The Royal

A flagship of architecture built from 1519 at the request of François I, a lover of the arts and hunting, the chateau de Chambord was not designed to be a permanent residence, François I spent only a few weeks there. It was an architectural work that the king liked to show to sovereigns and ambassadors as a symbol of his power inscribed in stone. The plan of the chateau and its decorations were designed around a central axis: the famous staircase with double revolutions, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, an ascending spiral which leads to the profusion of chimneys and sculpted capitals, on the terraces.

Home to the same family for over 6 centuries, Cheverny, located at the gates of the Chambord estate, is certainly one of the most richly furnished and decorated chateaux in the Loire Valley.

The precious and refined decoration will delight lovers of furniture and tapestry.

This is a chateau with many facets, a magnificent botanical park, the famous kennel occupied by the estate’s hounds, and the Tintin museum in 3D ‘Les secrets de Moulinsart’, known as Marlinspike Hall in English.

Closely linked to the great History of France, this Touraine chateau overlooks the Loire – listed as World Heritage of Humanity.

The kings Charles VIII and Francis I grew up there and they continued to make improvements and embellishments to create a royal palace. Fascinated by literature, the arts and Italy, François I invited many Italian artists to Amboise: Leonardo da Vinci then became a close friend of the court and made the choice to stay near the royal chateau in the chateau de Clou, now called Le Clos Lucé, between 1516 and 1519.

This small Italian palace, surrounded by the first gardens of the French Renaissance, has been rediscovered and opened its doors to the public after 5 years of restoration. No fewer than 5 years, 300 workers, 50 artisans and a dozen crafts from the Loire Valley were necessary to revive this marvellous site.

Château Gaillard took the name in 1500 from ‘Jardins du Roi’. Charles VIII presented his rare plants and exceptional citrus trees to visitors.

A Neapolitan genius, Dom Capello de Mercoliano, a botanical gardener monk considered to be ‘The Greatest Gardener in Europe’, accompanied Charles VIII and fulfilled his dream of an earthly paradise in the valley of Château Gaillard. A veritable experimental open-air laboratory, the ‘Jardins du Roy’ were created. Dom Pacello invented, sculpted vegetation and created an embroidery reminiscent of the 4 rivers of Paradise: water, milk, honey and wine.

The fortress of Chaumont-sur-Loire was built around the year 1000 to monitor the border between the counties of Blois and Anjou.

In 1465, Louis XI burned and razed the castle which was rebuilt a few years later.

Owned by the Amboise family for 500 years, it was Charles II of Amboise who began the transformation into a chateau in the Renaissance style.

Through the International Garden Festival, Chaumont-sur-Loire is known worldwide. A unique place full of creativity and imagination.