{"id":673406,"date":"2022-10-31T13:40:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-31T10:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/?p=673406"},"modified":"2024-01-30T14:53:59","modified_gmt":"2024-01-30T12:53:59","slug":"25-most-beautiful-castles-of-the-loire-photo-description-map","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/en\/25-most-beautiful-castles-of-the-loire-photo-description-map\/","title":{"rendered":"25 most beautiful castles of the Loire – photo, description, map"},"content":{"rendered":"

The castle<\/a>s of the Loire are an integral part<\/a> of the valley, list<\/a>ed as a natural heritage by UNESCO. How did it happen that about 50 fortresses were grouped in a small area<\/a>? The answer is simple: in the 9th-12th centuries this area served as a border with the warlike Normans, so the feudal lords sought to protect their possessions by building forts. For fortresses, they chose a steep bank of the river, a rocky cliff. The river provided natural protection, and from a height the valley was far visible. The buildings were unsightly: their main purpose was the shelter of the garrison and the knight with his family. But in the 15th century, the situation changed dramatically. Italian campaigns showed the French nobles that life in a fortress can be not only safe, but also quite comfortable. The feudal lords began to rebuild their estates: palaces were erected instead of unsightly houses, and gardens and parks were planted around.<\/p>\n

Chambord<\/h2>\n

\"25<\/a><\/p>\n

Built at the whim of Francis 1. The king chose the place, in his opinion, the most suitable for living: vast forest<\/a> lands, endless fields. But the territory that attracted the monarch turned out to be swampy, so it had to be drained first. But even after the completion of the work, oak piles were used as a foundation: otherwise there would be water in the rooms. Chambord was a medieval long-term construction: it was erected for 28 years. By the way, Francis 1 did not wait for the execution of his order.<\/p>\n

Chambord belonged to the royal family: the heirs of Francis lived in it. Then for some time the building was abandoned. But then they began to provide various people who arrived in France<\/a>: Stanislav Leshchinsky, Saint-Germain, there was also a field hospital here. In the 30s of the twentieth century, it became state property, it was opened for tour<\/a>ists. Here you can watch a beautiful music and light show. And you can visit the forest as part of an excursion group in September-October<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, only a few of the 500 rooms have been reconstructed. They recreate the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. The main attraction is the staircase, made in the form of a double helix. Presumably, it was design<\/a>ed by Leonardo da Vinci. In general, there are more than 70 intricate stairs here: resea<\/a>rchers believe that this is how Francis 1 tried to avoid conflicts between the favorites, whom he received at the same time.<\/p>\n

Villandri<\/h2>\n

\"25<\/a><\/p>\n

The palace<\/a> has a difficult history<\/a>: the owners changed, the appearance of the building was transformed:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Initially, it was a well-fortified fort that could not be captured from the 13th to the 16th century. But the construction was crude, and the interiors were perfectly adapted to the needs of the garrison. It was in its inhospitable walls that the Treaty of Azay-le-Rideau was signed.<\/li>\n
  2. In the middle of the 16th century, Villandry was taken over by Breton, Secretary of State Francis 1. He supervised the construction of Chambord and Fontainebleau, and therefore wished to stop his personal reside<\/a>nce in an exquisite place. All unpresentable buildings (except for the central tower) were demolished, and a new horseshoe-shaped building was erected. And the courtyard was decorated with galleries-arches. At the request of Breton, the stone walls were replaced by a hedge, and the park began to harmoniously complement the building.<\/li>\n
  3. In the middle of the 18th century, Villandry became the property of the Marquis of Castellane. He believes that the palace needs to be radically changed. Villandry received new premises (gallery, balconies), window openings decreased. So the building lived for 2 centuries.<\/li>\n
  4. But in the twentieth century, Dr. Carvallo appealed to the public to rest<\/a>ore Villandry's historical appearance. The idea was supported: the shape of the windows was changed again, the galleries were rebuilt. But historians say that the reconstruction did not affect a significant part of the park and the southern facade.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The interiors amaze with chic and sophistication: the atmosphere of the 18th century is authentically recreated here. And some of the interior items are genuine. You can get inside with a guide<\/a>d tour<\/a>, and the tower offers an amazing view, which is included in the UNESCO Natural Heritage List<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Ambuaz<\/h2>\n

