Châteaux of the Loire

We feel very privileged not only to own our Château but to be able to to visit so many much larger châteaux or castles as the French would say.

Altogether there are more than 300 château in the region, many built in the heyday of the French royalty and nobility, centred around the 17th-18th centuries. Some were built 'new' while others were based on converting an earlier medieval castle on the same location into a more habitable and luxurious castle.

Here is just a taster of three of our favourites:

Château de Chinon: we never stop loving climbing the old steps running from the square up to the Fortresse although nowdays it is possible to take the glass lift to the top.  Once in the fortresse, you can look down on the town of Chinon and across the valley to see Château La Perriere opposite.

Château d'Ussé: the Castle of Sleeping Beauty, also known as the castle of dreams is a magical place for children.  Because of its combination of beauty and fortress like appearance, it is believed that Perrault wrote his famous story, “Sleeping Beauty,” based on Ussé.  Looking for Sleeping Beauty in the tower is always a favourite with chidlren. The castle played another part in history when it stood as a model for the design of Disney’s famous Cinderella’s Castle in Disney World. Designers used this and other castles of the Loire Valley. Looking at a picture of the two, it is easy to see the similarities between the them.

Château de Montsoreau: a strategic military fortress during the Medieval Age, Montsoreau was built on the banks of the Loire in 1455.  Its precise location is at the confluence of the Loire and Vienne rivers with its flanks and buttresses literally rising out of the waters.  Wine lovers will appreciate free wine tasting from May until September in the cellars and there is also a show called 'Les Imaginaires de Loire' which delves into château life in the Loire.