Chenonceaux
Said to be the most beautiful château in France and certainly the one about which the most poems are written. Catherine de Medici invited Leonardo de Vinci to live out his last days under her patronage when the French King made the château their marital home.

Amboise
Directly overlooking the Loire and the town, the château is a magnificent example of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. It houses an exceptional collection of furniture (open all year). It was at Amboise that Leonardo da Vinci lived out his last years.

Azay-le-Ferron
The château was built from the 15th to 18th century. It's beautiful architecture combines with the attractive charm of richly-furnished rooms from Louis XVI, the Empire and Romantic periods. The Park is in the English style, with yew topiary, herbaceous garden and roses.

Azay-le-Rideau
This château, built on an island in the middle of the River Indre, is one of the most beautiful Renaissance château, once described by Honoré de Balzac as a 'faceted diamond set in the Indre'. A perfect combination of traditional elements and Italicism. (open all year)

Blois
During more than four centuries, a succession of Kings and Queens of France made the château of Blois their royal residence, one of the great masterpieces of French architecture. Blois is home to the museum of magic to honour its famous son, Houdini.

Chambord
One of the most recognizable châteaux in the world because of its very distinct French Renaissance architecture, Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley; it was built to serve as a hunting lodge for François I whilst in residence at Château de Blois.

Chaumont
Catherine de Medici entertained numerous astrologers here, among them Nostradamus. The château is currently a museum and hosts a Garden Festival from April to October where contemporary designers display their work in an English-style garden.

Chauvigny
Medieval town on a hill top with five châteaux dominating the Vienne River from the same rocky cliff, a unique site in Europe. In the upper part of the town, the high ruins of the Baronial Château are the setting for The Giants of the Sky, a flying bird show.

Cheverny
Château Cheverny remains a top tourist attraction to this day, renowned for magnificent interiors and its collection of furniture, tapestries, and objets d'art. A pack of some seventy dogs are also kept on the grounds and are taken out for hunts twice weekly.

Chinon
The château stands high above the river Vienne, and accommodated King Charles VII in the 15th century. It was here that he received Joan of Arc during the Hundred Years War. The old town has several museums, including the animated museum of wine.

Loches
Medieval Loches is impressively built around an 11th century citadel situated on either side of the Indre. The town, one of the most picturesque in France, lies at the foot of the rocky outcrop on which stands the Château de Loches, the castle of the Anjou family.

Montrésor
The Château de Montrésor is a medieval castle with a Renaissance mansion built in the grounds. It is set in lovely countryside and overlooks the picturesque streets of Montrésor, often described as one of France's most beautiful villages.

Valençay
A stunning Renaissance château that took 300 years to build. The park is impressive, with deer, llamas and peacocks roaming free. Children will enjoy the seasonal entertainment, hosted by actors dressed in authentic costume of the era. (open all year).

Villandry
One of the great Renaissance châteaux, built on the banks of the Loire. Famous for the harmony of its architecture and its beautiful gardens, including a water garden, ornamental flower gardens, and vegetable gardens (open mid February – mid November).

Le Grand Pressigny
Overlooking the medieval fortified town, the château was home to Honoré III de Savoie in the early 16th century and has a prehistoric museum that houses some of the important stone and flint artefacts and fossils found in the region.

Ussé
A ‘fairytale’ castle which overlooks the River Indre and inspired Charles Perrault as the setting for his story the Sleeping Beauty. An impressive château with many white turrets, contrasting with the forest backdrop. (open Easter- mid November).