    \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

    Initially, it performed a protective function: it was an impregnable fortress towering 40 meters above the Loire. Such a fortification could withstand a long siege. In the 13th century, the fortress began to belong to the Amboise family, and later to the crown. The fortress was completely reconstructed with the coming to power of Charles 8. He loved luxury, so he decided to completely rebuild the estate. It was Charles 8 who came up with the idea to create the famous Italian gardens on the territory of the fortification.<\/p>\n

    Francis 1 spent his childhood in Amboise. Subsequently, the monarch devoted much time to the palace, and invited Leonardo da Vinci for technical solutions. Subsequently, the royal family left Amboise, the palace was abandoned. And during the French Revolution, there was a button factory here. It was during this period that Amboise almost died: a member of parliament proposed dismantling part of the fortress, selling stones to cover the costs of maintaining a bulky structure.<\/p>\n

    The interiors perfectly convey the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. Here is a collection of furniture from that period. And the rooms are named after famous women who lived in his chambers at different times. Tourists<\/a> willingly visit the exposition dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci.<\/p>\n

    Blois<\/h2>\n

    \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

    The history<\/a> of Blois begins in the 9th century. It was then that the first citadel was built on a rock above the Loire. It was absolutely not an attacking structure: on the one hand – a high cliff, on the other – a deep river. But large-scale construction began during the time of Louis d'Orleans. Subsequently, Charles of Orleans, the patron of artists and poets, who returned from English captivity, lived in Blois. The castle<\/a> was also the birthplace of the King of France, Louis XII.<\/p>\n

    Louis XII made the city<\/a> of his birth the capital and set about arranging his personal residence. At this time, there was no longer a need for well-fortified fortresses, so the monarch directed all his efforts and means to the construction of a new wing. The case, of course, was named after the creator. This building is significantly different from the rest of the buildings of Blois: luxury and sophistication reign here. By the way, having received the Archduke of Austria<\/a> in the new residence, the far-sighted Louis XII prevented a military conflict with Austria. The monarch of a neighboring power was subdued by courtesy and blinded by the wealth of Blois.<\/p>\n

    Francis I also loved the palace. He built his own wing, on the facade of which he perpetuated the motto: I encourage good, but I also hate the soul of evil. In order for the descendants to remember the lesson well, it was recorded 12 times.<\/p>\n

    Unfortunately, after Francis I left Blois, the residence was abandoned and began to deteriorate. For some time, the disgraced Gaston of Orleans lived here, who began building his own wing. The construction of the building stopped pretty soon.<\/p>\n

    Blois miraculously survived during the reign of Louis XVI: the king wished to sell the residence, and if a buyer was not found, then destroy the fortress. Fortunately, the vassals dissuaded the king from barbari<\/a>sm: the monarch ordered a garrison to be placed in Blois.<\/p>\n

    The French Revolution completed the decline of the fortress. Only in the 18th century did the first reconstruction begin, which was sharply condemned by architects for adding non-existent elements. Today, Blois has been restore<\/a>d in its original form: it is an amazing monument that combines the features of several historical eras.<\/p>\n

