Although many firmly associate France with its architectural wonders only by the Eiffel Tower, for many travelers (and others), France is, above all, a country of castles. Anyone who has visited the Loire Valley will tell you how striking and beautiful these graceful structures are, and will recount the unforgettable impression left by the grandeur of the valley’s castles.
The Loire Valley and its magnificent castles once served as the home of royalty, making them a true center of the country’s social and cultural life. A journey through this land full of fascinating history is best begun in the cities of Tours or Angers – there are numerous bus tours to suit every taste, but you can also rent a car (or bike) and arrange a private trip.

Tours itself is inferior to the surrounding area in terms of the number of interesting places, but there is still something to see here, for example, the city cathedral with a Gothic interior and 13th-century stained glass windows, and the museum at the Archbishop’s Palace with an excellent collection of paintings.

A few kilometers from Tours, the Château de Chenonceau spans the Cher River. It was once used as a mill. Often called a “female castle,” it was home to many courtiers and titled beauties of France, including Diane of Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. Of particular interest is the remarkable gallery, over 60 meters long, the salon of Louis XIV, and the bedroom of François I.
The city of Angers lies on the banks of the River Maine. Among the city’s attractions are the Tapestry Museum and the cathedral with its 12th-century stained-glass windows, but the Château de Angers, a medieval fortress built in the 13th century by the young Saint Louis, rightly attracts the greatest interest among tourists. The castle is surrounded by a kilometer-long wall and 17 cylindrical towers. Inside, visitors can explore the royal apartments, the interior, a windmill, a 15th-century chapel, and the “Apocalypse” tapestry, a masterpiece of medieval craftsmanship depicting the end of the world.

The Château de Blois, towering over the town of the same name, was the home of royal families for four centuries. The château’s sumptuous interior will impress even the most casual visitor, and the architecture is varied. Climbing to the attics offers stunning views of the valley.
18 km from Blois is the Château de Chambord, one of the most sumptuous châteaux in the Valley. An architectural masterpiece of the Renaissance, it boasts 450 rooms. A 32-km-long wall surrounds the château and its deer park.
Built in 1634, the Château de Cheverny is located near Blois. It was constructed of bourrée stone, which becomes whiter and harder with age. Since its construction, the château has belonged to the same family, and today its descendants occupy the third floor. The château’s interiors are considered by many to be the most luxurious and harmonious of all the châteaux in the Loire. The palace was built as a hunting ground, and hunting competitions can still be seen here.

A favorite residence of Leonardo da Vinci and Charles XIII, the beautiful city of Amboise attracts many tourists, primarily for its castle, many of whose rooms, including the royal apartments, are open to tourists.

The Château de Ussé is undoubtedly among the most elegant and beautiful châteaux in the Loire Valley. Its appearance, with its numerous turrets, inspired Snow White’s castle. Several trees, hundreds of years old, grow in the château’s garden. Of interest are not only the château’s magnificent interiors, but also the chapel built in 1528 and the numerous antiques adorning the château.
Each of the châteaux in the Loire Valley has its own unique charm, but they all share one thing: beautiful architecture and a fascinating history. It seems as if every room in these magnificent châteaux holds some secret belonging to the French kings and their courtiers.