Of all the chateau in the Loire what are the 4 best to visit according to your own experiences. Thanks

David

Chambord, Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau, Usse

Chenonceau (for the idealized Loire Valley jewel box chateau), Chambord (for size), Angers (for something different from all the pleasure palaces and also for the Apocalypse Tapestry), and Villandry (for the gardens)

plus: Montresor (for personally guided tours of a small chateau in a beautiful village off the beaten path)
and
Fontevraud (not a chateau but a beautiful royal abbey with rich history)

I shouldn’t be answering this question, because I’ve never been to Europe in my life. But I have always wanted to see the castles in the Loire Valley. Here are a few tidbits that I came across about the ones I most want to visit:

Château d’Ussé –
(23 miles SW of Tours) supposedly used as a model for the original Sleeping Beauty story. This castle was never involved in warfare and even escaped the French Revolution. Many furnished rooms and a spiral staircase.

Château d’Azay-le-Rideau –
(about 8 miles north of Château d’Ussé ) Has moat like lake, pretty gardens, but castle not as impressive as Ussé.

Château de Villandry –
(about 5 miles further?) Beautiful gardens and topiary.

Château de Chenonceau –
(about 15 miles further) - Supposed to be spectacular and romantic. Castle stretches over the Cher River. Has sound and light show in the evening which explains the history of the castle. Beautifully furnished. A long line of powerful women lived in and influenced this castle.

Château de Chambord –
The largest of the ones I’ve mentioned. 440 rooms. Interesting staircase. Another light show with 50 actors in costume.

I’m sure Fodorites who’ve been there can verify, expand on, and dispute these facts (which are 5 years old).

I second PalQ

Lots of descriptions here. Valencay is one of my favorites. Lots of furnishings. An excellent audio guide.

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/guillonniere/loirevalley/

Chambord, Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry...and one that is totally liveable, Cherverny!

Chenonceau, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau, and Angers - all for reasons well-stated by others above.

All the chateaux mentioned are grand places to visit so you can't go wrong. If some of these castles, like Villandry and Amboise and Blois weren't so close together, if they were in other places in Europe they'd be major tourist meccas. Even the sleepy town of Meung-sur-Loire has one of the most delightful Loire castles i've visited.

Would you like to stay overnight in a real chateau? Check the web site of the Chateau de la Villaine, near Esvres. Not far from Chenonceau. A Dutch couple have renovated a large family estate built in 1873 on the foundations of a much older place. Room by room, they have made it a charming B&B. Their food is outstanding, rooms very comfortable, prices reasonable, and ambience warm and inviting. We stayed there last fall and would love to return. All contacts were arranged easily in advance via the internet. Beautiful English spoken, of course.

Like many other who responded before me, I recommend:Chenonceau, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau, Angers and Amboise.
We visited also Blois and enjoyed a sound and light show in the night.

Travelers who like gardens whould also consider Chaumont for its annual garden competition.

Chambord (biggest, good audio tour); Cheverny (people lived in it until recently); Chaumont (I think the setting is so beautiful); Fougeres (an older, smaller, defensive chateau, for variety)

They're all great. You can't go wrong no matter which ones you choose. But I did like Chambord, Chenonceau, Chaumont and Azay Le Rideau the most.

ttt for others to chime in as is interesting to see which Loire castles tickle the fancy of folks.

I'd agree with the blockbusters mentioned above - and really, of the top chateaux, you can't go wrong... On my first visit in high school, my favorite was Chenonceau and least fav was Chambord. I went again two years ago and found that, though I still loved Chenonceau for its picture-perfectness (is that a word? LOL), I had a much greater appreciation for Chambord. I also really liked Chaumont and Azay Le Rideau...

Do try to check out at least one sound-and-light (son et lumiere) show, especially the Blois one that valtor mentioned, or Amboise. Our French friends recommended it, and it turned out to be a fun way to see more of the local history. Plus, since they're late at night, they don't disrupt your daytime chateaux-touring schedule.

Maire, I do hope you can go some day!

When this subject comes up, almost no one mentions Valencay, probably because it is a little out of the way. See the pictures on the URL I posted above. Marvelous furnishings and period decor. Interesting comentary on the audio guide about Tallyrand and lifestyles of that era.

Last time we stopped at Montressor on the way.

Thank you, ggreen! I hope so too; just looking at my notes almost made me wish we were going to France instead of Italy.

Don't miss Chenonceau. It's out of this world. It's as if you have stepped back in time or into a fairytale.

Chambord is beautiful on the outside, but it's almost empty inside.

If you only have the chance to visit one, Chenonceau is the one you have to visit.

Maire, that's so funny - reading posts for Italy and Spain has been making me wish I were going there instead of France! Rough life, huh?? It's great that you're going to Italy - I went once ages and ages ago, but I still remember things in such detail. Mmm! Enjoy your first trip in Europe!