    Shenonso<\/h2>\n

    \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

    This castle is one of the few in France that is privately owned. But the owners willingly let tourists<\/a> inside the building and the surrounding area. Historians call Chenonceau the women's castle. And there is a logical explanation for this, famous women of different eras took an active part in the arrangement:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. The wife of the owner of the castle, Ekaterina Boye, on behalf of her husband, rebuilt the fortress, leaving only the central tower and the rising bridge<\/a>. And she also laid out a huge park around the new house.<\/li>\n
    2. After the death of the Boye couple, Francis 1, who knew a lot about beauty, takes the estate from the heirs, declaring the latter traitors. And his heir, Henry 2, gave the royal residence to his favorite, Diane de Poitiers. The lady had an exquisite taste: she took up the reorganization of the garden, planted exotic plants. Diana built a stone bridge over the river Cher.<\/li>\n
    3. Left a widow, Catherine de Medici considered it her duty to take the castle from her rival. The Queen Mother was little involved in landscape design, but purely intuitively transformed the park: an amazingly beautiful gallery appears on the bridge. In addition, Catherine breaks the second park, which should overshadow the gardens of Diane de Poitiers.<\/li>\n
    4. Subsequently, King Henry III lived in Chenonceau with his wife. Rumor called her the white queen, because the mourning robe of widows is white.<\/li>\n
    5. After the death of the white queen, Chenonceau gradually fell into decline. The sad fate was changed by the purchase of a residence for his wife by Dupin. Madame Dupin turned a dull building into a salon, which Jean Jacques Roussea<\/a>u willingly visited. It is noteworthy that Madame Dupin was merciful to the servants, therefore, during the French Revolution, Chenonceau was not plundered and destroyed. It wasn't even confiscated.<\/li>\n
    6. But the main merit in creating the look that Chenonceau has now belongs to Madame Pelouze. But this lady was the mistress for a short time: the estate was taken to the treasury for debts.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      The last owners are the Meunier family. The descendants of Meunier participated in the Resistance, partisan meetings were held in the castle. This family still owns Chenonceau.<\/p>\n

      Buteon<\/h2>\n

      \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

      The first owners, the Count du Forez, took car<\/a>e of the safety of their possessions, so they built an excellent fortification on the banks of the Loire. The building was rough, but it served its purpose perfectly. In the 14th century, the building changed owners: first it was Fay, then Shalu. In the 15th century, Duke Jean of Bourbon buys an estate to present it to his mistress. During this period, the reconstruction of Buteon begins, according to the needs of the ladies.<\/p>\n

      Duke Jean's son inherits the palace after his mother's death. He continues to equip the fortress, builds the north<\/a>ern wing. But Mathieu de Bourbon had no children<\/a>, so after his death, his cousin became the owner: Suzanne de Bourbon. In the XVIII century, the next owner of Buteon, Claude Antoine, was killed during the siege of Lyon<\/a>. The estate was fragmented: the fortress itself passed to the Baron Montaim, and the land and forest<\/a>s were sold in parts.<\/p>\n

      In the 19th century, Buteon acquires a wealthy philanthropist and gives the estate to his wife. Another reconstruction takes place: new parts are added and old parts are returned. During the Second World<\/a> War, the French who fled from the Lorraine region hid in Buteon. In 1995, the municipality bought the palace. Buteon is being reconstructed again, this time trying to restore its original appearance. Now it is a place visited by tourists. In addition, Buteon hosts themed exhibitions and musical events.<\/p>\n

      La Roche<\/h2>\n

      \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

      The first owners chose, as it see<\/a>med to them, a convenient place to control the Loire Valley. The rocky island<\/a> was impregnable from the land, the towers of La Roche provided an excellent view of the county borders. But the flip side of this location was that La Roche was constantly destroyed by large (and not so) floods. The owners spent a lot of money to put the building in order.<\/p>\n

      In the end, in the 17th century, another blow of the elements damaged the palace so much that the owners refused to restore it. For a long time, La Roche stood abandoned: little was left of the Gothic facade. Rather, it was just a forgotten unkempt estate.<\/p>\n

      At the beginning of the 20th century, a native of Rouen buys a dull building and begins to reconstruct it. But the project to create a reservoir (1930) involves the complete flooding of the medieval chateau. The public of the county intervened in the matter, the project was changed. But the threat of flooding still remained.<\/p>\n

      Today it is a picturesque place where there are many tourists from spring to late autumn. There are musical evenings, costume balls, games for children<\/a> and adults. Medieval costumes are exhibited in the halls, culinary and craft master classes are held.<\/p>\n

      Palace of the Dukes of Nevers<\/h2>\n

      \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

      The building was erected at the end of the 15th century. The customer was Count Jean de Clamensi. But already in the middle of the 16th century, the new owner (Francois I of Cleves) made changes to the original project. Then the subsequent owner (Count Gonzago) changed the appearance of the building:<\/p>\n

