The castles of the Loire

The castles of the Loire: Historical and wineries make up a mosaic to taste with the eyes and palate !!

It is absolutely necessary to see this particular light playing on the Loire and its affluents. These cellars dug in white micaceous chalk, the fairyhood of the castles, the vast gardens, slopes with the miles vine stocks where still the memory of the kings, the queens and the Rabelais artists planes, Ronsard, Balzac, Léonard de Vinci… The history of the Loire and its wines merges, nobility obliges, with the French history!

World Heritage Site by Unesco, the Loire Valley, it will be understood, has two priceless: its precious historical heritage and a range of wines unique. Sixty eight appellations of the Loire successful feat to please the most demanding connoisseurs and to tempt the palate of amateurs. Between colors (white, rosé, red), materials (still, sparkling) and taste (dry, soft, medium dry, sweet, sweet, sweet), Loire wines are a variety of flavors to accompany gastronomy of today and tomorrow.

From one bank to another of the Loire, discover this beautiful region of France where vineyards and evidence of a great historical heritage make up a mosaic to taste with the eyes and palate! At the heart of the Loire Valley, Tours and its regions offer many riches. Enjoy the central location for touring Tours in Touraine of yesterday and today.

To the west of Tours, gardens of Villandry castle surround like a jewel, one of the last great chateaux built on the banks of the Loire during the Renaissance (1536). You will walk through one of the most beautiful gardens in France, on three levels!

Not far from this prestigious site is the castle of Azay le Rideau, built in the sixteenth century on an island in the Indre, in the countryside. This castle is a perfect example of the Renaissance architecture. Punctuated by towers and turrets, two right angle wings show the perfect combination of traditional elements and others influenced by Italian art. The apartments are decorated with a fine collection of Flemish and French tapestries of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries

To the east of Tours, Amboise, this is the Chateau du Clos Luce, at the invitation of Francis I, Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life, working on many projects on and off the May 2, 1519. Chamber to the rooms recently restored Renaissance, through the kitchen of his servant Mathurine, the visit to share the intimacy of the Renaissance genius. It is in the Renaissance gardens planted with roses and offering splendid views of the Royal Castle of Amboise, Leonardo worked and painted !

The mighty medieval fortress of Amboise, at the dawn of the Renaissance, giving way to a royal residence during the reigns of King Charles VIII of France and François Ist. The court, many scholars and European artists, stay there at the invitation of the sovereign, like Leonardo’s based in the castle chapel. From the castle a superb view of the Loire is offered to you!

 South of Amboise Chenonceau Castle is an exceptional site! Property of the Crown and royal residence, the Chateau de Chenonceau by its original design, the richness of its collections, its furniture and decoration, but also by his destiny, as he was loved, protected and managed by women , all unusual and that most have made history, is a must visit !

 Remember that boats and canoes await visitors at the pier of the castle (July 1 to August 31) to discover the castle of Chenonceau by the river (Cher) and pass under its majestic arches: a true romantic !