th century, in the footsteps of Louise, the chambermaid. Although it is not haunted (a priori!), the scenography suggests that its former inhabitants are likely to return at any moment. A pleasant forest walk completes the visit, as does a museum devoted to venery.

Château de Gizeux. Patiently maintained and restored by the de Laffon family, Gizeux has a very pleasant visit in store for you, including its spectacular gallery of castles. There are plenty of activities on offer for families, starting with a treasure hunt.

Château de Champchevrier. Particularly well furnished, King Louis XIII nevertheless slept here on straw! This elegant château stands in the middle of a large forest, which in the 19th century was home to many wolves. That’s how its hound-hunting team came to be. During your visit, you’ll see the pack of dogs that are a cross between English Fox Hounds and French Poitevins.

Domaine de Candé. The son of a wealthy Cuban sugar cane planting family, Jacques Drake del Castillo inherited the estate. He played a key role in rebuilding the vineyards in Touraine after the phylloxera invasion and attacks of mildew. In 1930, a Franco-American businessman, Charles Bedaux, acquired the estate. He equipped the chateau with the most modern facilities of the time, which led to it being able to host the wedding of the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson. As at the fortress of Chinon, this Loire château also plunges us into the history of England!

The château de la Bourdaisière (hotel) is also part of the family of Renaissance châteaux. Its park and tomato conservatory are open to the public, as are the magnificent terraced gardens of the château de Valmer (the château was destroyed by fire in 1948).