      But the northern part of the palace retained the original Gothic features. The most elegant room was the courtroom, which was personally designed by Cardinal Mazarin. Today, state institutions work in the palace, there is a salon and a hall where marriages are registered. In the rest of the rooms, the interiors of the Middle Ages are recreated, they can be viewed.<\/p>\n

      La Bus<\/a>si\u00e8re<\/h2>\n

      \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

      Unlike most Loire castles, La Busciennes is a private property. The Fisherman's Castle was built in the 12th century as a fortification, but later converted into a pleasant and picturesque residence. Descendants of the count family Chaseval, the family couple Cheysval, in 1962 opened the reconstructed palace for tourists.<\/p>\n

      Guests are offered:<\/p>\n

      And all this is linked to the art of fishing in fresh water. The project of the Chaiswal family is so successful that La Bussi\u00e8re was included in the list<\/a> of UNESCO sites.<\/p>\n

      Nephew<\/h2>\n

      \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

      The residence belonged to the Gien family from the time of construction until the French Revolution. The initial purpose is to protect possessions from barbarians.<\/p>\n

      The fortress has a rich history<\/a>:<\/p>\n

      After the French Revolution, Gien became a municipality. It housed the prefecture, court, prison. In the 18th century, the building acquired a new wing. During World War II, Gien was partially destroyed. In 2012, the French government allocated<\/a> funds for the reconstruction of the palace. The building has acquired its original appearance, and archaeological research has been carried out on the territory. Since 1952, the International Museum of Hunting has been located within the walls. It occupies all the premises, an extensive exposition consists of more than 15,000 items.<\/p>\n

      Sully-sur-Loire<\/h2>\n

      \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

      This fortress was built in the 12th century by the Sully family in order to control the bridge over the Loire. But in the XV century the crossing was destroyed, but the fort remained. And the owners gradually adapted it for their own living:<\/p>\n

      The impregnable Sully-sur-Loire protected those in danger<\/a>: in the 17th century, the young Sun King hid here from the Fronde, and in the 18th century, Voltaire. Sully-sur-Loire almost died several times: it burned badly at the beginning of the 20th century, and during the Second World War, its buildings were partially destroyed by German shells. The Dukes of Sully owned the fortress until 1962, then the building was acquired by the Loire department. Sully-sur-Loire has been reconstructed and turned into a tourist site.<\/p>\n

      The center<\/a> hosts the annual International Classical Music Festival. In addition, in the chambers there is an exposition dedicated to the life of the feudal lords. The architectural ensemble is also interesting<\/a>: the two complexes are located on different territories, which are surrounded by a common canal. This moat is part of a system that protects buildings from possible floods. On the territory there are gardens designed by the Duke of Bethune.<\/p>\n

      Maine-sur-Loire<\/h2>\n

      \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

      It is unusual that this fortress was built in the 12th century at the direction of the Bishop of Orleans. And the goa<\/a>l was the same: to protect the land holdings of the Church of St. Lifar and the adjacent monastery from enemies. Initially, the fortress had 2 observation towers with loopholes, crowning an unpresentable square structure. But subsequent bishops paid due attention to the building: it expanded, towers, a guardhouse, cellars and a drawbridge were added. True, after some time, instead of a bridge, an entrance tower was built.<\/p>\n

      Maine-sur-Loire was the official residence of the Bishops of Orleans, so Francis 1, Charles VII, Louis XI were received here. The fortress was in a good place: its small garrison completely controlled the river valley. Therefore, during the Hundred Years' War, Maine-sur-Loire was captured by the British, who made the fortress completely impregnable.<\/p>\n

      After the Maiden of Orleans retakes Maine-sur-Loire from the British, a prison is equipped in the fortress. Here the prisoners awaited the trial of the bishops or the king. The most famous “guest” of the fortress was the poet and criminal Francois Villon. Before the French Revolution, the Bishops of Orleans owned Maine-sur-Loire. Then the banker bought the palace. The complex belongs to him today, but it is open to visitors. Currently under restoration, access is allowed in 30 rooms out of 131.<\/p>\n

