Val de loire

Amboise is a historical city of Indre-et-Loire department, Amboise is located in the Loire in the surroundings of Tours in the Centre region.

The second day of our tour is dedicated to the castles of Chinon and Ussé.

Route between Amboise and Ussé

• Amboise exit following signs: A85 / Bléré / Reignac / Genillé / Loches
• Take the A85 direction Tours until exit 8
• Turn right onto the D7 and follow Rigny-Ussé
• Distance: About 70 km

Castle Ussé

On the banks of the Indre and the edge of the forest of Chinon, the castle of Ussé combines Gothic and Renaissance styles. According to legend Charles Perrault would Ussé inspired to write his tale of Sleeping Beauty.

Chateau de Chinon

Only 15 km from Rigny-Ussé, go to Chinon. Chinon Castle, built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the city and control the passage of the Vienne. Royal Castle, he witnessed one of the most famous event in the history of France: The meeting between Joan of Arc and Charles VII during the Hundred Years War.

Take advantage of your presence at Chinon to visit the Fort du Coudray and the Musée Jeanne d'Arc.

For the third day of our circuit, three castles ahead. Geographically close enough (less than 10 km between them), you can choose the one that interests you most or visit them all !

Château d'Azay-le-Rideau

Located on a small island in the Indre, find a house of great elegance. As Balzac and Rodin, let yourself be seduced by its majestic staircase, rich tapestries and park.

Château de Langeais

Built on the ruins of a castle that belonged to Richard the Lion Heart, the Chateau de Langeais, built by Louis XI is an example of architecture from the late Middle Ages. His exceptional condition and works of art within its plunge visitors in the heart of the fifteenth century.

Château de Villandry

The Château de Villandry is the last great chateaux of the Loire during the Renaissance. Built by the Finance Minister of Francis I, it has beautiful gardens notte.

The fourth day of our tour we discovered two castles permttra exceptional and whose history closely linked.

Access to Chenonceau

• Take the A86 towards Lyon and exit 11
• Take the D31 towards Amboise
• Join the D916 and take the ramp right towards Chenonceaux
• Distance from Villandry: 50 km

Château de Chenonceau

The Chateau de Chenonceau is a grandiose building spanning the Cher. It will seduce you with its architecture, its history, its French gardens, the park and its collections of tapestries, furniture and works of art masters.

Access to Chaumont-sur-Loire

• Out of Chenonceau in the direction of Chisseaux
• A Chissay-en-Touraine take the D27 towards Vallières les Grandes
• Follow the direction Chaumont-sur-Loire
• Distance: 25 km

Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire

Designed for military use in the tenth century, demolished and rebuilt, the subject of the rivalry between Queen Catherine de Medici and Diane de Poitiers, the castle of Chaumont-sur-Loire has a rich history and exciting. It hosts the Festival of Gardens, which offers visitors to the gardens découvrire prototypes of tomorrow.

Only 20 km from Chaumont-sur-Loire, discover the royal city of Blois and its rich architectural heritage and preserved.

Château de Blois

Showcase of the Loire Valley, Château de Blois is composed of four wings of architectures and different times. Residence of the kings of France in September, it offers visitors more than 35,000 works.

The center

After visiting the castle, discover the old quarters of the city and its medieval streets. Take the stairs to get to scenic the magnificent St. Louis Cathedral and enjoy the view over the roofs of slate.

Château de Cheverny

Only 15 km from Blois, you can discover the castle of Cheverny. This stately property whose architecture would have inspired the design of Hergé Moulinsard Castle (The Adventures of Tintin) has a botanical garden, beautiful interiors and a kennel occupied by a pack of a hundred dogs.

The last day of this tour is dedicated to the most iconic castles of the Loire. Only 20km from Blois, discover the heart of the largest forest park in Europe's largest castle in the Loire Valley.

Access to Chambord

• Out of Blois in the Loire crossing to Saint-Gervais-la-Foret
• Turn left onto the D33 direction Chambord
• Distance: 17 km

Château de Chambord

Former hunting lodge of François I, the castle of Chambord has become after 30 years of work on the most impressive castle in the Loire Valley. Symbol of power and wealth of a king, yet he will never complete. It is now one of the most visited sites in France.