"Valley of Kings -- Sixteen Loire Valley Chateaus" Pays de la Loire by Beausoleil

Pays de la Loire Travel Guide: 866 reviews and 2,411 photos

Check Travelogues for sixteen different chateaus!

Chateau Chenonceau, located just outside the village of Chenonceaux, is one of the loveliest of the Loire chateaus. It was extended over the river Cher by Diane de Poitiers and when it was taken by Catherine de Medici, Catherine added a second story to the bridge gallery. There are often art exhibits in the gallery but it's hard to look at the art when you can look up and down the river out the windows.

We have exited a door at the far end of the first floor gallery for a walk in the woods and spectacular views of the chateau along the river. However, on our trip in Oct. 2006 the door was locked and any views were gotten from the entrance side of the river as in the photo here.

Azay-le-Rideau

Chateau Azay-le-Rideau

Azay is probably my favorite chateau. It is small and white and perfect. The setting in the moat that is a little lake is lovely and the surrounding gardens are perfection. Then there is the river flowing past the edge of the property and the tiny town that is so clean and friendly. It just adds up to a delightful chateau experience.

There are volunteers who gather to arrange flowers for the rooms and when they put the flowers in the beautifully furnished rooms, you have a very warm, living home rather than a tourist attraction.

Mind you, there are tourists aplenty, but despite that there is a warm welcoming feeling to Azay.

Villandry and Gardens

Chateau Villandry

Villandry is another favorite chateau. The gardens are famous and spectacular but don't miss the inside of the chateau. It is beautifully furnished, has recently had a lot of renovation and updating, has lovely floral displays from the gardens and offers stunning garden views from the windows and the tower. Yes, the climb to the top of the tower is definitely worth it.

If you can, plan to spend a day there. Arrive late in the morning and visit the chateau proper, have lunch and then spend the afternoon in the magical gardens. We've visited many times but this is the first time we walked the maze. I was convinced we'd get lost, but our daughter was with us and she just took off into the maze. What's a mother to do? . . . We followed. We made it to the viewing platform in the center and back out and had a lot of fun in the process.

Don't forget the travelogue below for 16 Loire Valley chateaus, some not so famous.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Lovely countryside; lovely chateaus; lovely churches; lovely wines
Cons:You can't possibly see most of it in a few days!
In a nutshell:A lovely relaxing place for an entire vacation, not just a day!

Last visit to Pays de la Loire: Oct 2006
Intro Updated May 31, 2011
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Reviews (6)

The Love Gardens and Chateau Villandry - Pays de la Loire

If you can only visit one chateau . . ." Things to Do (2)

Someone asked on the forum "If you could only visit one chateau, which would it be and why?" Here is my answer.... more travel advice

If you can only visit one cathedral . .... Things to Do (2)

Someone asked what cathedral we would visit if we could only visit one . . . and why. Here was my choice. If I could... more travel advice

The Loire River near Amboise - Pays de la Loire

The Loire by bicycle - great fun Transportation (1)

On a bicycle trip you can camp but you might also check the Logis de France web site. They have bicycle-friendly Logis... more travel advice

La Ridelloise Restaurant - Pays de la Loire

Charming family restaurant in... Restaurants (1)

We've eaten here several times. It's the friendliest restaurant in Azay. You feel part of the family. You will find a... more travel advice

Hotels (2)
See All Friendly, family-owned small hotel

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Comments (4)

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GentleSpirit Feb 25, 2013 at 3:05 PM

Wonderful Tips, thank you so much! This will be very valuable. I have added some to a trip planner.
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  GentleSpirit Feb 25, 2013 at 5:30 PM
  
  I'm just planning on a trip that includes some of the great cathedrals and chateaus. My plan is to see several, so now its just a matter of narrowing down some of the several options. I have a whole bunch of ideas and names, now just organising them some:)
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  Beausoleil Feb 25, 2013 at 8:19 PM
  
  Sounds like great fun. Enjoy.
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CatherineReichardt Aug 21, 2012 at 1:49 AM

Hi Sally
I like your 'if you can only visit one ...' format, which is immensely useful for the traveller with limited time at their disposal. Good idea (inspired by your example, I may well 'borrow' the concept for other destinations).
Regards
Cathy
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  Beausoleil Aug 21, 2012 at 3:21 PM
  
  Hi Cathy. Wish I could take credit for the idea, but a lady on the forum asked if we could only visit one chateau and one cathedral, what would we choose and why. It was tempting . . . and very difficult.
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Pawtuxet Sep 10, 2009 at 2:56 PM

Looks like it would be a fabulous vacation. Love the accomodations. I could probably lure my family to come along to a place like this. thanks for some great pics.
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Jeannette1 Oct 26, 2006 at 10:05 PM

I feel like re-visiting Villandry. Maybe I'll do it next year. All these castles are so interesting but I need to brush up on my French history :-)