      Cheverny<\/h2>\n

      \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

      There are many unusual moments in the history<\/a> of Cheverny:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. The fortress from the moment of construction to the present belongs to the same family of Gyuro. A period of less than a year, when the estate was owned by outsiders, can be excluded.<\/li>\n
      2. Henry II confiscated Cheverny from Guro, accusing the vassal of treason. And the fortress was presented to Diane de Poitiers. The lady was offended because she considered the unsightly structure unworthy of her person. A few months later, she sold the estate to the Guro family. Isn't it a wonderful return!<\/li>\n
      3. The French Revolution and subsequent wars did not cause significant damage to the possession. Therefore, it was possible to preserve the original interiors and furnishings of the mansion.<\/li>\n
      4. Cheverny opened its doors to guests in 1922. Despite private ownership, it became the first tourist attraction among the Loire castles.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        The first owner of the fortification, Jacques Guro, decided to defend himself and his possessions. To do this, he built a fortress on the site where an ordinary mill stood. The mill turned into a building surrounded by walls, bristling with loopholes. For complete safety, a deep ditch was dug around and filled with water. Such a fortification made it possible to repel a sudden attack, and, if necessary, to survive a long siege. But no one began to attack Guro, and soon the descendants of the valiant knight began to rebuild the unsightly dwelling.<\/p>\n

        All the original buildings were demolished: utility rooms were erected instead of walls and towers. Local limestone was used for the central buildings. It has a peculiarity: over time it becomes lighter. Therefore, today tourists call Cheverny a dazzling palace. Despite the availability of free finances, things progressed slowly: Heinrich and Margarita Guro died of old age without waiting for the end of construction. But he designed Cheverny Bougier, who created Chambord and Blois.<\/p>\n

        Today, tourists can see the armory, dining room, trophy room, living rooms. Of particular interest is the attraction “dog soup”. There is a kennel in Cheverley, where more than 60 thoroughbred animals live. A large number of tourists flock to feed them daily.<\/p>\n

        Boregar<\/h2>\n

        \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

        The original fortification was erected in the 15th century by Count Dulce. Subsequently, the uncle of Francis I owned the fortress, but he did not make a significant contribution to the transformation of the chateau. The fortress was rebuilt by Jean de Thiers, who bought it in 1545. De Thiers built new premises, skillfully combining them with the existing ones. Unfortunately, the name of the architect who embodied the idea of \u200b\u200bde Thierry is unknown. The interiors were created by court painters and sculptors: the financier of Henry II could afford such a luxury.<\/p>\n

        On the south side, the estate was decorated with a garden where exotic plants bloomed and bore fruit. The area of \u200b\u200bthe park is 70 hectares. Today, the remains of a 15th century chapel can be seen here. The next owner of the chateau, Paul Ardier, took up the general reconstruction of the building: he added symmetrical buildings instead of the old buildings. He also founded a portrait gallery. All paintings are copies from the canvases of famous artists depicting the statesmen of France.<\/p>\n

        In 1864, Prosper M\u00e9rim\u00e9e issued a call to recognize Beauregard as a French cultural heritage site. Today, the owner of the chateau is du Pavillon. The pride of Beauregard is the red room. All details in it are made of mahogany. Tourists willingly visit the portrait gallery, which displays portraits of more than 300 kings and statesmen of France.<\/p>\n

        Chaumont-sur-Loire<\/h2>\n

        \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

        The first wooden fortress was built by the Count de Blois to protect the lands from the attacks of the aggressive neighbor Count of Anjou. Soon the Count d'Amboise buys the chateau: his family owns the estate for almost 5 centuries. Louis XI accused d'Amboise of treason, so he ordered the destruction of the family residence. But every cloud has a silver lining: the d'Amboise family rebuilds the chateau again, but already in stone. The construction began with the western wing: it is this that looks the most impregnable. The restoration of the fortress was carried out by 3 generations of d'Amboise, so the strict style acquired some elegance.<\/p>\n

        In the 16th century, Chaumont-sur-Loire again changed hands: it became the property of Catherine de Medici. The queen lived in the chateau for a long time, she invited astrologers here: an observatory was even organized for them in the tower. A collection of Catherine's tapestries has been preserved, the queen was a connoisseur and lover of them.<\/p>\n

