France castles

Chambord’s chateau is the most recognized and magnificent of all of the castles in France. Located in the town of Chambord in the beautiful Loire Valley, Château de Chambord is a popular tourist attraction, with crowds drawn by its stunning blend of medieval and classical Italian architecture which was characteristic of French Renaissance style.  Its …

Located in the Loire Valley region, Chateau de Chaumont is one of the largest and most popular of the many medieval castles dotted throughout the region.  The Chateau towers over the village of Chaumont-sur Loire on the banks of the Loire River and is located approximately 12 miles from the town of Blois.

Château d’Azay-le-Rideau is one of the Loire Valley’s earliest Renaissance castles, completed in 1527. The chateau is located on an island within the Indre River, surrounded by a romantic park and appears to float on water with its foundations rising up from the waterline. 

Renowned for its stunning architecture and rich history, the Château de Chenonceau is located in the Loire Valley of France near the small village of Chenonceaux. It is the most visited castle in France after Versailles. Chenonceau is a manor house, built on the banks of the River Cher on the site of an old …

The last of the large castles chateau built in the Loire Valley during the Renaissance, Château de Villandry  was completed in 1536. An ancient fortress known as Colombier formerly occupied the site, with the new chateau constructed around the original keep after the property was  acquired by King François I’s Finance Minister, Jean le Breton.  …