Transportation to Chenonceau Chateau in the Loire Region of France

Château de Chenonceau Spanning the Cher River

Driving is the best option for most visitors to Château de Chenonceau but public transportation and day-trip tours are alternatives. Getting to Château de Chenonceau on the Cher River in the Loire region of France is easiest by car but public transportation is also available with trains arriving from Tours and Bourges. Cycling is an … Read more

Transportation to Château de Chambord

Bicycles may be rented at Chateau de Chambord

Getting to Château de Chambord is easiest by car but buses and especially day-trip excursions to various chateaux in the Loire valley are also available. Château de Chambord is the largest castle in the Loire region of France. As a hunting lodge, Chambord was in a forest and as this forest mostly survived as a … Read more

Visit the Gardens of Chateau de Villandry near Tours

Formal Garden and Chateau de Villandry

The Renaissance Château de Villandry is mostly visited for its magnificent ornamental gardens – famously using vegetables for colorful formal displays. Renaissance Château de Villandry near Tours in the Loire Valley is famous for its exceptional formal gardens. The ornamental kitchen garden of Villandry, where vegetables are planted to form a magnificently colorful ornamental garden, … Read more

Visiting Chateau de Valencay in Berry, France Centre

Château de Valençay in Summer

Chateau de Valencay in Berry near the Loire was the home of Talleyrand and served as state guesthouse during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte. Chateau de Valencay is an impressive palace with marvelous formal gardens, a large nature park, a maze, animals, and play areas for children. Valencay served as state guesthouse during the times … Read more

Visiting Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley of France

View of Chateau de Chambord

Royal Chambord Castle is the largest and one of the most popular Renaissance chateaux to see on day trips in the Loire Valley in France. Originally intended as a hunting lodge for the royal court, Chateau de Chambord ballooned into the largest chateau in the Loire Valley. This Renaissance chateau is instantly recognizable by its … Read more

Brief History of Château de Chambord

Chateau de Chambord in summer

Chateau de Chambord was built by Francis I as a royal hunting lodge but became the largest Renaissance castle in the Loire Valley. The royal hunting lodge Chateau de Chambord was started in 1519 by the Valois King Francis I. It was favored by kings fond of hunting such as Henry II and Louis XIV. … Read more

Touring Chateau de Chambord’s Interior

Staircase in Chambord Castle

Chambord Castle is the largest Renaissance chateau in the Loire. Its interior is worth seeing with marvelous architecture and a few furnished rooms. Château de Chambord is the largest of the Loire castles that were the center of political power in sixteenth-century France. Visitors can see around a hundred of the 426 rooms of the … Read more

Visitors’ Information for Chateau de Chambord

Ticket office at Chambord

Chambord Castle has long opening hours and free admission for young visitors and children. Restaurants are unexcited but picnicking is allowed. Château de Chambord is open throughout the year with long opening hours. Tickets are sold at the castle itself with reservations only possible for some of the guided tours. The sheer size of the … Read more

Visiting Château de Chenonceau in France

Chateau de Chenonceau on the Cher

Château de Chenonceau is the most romantic castle and the most popular monument to see in the Loire region of France. Château de Chenonceau is the most popular and arguably the most recognizable chateau in the Loire Valley. This incredibly romantic Renaissance chateau celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2013. Château de Chenonceau is most famous … Read more

Historic Chenonceau – The Ladies’ Chateau

Storm clouds over Château de Chenonceau

Chenonceau, the Ladies’ chateau, has an interesting history as royal residence in the Loire and center of power in the 16th-century Kingdom of France. Romantic Château de Chenonceau celebrated its official 500th anniversary at the start of 2013. When construction of the present Renaissance palace started in 1513, few could have expected that in the following … Read more

Touring Château de Chenonceau on the Cher

Panorama picture of Chateau de Chenonceau

Visitors to romantic Château de Chenonceau can see the magnificent palace and gallery spanning the Cher River, formal gardens and a maze. Château de Chenonceau is the most popular castle to visit in the Loire region of France. Visitors crowd into the small but beautifully restored palace with its famous gallery spanning the River Cher … Read more

Tips on Visiting Château de Chenonceau in France

Blue Skies over Château de Chenonceau

Chenonceau’s opening hours are long but its popularity makes early morning and late afternoon the best times to see the chateau. Château de Chenonceau claims to be the most popular privately owned monument in France. It is also the second most visited chateau in France, only behind the Palace of Versailles. High visitor numbers are … Read more

Buying Tickets for Château de Chenonceau

Château de Chenonceau in France

Tickets for Chenonceau may be bought from vending machines or ticket windows at the chateau or online in advance. The prices are the same. Château de Chenonceau is the most popular chateau to visit in the Loire region and in France second only to the Palace of Versailles. This most romantic of castles is privately … Read more