        After the death of Henry II, Catherine de Medici decided to take revenge on Diane de Poitiers: she forced her former favorite to exchange Chenonceau for Chaumont-sur-Loire. Diana spent the remaining years before her death in the new residence. Her bedroom, which is easily recognizable by the coat of arms and monogram, has been preserved.<\/p>\n

        The situation changes when the d'Aramont family buys the residence. The Count hires the architect Morandier to restore the structure. And after 100 years, Chaumont-sur-Loire becomes a state. It is being restored again and turned into a tourist center<\/a>. Every year the International Festival of Landscape Art takes place here.<\/p>\n

        Montgeoffroy<\/h2>\n

        \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

        This chateau has completely recreated 18th century interiors. Fate was favorable to Montgeoffroy:<\/p>\n

        The chateau was built by the marshal of France, the Marquis de Contade, at the end of the 18th century. For the construction, local sandstone was used, which has an interesting property: it becomes lighter over the years. The building is made in the shape of a horseshoe, the style of construction is defined as the Renaissance.<\/p>\n

        The marshal was not constrain<\/a>ed by means: the furnishings were ordered from the best masters. But he was also merciful to the peasants. Such kindness returned a hundredfold: the commoners saved Montgeoffroy from being plundered during the revolution. It was even left in the hands of the owners.<\/p>\n

        During the Second World War, Montgeoffroy was not affected by artillery shelling or bombing. The only thing the chateau could not resist was time. When the owners decided to restore the building at the end of the 20th century, they were faced with the fact that the interiors were completely destroyed.<\/p>\n

        The situation was saved by the documentation that was kept by the previous owners perfectly: invoices were found from suppliers of fabrics and furniture. Some companies<\/a> are still active today. Restorers ordered upholstery according to surviving samples. At the same time, they were guided by the principle: furniture, curtains and walls should have the same fabric. The owners did not reschedule Montgeoffroy, so tourists can see the recreated interiors in the 18th century rooms.<\/p>\n

        Castle of the Dukes of Brittany<\/h2>\n

        \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

        This fortress was built in the 13th century by the Duke of Brittany Guy de Toiret to protect himself from the warlike Normans. At the same time, he seized part of the estate of Bishop Geoffroy. The case was considered in the royal court, while the usual red tape dragged on, Guy de Thouare dug a rectangular ditch and laid the foundation of the tower.<\/p>\n

        The first fortress consisted of a single tower surrounded by a wall. As soon as the premises were ready to move in, the Duke's family moved into a new residence. Then the descendants of Guy de Toire completed the construction of the fortress according to their own taste: towers were added, inscribed in the fortress wall, a drawbridge, a large palace was built. At the same time, not only comfort was taken into account, but also the defensive significance of the structure: the Breton duchy remained isolated.<\/p>\n

        Not only the men who owned the chateau took care of its strengthening: Anna of Brittany and her daughter Clotilde, having become queens of France, did a lot to make the family residence flourish. In the middle of the 16th century, the fortress became a royal residence for some time. This influenced the fate of the chateau during the French Revolution: the rebels offered the city<\/a> to buy the plundered palace<\/a>. But the municipality did not have such a sum, so the people turned the fortress into a prison for the nobility and royalists.<\/p>\n

        In 1800, a gunpowder warehouse exploded in the fortress: the buildings were destroyed or damaged. Restoration work was carried out, and then the city bought the residence. An exposition of arts and crafts was opened in the restored premises. World War II spared the fortress. But it was abandoned for a long time, so the buildings became dilapidated. Reconstruction began only at the end of the twentieth century. Today guests are offered permanent and thematic exhibitions. You can just walk around the territory, go around the fortress along the top of the wall.<\/p>\n

        Shatodyon<\/h2>\n

        \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

        The first tower of the fortress was built in the 12th century by Count de Blois Thibault V. The goal is usual: to protect the possessions from the attacks of the Normans. Chateaudun is the strongest fortification on the Loire River. Donjon is a residential building and at the same time a fortification. Next to it is a chapel, protected by a fortress wall.<\/p>\n

