Description :

The chateaux of the loire valley french chateaux de la loire are part of the architectural heritage of the historic towns of amboise angers blois chinon montsoreau nantes orleans saumur and tours along the loire river in francethey illustrate renaissance ideals of design in france the chateaux of the loire valley number over three hundred ranging from practical fortified . Hailed as the most family orientated chateau within the loire valley the chateau de villandry is world renowned for its exceptional gardens including the spectacular renaissance gardens. What is the loire valley best known for its chateaux of courset he chateau has become synonymous with the loire valley from the time it was embraced by french royalty as a safe haven away from the political back stabbing of paris and then as a rich cultural playground. In 2000 unesco added the chateaux of the loire valley to its world heritage list the area extends from sully sur loire to chalonnes along the banks of the river loire and its tributaries in the renaissance era the french kings preferred to reside in the loire region hence the hundreds of chateaux. The loire valley of france found between the towns of tours and blois offers a fascinating landscape of vineyards forests gardens and stately chateaux singular chateau chateau is a general term used for any manor house but historically chateaux were used as anything from hunting lodges to residences for important people