Which Loire Valley chateaux should we visit?
Jul 17th, 1998, 12:41 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Which Loire Valley chateaux should we visit?
Our group of seven friends has finally decided that our October trip to Europe will be to France. Thanks to everybody who helped us decide! (see Southern France vs. Austria-Germany, somewhere far below) Current plans include several days in the Loire Valley (after Provence and before Paris). Since our time will necessarily be limited, which of the chateaux should we make sure we visit? I understand Chambord is magnificent, as is Chenonceau. Any advice will be appreciated! <BR> <BR>
Jul 17th, 1998, 01:34 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
We just got back from spending a day biking through part the Loire Valley. We went to Chambord and Cheverny. Chambord is a sight to see. 365 fireplaces! Huge rooms with several original pieces of furniture. Cheverny is smaller but has more antique furniture and tapestry. Their is a family still living in Cheverny. Both are worth a visit. The sheer size of these chateaux makes them memorable. <BR> <BR>I wish we had made it Chenonceau (sp?). Several friends told me this was their favortie chateaux. It was just a little too far to bike in such hot, yet beautiful weather. Have fun!
Jul 17th, 1998, 01:48 PM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
It depends on what you are expecting from a chateau. Chenanceau is very beautiful and quite historically significant if you are interested in Catherine DiMedici and her three sons who all became kings of France. Amboise is also connected with this family. There was a massacre at Amboise and bodies of Protestants were hanged from the windows. My personal favorite is Angers, but it does not have the graceful style of Chenanceau. Angers looks ancient and it is. I believe that at one time Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine lived there. I believe that most people would probably prefer Chenanceau to all of the others. The gardens are lovely and the river Cher flowing beneath the gallery makes it quite unique.. <BR>
Jul 17th, 1998, 02:13 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
In my opinion Chenonceau is the most pleasing - it has a beautiful location and is surrounded by ornate gardens and forests, but it is also has beautifully proportioned interiors. Chambord is spectacular from the outside but seemed to me to be much less attractive on the interior. Villandry is well worth seeing for the gardens. Depending on what you are looking for Loches may be of interest - it is a ruin but we found it a very rewarding visit. As you will be in the Loire have a look at the troglodyte farm at Rochemenier as well if you can <BR>Greg
Jul 17th, 1998, 03:19 PM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
First advice is that you need to go excavating way down in this site and find an earlier discussion (perhaps a month ago?) on the same topic. I'll repeat my post, which is that I have always loved Amboise - close to Tours, small, easy to see, with a jewel like chapel and beautiful setting. It was the site Francois I offered Leonardo da Vinci for his last years. <BR> Tours itself, despite the devastation of the bombing of WWII, is a place to at least pause. The river is wide there, with long walks. The central part of Tours south of the river was rebuilt in the ungracious concrete style of the 1950's, but other parts of town are ancient. In the midst of the devastation, not a block south of the river, the medieval church of St. Julien still stands - defied the bombing and the fires. <BR> Have a great trip - and be certain, absolutely certain - that you go from Tours to Paris via Chartres.
Jul 17th, 1998, 03:32 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
As you can see, there are various opinions in answer to your question. Not a problem. Get yourself a copy of the Michelin Green Guide "Chateaux of the Loire." It locates and describes dozens. I hope it is still in print; mine is ragged and dog-earred from use. Add to the above: Azay le Rideaux and Villandry.
Jul 17th, 1998, 04:58 PM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Dear Byrd: Not a bad piece of advice in the lot of those you've received so far so I'd just like to endorse one in particular: Marcia--who mentioned Amboise. It's a real jewel in my list. Aside from that I agree on Chambord, Chenonceaux, and the visits to Tours and Chartres especially. Have a wonderful visit! Joan
Jul 17th, 1998, 05:29 PM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
How in the world will we ever decide among all these wonderful options? And what a great problem to have! I will certainly try to find a copy of the Michelin "Chateaux of the Loire." I don't seem to be able to locate the earlier question about the chateaux, but during my search I found so many other interesting questions that I almost forgot what I was looking for. Thanks to everybody. Keep the good advice coming. <BR> <BR>
Jul 20th, 1998, 09:05 AM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
On a two day chateau tour we visited most of those listed earlier - Langeais, Blois, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Cheverny, Chenonceau, Chambord and the Chartres cathedral. To me everyone is a don't miss. I definately wouldn't miss the "Ch" ones. Chambord is so immense it shows the mind set of the royals. Chenonceau is the most romantic. Blois I think had the most interesting stories of treason and such, and the building is in three distinct architectural periods. Amboise is the resting place of da Vinci and has the most bloody story, mentioned above. The villian is the Duke de Guy (sp?). I believe his family was involved in the Blois treason, not a family to mess with. I recall Langeais as being the most castle like, draw brige, armour and such. <BR>My favorite is Azy-le-Rideau. I believe the owners were accountants, and questions arose as to how they could finance the chateau. The small building is reflected in the lake/pond upon which it is built, a wonderful photo op. The setting is so peaceful.
Aug 20th, 1998, 07:04 AM
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
You all seem to know so well my own country ! All those people are right in their choices. I would just add one insider's advice : the Chaumont castle, less visited than the other ones, but very interesting. Most of all, it hosts until October a very famous International Gardens' Festival with lots of creativity from landscaping artists from all over the world. Still in this gardening spirit, if like gardens "à la française", don't miss Villandry (already mentioned by someone), which the absolute must in this kind of very neat gardening.
Aug 20th, 1998, 09:15 AM
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi, My wife and I spent a week in the Loire Valley at the end of July, staying in the village of Chennonceaux. Seeing the chateau there alone gives you the wrong idea -- I know because I saw it first and got the wrong idea. It's not the biggest but it is exceptional: it's much lighter and simpler in design than any of the others that we saw. If you're short on time, I'd say go to Chennonceaux and one of any of the others. Have a good time.
Sep 4th, 1998, 12:23 PM
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Byrd-- While you're exploring Loire Valley chateaus, are you really going to get into the spirit of the thing and stay in one? www.chateaux-France.com/ lists chateaus all over France which take guests, and many guidebooks list chateau accommodations as well. We stayed in the bed and breakfast at the Chateau de Pintray in Lussault-sur-Loire. This is not one of the glamourous, medieval chateaus, although parts of it date to the 16th century. But the price was reasonable, and it was fun to end a day of chateau-touring by going back to OUR chateau. Sound like something your group might enjoy? Martha
