The chateaux of the Loire are some of the most beautiful historical monuments to be found anywhere in the world and many of our clients who have stayed in our properties in the area have enjoyed visiting them.
The thing is when you are staying in a beautiful Loire Valley villa with a pool or a private chateau you want to enjoy being there, relaxing, swimming etc. so there isn't really that much time for visiting. So to help you we have narrowed down the selection to the top five chateaux in the Loire for you to visit whilst on holiday in one of the most famous regions of France.
Top of the list is the Chateau de Chenonceau an absolutely stunning architectural masterpiece with pretty arches straddling the water. The king of the day Henry II gave the chateau to Diane of Poitiers who was his mistress. After his death his wife Queen Catherine de Medici took possession and ousted Diane, you can see why.
Next is the Chateau de Chambord which is imposing in its grandeur and is the largest of the Loire chateaux. A hunting lodge with four hundred and forty rooms is pretty extravagant and it is a fine piece 16th century architecture.
Third is the Chateau d'Azay-Le-Rideau, one of the prettiest of the regions chateaux. It dates from the reign of King Francois I and was originally intended as a fortified stronghold which is completely incongruous with it's Italianate charm.
Then we have the Chateau de Chaumont with its magnificent broad round turrets. Built during the reigns of Charles I and II it was again at the centre of struggles between Catherine de Medici and Diane de Poitiers.
Finally the Chateau d'Usse which looks out over the river Indre by the forest of Chinon is so beautiful it served as the inspiration for the author of the children's favourite romance story Sleeping Beauty.
There are over forty chateaux in all in the Loire Valley and what better way to start than visiting at least one of these beauties. We have recently taken on a lovely Loire Valley holiday rental house located near Tour, which has an indoor swimming pool and offers and ideal self catering accommodation base for visiting the area.