Travel to Orleans, Tours, Blois, & Amboise, France

Renaissance chateaux are to many the best sights and main attractions of the French Loire Valley. Historic cities such as Orleans, Tours, Blois, and Amboise are worth seeing too.

photo credit: Joe Shlabotnik

The historic towns and châteaux of the Loire Valley are popular sightseeing destinations for travelers to France. The Loire Valley played host to French kings and noblemen during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries when the court stayed at various palaces along the Loire. Paris and Versailles only became the centers of political power in France from the end of the sixteenth century onwards.

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Visit Château de Chambord, Cheverny, and Chenonceau near Paris

Châteaux along the Loire are among the top sights to see in France. Chambord, Cheverny, and Chenonceau palace can be seen on a daytrip from Paris but staying in the Loire Valley is rewarding too.

photo credit: flo21

The châteaux in the Loire Valley to the southwest of Paris are amongst the most popular sights to see when visiting France. This region is famous for its wine, fine food, and numerous châteaux associated with royalty and high nobles during the Middle Ages and Renaissance period. Loire Valley chateaux often combine elements from castles, palaces, and manor homes into stately country residences. Many date at least partly from the Renaissance when development in weapons meant thick walls were no longer impregnable to cannonballs. Castles had little strategic value and many were converted into comfortable and less drafty palaces. These mansions popular with the French nobility during especially the 16th century are now amongst the most popular tourist attractions in France.

• The three best Loire Valley châteaux are arguably Chambord (the largest), Cheverny (the most elegant), and Chenonceau (the most romantic).

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