Château de Chambord ( 9 mi. away )

One of the most internationally renowned and most fascinating castles of the Renaissance, and the largest of the Loire Valley castles, this extravagant hunting meet was built by Francis 1st.

Its measurements: 156 meters (512 ft) of façade, 56 meters (184 ft) high, 440 rooms and 365 fireplaces. Surrounded by an uninterrupted wall, 31 km (20 miles) long, the domain is the largest enclosed forest in Europe where vast wildlife roams freely.

Visits and guided tours year round, except January 1, May 1 and December 25. Illumination of the Château daily, free of charge. Entrance to the forest, the national wildlife reservation and observation points open daily and free of charge. . Tel 02 54 50 40 28    fax 02 54 50 40 00.


Château de Cheverny ( 3 miles away )

“Unity of style” best describes this château, which was built by the Count of Cheverny from 1604 to 1634. Hergé used it as a model for his Moulinsart in the “Tintin” comic book. It is exquisitely decorated, and its rich furnishings include paintings by masters, tapestries from the Ateliers de Paris, 17th century Flemish tapestries, a Louis XV grandfather clock, and a lying-in-state bed in the King’s bedroom. On the immense grounds, the Trophy room sports 2000 deer antlers, and one of the world’s largest captive balloons offers an opportunity to admire the surroundings at an altitude of 150 meters (492 ft).

Open year round. Entrance free of charge for children under 7 and for handicapped persons. Captive ballon rides and visits of the canal and the grounds.
Tel  02 54 79 96 29     Fax  02 54 79 25 38.


Château de Chenonceau (18 miles away)

This marvelous castle was built from 1513 to 1521 by Thomas Bohier, and sits astride the Cher river in a natural setting. .

For 400 years, queens, mistresses and wives lived as happy or unhappy heroines here. The formal gardens were conceived and laid out under Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis, and offer a picturesque view of the castle. In the wax museum, 15 scenes present life at the château and feature the famous people who lived there.

Amboise et le Clos Lucé ( 18 miles away )

Built on a cliff overlooking the Loire river, the royal castle replaced numerous former fortifications that had been erected since the Gallo-Roman period. Many important historical figures lived in this magnificent Renaissance castle. The circular Minim tower permitted horse riders and carriages to reach the reception room, 40 meters (131 ft) above the river. An underground tunnel lead to Clos-Lucé, which was once the home of Leonardo da Vinci and now houses a museum dedicated to his fabulous inventions.


Château du Moulin (15 miles away)

Built from 1480 to 1506, this castle's façade is made of diamond-shaped bricks. It was surrounded by high walls and reinforced with round towers. The access to the castle is by drawbridge. Open from Mrach 1 to November 15. Tel 02 54 83 83 51.


Château de Blois (6 miles away )

The royal castle is a perfect example of Renaissance art in France, and illustrates the evolution of French architecture from the Middle Ages to the 18th century.
Visits of the castle year round, except for January 1 and December 25. Sound and light show: tel 02 54 74 16 06, fax 02 54 74 04 72.
Visits of the old town, “Historical Blois”, from July 1 to August 31 tel: 02 54 90 41 41,  fax 02 54 90 41 98.


Château de Chaumont (9 miles)

The castle overhangs the Loire river, and was built in the late 15th century. An international garden festival is held every summer, with the participation of about 30 artists and landscape gardeners from all over the world. Visits of the castle and stables year round except for January 1, May 1, October 31, November 1 and 11, and December 25.