10 best Loire Valley castles in France you cannot miss

This Château is the zenith of the village of Chenonceaux. It was built in 1522 and is well-preserved. Château de Chenonceau was nicknamed ‘Château des Dames’ after the women of the chateau who influenced its design and destiny. The Château is built over River Cher like a bridge and is surrounded by lush gardens and pine tree forests. Its unique landscape makes it the most visited Château in France – only second to the Palace of Versailles – and the most photographed among all the Loire Valley Castles.

Sitting on the low-lying island in the middle of the Indre river is Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, one of the most opulent castles of Loire Valley. It rises straight out of the waters reflecting the Château’s façades, creating an illusion of a floating chateau. Inspirations from the Italian Renaissance style and early French Renaissance styles are prominent in the elements used for decorating the walkway, high roofs, and vertical dormer windows. The interiors follow the neo-renaissance style and are decorated with Flemish tapestries. The roof is decorated with a hand-crafted wooden frame which has recently been restored to showcase the intricate and complex techniques used in its construction.

The Château de Chaumont is a charming palace that in an instant, reminds us of Disney movie castles. It was originally built to keep watch between the regions of Blois and Anjou. Charles I d'Amboise built the newer castle on the previous ruins during the 15th century and lived here for a good 500 years. The Chateau is built on a high hill overlooking the Loire River, which makes it one of the most picturesque Loire Valley castles. The courtyards and gardens are brimming with lavender flowers almost year-round. . The center of attraction is undoubtedly the external facades that were built in Renaissance style.

Previously known as the Manoir du Cloux, Château du Clos Lucé is the grandest summer house of the French Royalty. It is also famous for being the last residence of Leonardo da Vinci. The walls of the Château are made of tuffeau stone, typical from the XVth century, with long, white French windows. The Château’s vibrant colors stand out compared to the old and grey castles around. Wander the halls where more than 40 models designed by Leonardo da Vinci are well-preserved and displayed. You can see the first few meters of the underground tunnel that connects this Château to Chateau d’Amboise.

Château d'Amboise is the Royal residence of the Amboise family. Its origin can be traced back to 987 and was extensively rebuilt in the 15th century. The Salle du Conseil room used to be one of the most sought-after ballrooms in the town, back during the 15th and 16th centuries. You can also find Leonardo Da Vinci’s tomb in the chapel of Saint-Hubert nearby and a monument of Da Vinci in the Château d'Amboise park. The view of the castle and the river beside it from the gardens is unparalleled by any other in the region.

Château de Chambord is the most recognizable and the largest of Loire Valley castles. Flaunting distinctive French architecture, it sits in the lap of the Château’s fort with corner towers. Originally built as a hunting lodge for Francis I, 28 years of construction led to this Château becoming the grandest of all castles in the Valley. Later, it became a model for castles built all over Europe including the Schwerin Castle, and Waddesdon Manor. You cannot leave Loire Valley without a glimpse of this majestic Château.

One of the most well-maintained castles of the Loire valley, Château d'Angers is a gem to visit. The first things to immediately catch your eye are the elegantly kept gardens and the corner towers. It was founded in the 9th century and expanded to its current size in the 13th century. The castle hangs over River Maine and was designed with a vast fortress, making it difficult to see the Château and the gardens within. Inside, the Château is almost fable-like with vintage grey facades towering over the garden. From the high towers, you can see the entire village of Angers and the castles surrounding it.

Château de Blois can easily pass for a classical version of the Palace of Versailles and is one of the largest Loire Valley Castles. It once controlled all economic, social, and cultural activities in the town of Blois. More than 300 rooms, each equipped with a fireplace, can be seen inside the Chateau. Its architecture is a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Classical styles. Today the Chateau doubles as a museum, showcasing more than 35,000 works and exhibits.

If you ever wondered what inspired Château de Moulinsart in the comic book the Adventures of Tintin, it was Château de Cheverny. This opulent Chateau is the most symmetrical castle in the valley and was built between 1604 and 1634. It is still managed and owned by the descendants of Hurault’s kin, the family that has historically been living and owning the Château. Along with its exquisite collection of furniture, tapestries, and paintings, the Chateau also showcases a permanent Tintin exhibition. If you are a fan of the comics, this is a no-miss, especially since the fictional halls of Moulinsart look exactly like those of the Chateau!

Château d’Ussé is the fairy tale castle that inspired the tale of Sleeping Beauty. Built in the 11th century, Château d'Ussé features a Flamboyant Gothic style with new Renaissance motifs. Charles Perrault, the author of many fairy tales we know today, was inspired by this castle to write The Sleeping Beauty. The paintings that hang on the castle walls represent the Royal French Monarchy and the activities they engaged in for leisure. Today it is one of many castles that have been classified as Monument Historique, a title given to the national heritage sites in France.