Chateaux Of The Loire

Chateau d'Usse

Le Lude
The Chateau de Lude is a renaissance masterpiece that has been carefully added to over the centuries. Exceptional pieces of furniture decorate its spectacular rooms. The Chateau holds regular gourmet and musical days, which evoke a bygone era, while gardening weekends offer enchanting displays of colour and fragrance in its magical grounds.

Amboise
The Chateau Royal of Amboise was home to every King and Queen of France for 160 years until the end of the 16th Century. When visiting this beautiful Chateau it is easy to imagine the sumptuous court feasts that King Francois I held there. Perched on the ramparts is the gothic chapel believed to be the burial place of Leonardo de Vinci, who spent the last four years of his life in the nearby house of Clos-Luce. During the summer Amboise is lively at night due to the popularity of the chateau's son et lumiere.

Villandry
Was the last great renaissance Chateau built in the Loire Valley. Its spectacular gardens were restored to their former glory in 1906. There are three large terraces to walk around and a maze, all of which are best viewed from the top of the Chateau's keep. The gardens are a floral expression of love and music, combining exquisite floral, water and vegetable gardening.

Langeais
Is a distinctly un touristy town, which has a welcoming fell. Its Chateau, built in the 1460's, looks extremely foreboding with high, sturdy walls, three round towers and a drawbridge and portcullis. The ruins of the oldest existing French keep stand in the terraced gardens. There are lavishly costumed figures in the room where Anne of Brittany and Charles VIII of France were married.

Azay-le-Rideau
Once called a ‘A multi faceted diamond’ Azay-leRideau is one of the prettiest Chateau in the Loire Valley. It was a pleasure palace, lived in during fine weather and deserted in the winter. The interior is as charming as the exterior and is full of period furniture and beautiful tapestries. Wine tasting in the village is a reminder that vineyards are all around. The town is lively at night due to the popularity of the chateau's son et lumiere.

Chateau d'Usse
Set against a wooded hillside, this beautiful Chateau resembles the perfect fairytale castle. Its romantic, pointed turrets and mysterious windows were the inspiration for the famous fairy story sleeping Beauty, which is depicted in life size tableaux in one of the chateau's towers.
The original building dates from 1642 but has been extended to create an elegant family home, which is still privately owned.