Loire Valley attractions

The Château de Chambord is an imposing architectural wonder symbolic of the French Renaissance and a ruler with a serious penchant for the arts. Commissioned by King François I, with design elements attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, it is considered to be the largest and most majestic château in the Loire Valley. Visitors can explore the château and its surrounding forest and gardens during the day on a self-guided tour. It is located in Chambord, France.

The Château de Chenonceau is a gorgeous French château with an interesting history that features an almost uninterrupted succession of females at the helm. It spans the River Cher and is located not far from the small village of Chenonceaux, in the Indre-et-Loire département of the Loire Valley in France.

Château du Clos Lucé is a large castle located in the center of Amboise, in the Loire Valley, France. Built by Hugues d'Amboise in 1471, it has known several famous owners such as the French king Charles VIII and Leonardo da Vinci. It now also houses a museum dedicated to Da Vinci's life.

The Château de Villandry is one of the most-visited châteaux in France, known primarily for its beautiful and expansive gardens. Located in the middle of the picturesque village of Villandry, it's often regarded as one of the most scenic destinations in the Loire Valley.

The Château d'Amboise is an extensively restored royal residence that suffered centuries of neglect and further damage during WWII. The château offers remarkable views across the Loire Valley, and visitors can also gaze upon the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci.

Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire is located close to Blois in Chaumont-sur-Loire, Loir-et-Cher.

Royal Château de Blois is a 13th-century château in the center of Blois, France. With over 500 rooms, this grandiose former royal residence has a history of over 1,000 years and has played host to reams of high-profile French historical figures, including some of its most famous kings and queens. Now, the castle is a royal relic, open to knowledge-thirsty visitors wishing to delve into its storied past. Encyclopedic tablets are provided to give context to the monument's history and architecture, along with guided tours that are available on-site. Stick around until after dark and you'll see the tales of the château play out via a projection of light and color on its outer walls. It's not to be missed!

The Château d'Azay-le-Rideau is one of the earliest examples of Loire castles to be built in the French Renaissance style. Now open after a restoration project, the stunning interior and beautiful gardens make this one the area's most popular attractions. Plus, it's located on an island in the middle of the Indre River!

The Château d'Angers (Angers Castle) is a medieval French castle in the city of Angers, located in the Loire Valley. It's most famous for housing the Apocalypse Tapestry, which is the largest woven work of medieval times.