        Much has been done for the construction of Chateaudun by its most famous owner: Bastard Jean de Dunois, associate of Jeanne the Virgin. The illegitimate son of the count was brought up together with the future king of France, Charles VII. He was instructed to redeem Charles of Orleans from English captivity. For the successful completion of the assignment, Bastard received Chateaudun. By his order, the western wing was erected.<\/p>\n

        At the end of the 15th century, Francois Orleans-Longueville built the northern wing of the fortress. The building style combines the traditions<\/a> of the Renaissance and the Gothic canons. During the French Revolution, Chateaudun was plundered by the rebels, and later the fortress turned into a barracks. Since 1938 the fortress has belonged to the state. Today Chateaudun is open to tourists. Guests are invited to see the interiors of the 18th century, the exposition of ceramics, the frescoes of the chapel. The pearl of Shitoden is the collection of tapestries from the county of Alen\u00e7on.<\/p>\n

        Montuar<\/h2>\n

        \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

        Chateau de Montoire was built in the XI century by the Montoire family. The successful geopolitical position of the fortress led to the fact that there was an ongoing struggle between the Montoir and Lavardin family for the estate. In the XII-XIV centuries the fortress was rebuilt. Now the fortress belongs to the commune of Montoir-sur-le-Loire, but picturesque ruins remain from it. Chateau de Montoir is a cultural monument, tourists can see it absolutely freely.<\/p>\n

        people<\/h2>\n

        \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

        The first owners of Lud are the Dukes of Anjou. They built a fortress of wood to resist the Norman warriors. But soon the building was replaced with stone. But one day the fortress surrendered to the British. It was returned to France by Marshal Gilles de Retz, to whom the king presented Lud. True, soon the disgraced military chateau was confiscated.<\/p>\n

        At the end of the 15th century, Lud buys Jean de Dion. He was rich enough to rebuild the fortress to his liking. And more than anything in the world, Jean loved fun and entertainment. During this period, which lasted almost 100 years, the count and his descendants decorated the fort, turning it into a real palace. A garden and a park were laid out around, where outlandish flowers were fragrant and exotic plants grew.<\/p>\n

        In the 18th century, Lud began to belong to the Vieville family. The owners of the East India Company had enough funds to make the residence luxurious. A bas-relief was built on the site of the moat, and a garden was planted around the palace. During the French Revolution, the Luda garrison was unable to resist the rebels, the fortress was captured, plundered and destroyed. But in the middle of the 19th century, the chateau returned to the Vieville family. Reconstruction has been started. Now the estate receives tourists, holds festivals of landscape art.<\/p>\n

        Ange<\/h2>\n

        \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

        The first fortification was built in the 9th century on the high bank of the river Men by the Duke of Anjou Fulk 3. The purpose is standard: protection from aggressive Normans. And an impregnable fortification on this site was erected by Saint Louis IX. Walls 50m high unite 17 towers. Few dared to storm such a fort.<\/p>\n

        But behind impregnable walls hid elegant palaces where the Dukes of Anjou led a luxurious life. Knightly tournaments were regularly held here, animals were kept in the menagerie, and the territory was decorated with a park. Next to the palace, a garden was laid out where vegetables were grown for the ducal table, beds were dug up for medicinal and spicy-aromatic plants.<\/p>\n

        In the 16th century, on the orders of Henry II, they tried to destroy Angers. But it was only possible to reduce the height of all 17 towers. By the way, such a change was beneficial: after the towers were connected by a gallery with cannons, the fort became absolutely impregnable. The fortress stood on the high bank of the river Men, and on the remaining sides it was protected by an artificially dug canal, so it was impossible to get close to the walls by land. It was possible to enter or drive inside only through the drawbridge.<\/p>\n

        Today Angers is open to tourists. At the bottom of the drained moat, a reconstruction of the camp of medieval knights is arranged. You can inspect the tents, touch the weapons, climb the wall and see the outskirts of the city. The territory is well-groomed: there is a garden, an apothecary's garden, a vineyard. Expositions are located in the palace.<\/p>\n

