With elaborate gardens, graceful architecture and lavish interiors, these sumptuous – and sometimes formidable – castles can tap the imagination of even the most jaded traveller. It’s a relaxed pace (this is your vacation, remember?) Chaumont is known particularly for its spectacular International Garden Festival which takes place each year from April to October/November. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? "Chonenceau also has a fascinating restored medeival village right on the grounds. It’s right near the castle so ideal for sampling their specialty, palet solognot, which are light butter biscuits stuffed with grapes and soaked in rum. It is a great building, some of it allegedly designed by Leonardo da Vinci. I saved this article as soon as I read the word ‘castle’ on the title. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-8034061', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Chinon chateau is much older; much more a "castle" than a "chateau" . 2 rue Nationale, 37400 Amboise. That wasn't me - that was my dust.................. PS I too was confused about the restored village as I was at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? A pleasant enough small town with more than it's fair share of tourists. It is worth visiting, if only to see a selection of recreated bedrooms through the ages. It also has one of the best markets in the region on Wednesday and Saturday. It’s full of intrigue as well, thanks to Catherine de Medici’s study with its secret cupboards and Henry III’s apartments where Henri, Duc de Guise was murdered. I would encourage you to also make a point of visiting both , Chambord and Chonenceau as well (just for the Wow factor if nothing else). Stay in Tours to visit Chateau de Villandry. It takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, and then you could take the shuttle from the station to Chambord, which runs from April to November. I have been there several times and don't remember seeing anything like it. Have I missed something? Renting a car in Paris and driving to the Loire Valley is going to give you the most flexibility in exploring the Loire Valley. Counting Chenonceau, Cheverny and Amboise among its near neighbours, Domaine Sauvète is a great vineyard to call in on if you’re out and about visiting … A road trip, a valley, and French castles – you are giving me a serious bout of wanderlust. Take a picnic. If you're wondering how to visit the French chateaux of the Loire Valley, look no further. I was invited by Atout France and Val de Loire Tourism who arranged this fabulous Loire Valley castles itinerary for me, but all opinions and castle love is my own. Your pictures are amazing. The train takes just over an hour. 45 rue Jules Simon 3700 Tours 33 (0) 6 83 84 71 22. These chateaus look absolutely fairy tale dream-like. The Loire Valley is in the centre of France, a lush river valley of soft greens and fertile fields. Famous for Joan of Arc, the heroine who liberated the city during the Hundred Years’ War, Orleans has a picturesque Old Town, a cathedral on Place Sainte Croix with stained glass illustrating the life of Joan of Arc and romantic gardens on the southern edge of the city called Parc Floral de la Source. Loire Valley: If you want to visit some of the better known chateaus in the country where the rail lines don't go, then the Loire Valley can be a place where the hassle of driving can be worth it: gives you more flexibility, avoid driving in the bigger towns. If you are going to Chenonceaux, DON'T be tempted to buy food or drink at the kiosk by the carpark. From Blois you can take the Navette Chateaux excursion bus. Re: Loire Valley in early November - worth going? With fully furnished royal apartments and a history that goes back to Charles VIII in the 15th century, there’s plenty to see. Your post sounds like a wonderful guide. Originally built by Katherine Briçonnet, its history really began when Henri II purchased it in 1547 for his mistress, Diane de Poitiers. An interactive exhibit with scenes from the comics in a separate building is good family fun. Weather was pretty good (not too cold with a slight drizzle now and then) , no crowds , the chateau's were still open for tours and the fall colors made for terrific scenery. I visited the Loire Valley as part of a road trip, you can read about my Loire and Normandy itinerary here. If you’re eager to get on the road, move on to Chateau de Meung-sur-Loire. In a bizarre tragedy, Charles VII would then go on to hit his head on a lintel of the castle – an accident that ended his life. Just beware of castle burnout! Thanks for the tips for seeing the castles by public transport or on day trips from Paris but a 4-day road trip sounds much nicer.

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