Castles and monument arround
The Chateau of Villandry is the last of the great chateaux of the Loire built during the Renaissance in the Loire Valley. The sober elegance of its architecture combined with the charm of its outstanding gardens make this one of the jewels of world heritage.
Honoré de Balzac was one of the great writers of the first half of the 19th century. Throughout his life, he remained faithful to his native soil, Touraine. From 1825 to 1848, he paid regular visits to Jean Margonne, a friend of his parents, at Château de Saché. There, far removed from the bustle of Parisian life and his financial worries, the writer found the silence and austerity that enabled him to work between twelve and sixteen hours a day. Le Père Goriot, Louis Lambert, César Birotteau and Illusions Perdues were all partly written there. Saché also served as a source of inspiration for Balzac, who set his novel Le Lys dans la Vallée in the idyllic surroundings of the Indre Valley.
The Château d’Azay-le-Rideau was built on an island in the Indre River under the patronage of King Francis the First. A subtle blend of French tradition and innovative Italian decor, it is an icon of the new art of building in the Loire Valley in the 16th century. Its successive owners have helped to make it the most architecturally harmonious treasure in the Loire Valley.
In 1905, the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau came under State ownership.
In the heart of Touraine, in a beautiful setting where the delicate whiteness of the tufa limestone blends harmoniously with the constantly changing green of the Indre, L’Islette opens its doors to you.
The Renaissance Château, surrounded by two branches of the Indre, is reminiscent of its neighbour, Azay-le-Rideau. Two brothers, as they often say…
Today, it’s the home of its present owners, who are pleased to share their home, opening up the rooms which are currently in use so that you can see the layout of a 21st century chateau.
L’Islette, where Camille Claudel and Rodin were frequent guests, sheltering their tempestuous love affair, invites you to submit to the romantic charm of the Indre Valley.
When visiting a chateau, it is good to be dressed for the part ! Right away the visit becomes more exciting.
When they arrive, children aged 4 to 12 can – depending on the weather – borrow one of the many costumes available..
There are also some cloaks available for the adults …
The castle of Langeais, both a fortress and a prince residence, contains many treasures: carved furniture, rich curtains and pieces of art recall the life of the great lords. The reconstitution of the secret marriage of Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany which marks the attachment of the duchy to the crown of France and the vestiges of the oldest stone donjon located in the heart of the park bring you back to the time of the Middle Ages. Animations for young and old are offered throughout the year. New this summer: Birds of prey show.
TOURS CITY
(22 minutes by car)
The friendly people of Tours are always delighted to get the chance to share their way of life with visitors, whether at one of the innumerable markets, cafes, and shopping streets in the city centre, or on the banks of the gorgeous river Loire.
Food is high on the list of priorities for the people of Tours, which is a member of the “Cités de la Gastronomie,” network, and also belongs to the “Cities of Art and History” association, being the gateway to the châteaux of the Loire Valley. Tours has all the advantages of a growing, dynamic city, where the pleasures of the table and natural heritage are living experiences — not just words in a tourist brochure!
With no less than twenty centuries of history behind it, Tours has to be discovered close-up. You can explore on foot, by bike, bicycle taxi or Segway, as well as with the “little tourist train” and by horse-drawn carriage during holiday periods… whatever suits you best!
The Château d’Ussé is one of the most surprising in the Loire Valley.
It was originally built as a stronghold in the Middle Ages but developed over time to become a jewel of Renaissance architecture, then later became a splendid residential home in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The elegance of its architecture, its rare furnishings and the perfection of its gardens make it a showpiece of national heritage.
Chinon is one of the most picturesque towns in Touraine. An essential stop on your tourist circuit dedicated to the history of France. It mentions the names of Henry II Plantagenet, Aliénor of Aquitaine, Richard Coeur de Lion or François Rabelais, who is a child of the country.
On February 25, 1429, Jeanne d ‘Arc met for the first time Charles VII in the royal apartments of this huge fortress. A first discreet interview, in small committee. The first “official” meeting will take place in few days later.
The history of the Château de Chenonceau is defined by a an almost uninterrupted succession of women who built, embellished, protected, restored and saved it. The first château was a medieval château dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, of which only the dungeon remains: the Tour des Marques. The château in its current form was built between 1513 and 1517, by Thomas Bohier and above all his wife, Catherine Briçonnet.
The château in its current form was built between 1513 and 1517, by Thomas Bohier and above all his wife, Catherine Briçonnet.
The Cité Royale of Loches was defended to the south by a keep which was built between 1013 and 1035 by Foulques III Nerra, Count of Anjou. Today it is considered one of the best preserved from the Romanesque period.
Château du Rivau stands out among Loire Valley châteaux, being one of the few to combine rough and authentic medieval castle architecture with the refined ornamentation of a castle owned by powerful medieval lords who were close to the King of France.
Château du Rivau is based upon a square design with round towers at each angle and dry moats dug into freestone. This design, typical of 14th century medieval castle architecture , was considerably redesigned through the 15th and 16th centuries, thus adding many features of medieval castle architecture to the buildings.
A place of residence for French kings from the 15th to the 19th centuries, its destiny is inextricably linked to the history of France. Numerous literary figures and artists were invited here, like Leonardo da Vinci whose tomb is preserved at the château.
This royal château is thus the expression of French-style luxury.
From its balconies, its roofs and its terraced gardens, visitors can take in the Loire landscape and delight in what the kings enjoyed.
Fontevraud Royal Abbey, situated where the three regions of Poitou, Anjou and Touraine meet, is one of the largest surviving monastic cities from the Middle Ages. The Abbey was listed as an Historic Monument in 1840, and, as part of the Loire Valley, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. In a green valley just a few kilometres from the Loire River, near Saumur, Fontevraud is one of the unmissable stops on a visit to the Loire Valley. A stop, but also a destination … an essentially unique site!
Since its creation nearly a thousand years ago by an eccentric monk, the Abbey has always been a ‘singular foundation’. A place of social and sexual diversity! The Abbey was run by an abbess, who gave shelter to men and women in the four priories: Sainte-Marie for the ‘contemplatives’, Sainte-Marie-Madeleine for the lay sisters, Saint-Jean de l’Habit for the monks, and Saint-Lazare for nuns caring for lepers.