        Ene-le-Vieux<\/h2>\n

        \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

        Aisne-le-Vieuil is a private property that has the status of a private historical monument. In addition, the surrounding park received the status of Wonderful Garden, which is assigned by the French government to the best ensembles. The fort performed important defensive functions: it blocked the way for the troops of the Dukes of Aquitaine, who held the hand of England. Aigne-le-Vieuil is built on a plain, so it had 2 lines of fortifications. At present, the outer borders have been destroyed.<\/p>\n

        During the Hundred Years War, the fortress was never taken by attack, the garrison withstood assaults and long sieges. Today, part of the premises is used for permanent residence of the owners. The rest have original interiors and are available for tourists. In the royal hall, everything remained unchanged from the moment the royal couple visited the palace. Only the monograms L and A (Louis and Anna), the emblems of the royal spouses: lilies and ermines, were added.<\/p>\n

        Valance<\/h2>\n

        \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

        The first building on the site of modern Valence appeared in the 10-11th century. It was an unprepossessing lone tower. In the 13th century, Sir Gauthier de Valen\u00e7ay built a small fortress around it. But as a dowry, Valence became owned by the Chalons-Tonners, who completed the buildings inside the fortress. At this time, the Hall of the Guards was built, connected to the fortress walls by an underground passage.<\/p>\n

        In the 15th century, the d'Etampes family rebuilds the estate: a gallery is built, work begins on the palace. The architecture shows the characteristic features of Chateau Chambord. By the early 19th century, Valen\u00e7ay was a wealthy and luxurious estate. Its last owner sold the estate to Talleyrand. The Napoleonic minister did not have enough money, so some of the amount was contributed by Bonaparte himself. It was Talleyrand who made Valen\u00e7ay the way tourists see it today.<\/p>\n

        It is noteworthy that the princes of Spain<\/a> were serving an honorable arrest in the estate. To entertain the captives, Napoleon invited Talleyrand to organize a theater. In 1810 the actors gave their first performance. For a quarter of a century, all the noble people of Europe<\/a> sought an invitation to the luxurious Valence. After the death of Talleyrand, the chateau was inherited by his distant relative, who received the title of Duke de Valance. And since 1980 the estate belongs to the state. The department monitors the state of the complex, carries out restoration work.<\/p>\n

        Champigny<\/h2>\n

        \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

        The fortress was built in the 12th century by the knight Bouquet. Subsequently, it began to belong to the Dukes of Orleans. In the 17th century, the estate was acquired by Cardinal Richelieu under an exchange agreement. The new owner began to destroy all existing buildings, leaving only the pavilion of Jupiter intact. Richelieu planned to destroy the chapel, but the Pope prevented barbarism. After 3 decades, the Duchess of Orleans won the court and received the ruined estate and monetary compensation, which she used to organize the park.<\/p>\n

        The 20th century, unfortunately, brought new disappointments: Champigny was bought by a company from Japan<\/a>. Incompetent management led to the fact that some of the architectural elements and interiors were lost. The 21st century turned out to be more successful for Champigny: it was acquired by an American family, who have already restored part of the premises and placed an exposition in the halls. Restoration work continues, but tourists are invited to view the reconstructed part of the building and the exhibition.<\/p>\n

        Montreux-Belle<\/h2>\n

        \"25<\/a><\/p>\n

        The fortress was founded by Fulk 3 of Anjou in the 11th century, and soon handed it over to his subject, du Bellay. Since then, the chateau has been named after the knight: Montreuil-Belle. The fortress had an underground passage that allowed communication with La Mothe-Bourbon. Unfortunately, the galleries are destroyed. In the 14th century, the owners turned the chateau into an impregnable citadel, and in the 15th century they rebuilt it in accordance with the traditions of the Renaissance. It was during this period that the Ch\u00e2teau Neuf (new castle) was built, the old rooms were remodeled and new premises were added.<\/p>\n

        During the religious wars, Montreuil-Belle was besieged, but repelled all attacks. Moreover, the owners of the fortress gave food to both warring parties. During the French Revolution, royalist women were kept here, and during the Second World War, a hospital was set up. Since 1979, Montreuil-Belle has been a cultural monument of France. An exposition is opened here, the pearl of which is the fresco of the Crucifixion. Its author is a student of da Vinci.<\/p>\n

        Castles of the Loire on the map<\/a><\/h2>\n