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Five Chateaux in France

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Fulfilling any childhood fantasy of being royalty might be easier than you think with a trip to a few spectacular Chateaux in France.

Chateau Chambord

Hidden in the center of a forest is the Chateau Chambord. If you close your eyes for a moment and envision what your idea might be for a house only occupied for the occasional nights stay or whose primary use would be as a hunting lodge – a castle with 440 rooms, 84 staircases, and 365 fireplaces would certainly not be what most people would have in mind. Yet, this was the structure that filled the desires of King Francois I. For a hunting lodge, it is the largest Chateau in the Loire Valley.

At its center you will find a double spiral staircase that was said to be designed by Leonardo da Vinci. It has passed through a variety of owners ending with the Count of Paris before it was eventually purchased by the French government and turned into the attraction it is for visitors today.

Chateau d’ Usse

Another notable chateau, found in the beautiful Loire Valley, has served as the inspiration for more than one princess story. This castle is literally a fairytale come to life. Its image served as inspiration and sparked an idea for the writer Charles Perrault. The basis for his story Sleeping Beauty can be linked back to the blue slate roof and gothic turrets of the Chateau d’ Usse.

It has been appropriately nicknamed the castle of dreams. It was originally intended to serve as a fortress, but for many it has become the ultimate symbol of a fairytale. Its design was even adopted by Walt Disney and can be seen replicated in his famous Cinderella Castle.

Chateau Villandry

Here it is not the beauty of the chateau’s design that draws people to what is known as one of the most visited castles in France, but the gardens surrounding it. Villandry was built in the 16th century near the Cher River. While the chateau itself is certainly impressive, its French mosaic gardens are the main draw. You can experience what is truly the finest example of formal Renaissance gardens in France. This is a place that anyone with even the slightest tinge of a green thumb could admire and appreciate.

Chateau Chaumont

Chaumont holds the title of being one of the oldest chateau’s in the Loire Valley. Built in the 10^th century, it was the one-time home to Catherine de Medici, the queen of France and wife of Henry II. Eventually she was able to switch residences with his mistress in favor of a grander style, but this castle certainly has its charm. It is now owned by the French government and serves primarily as a museum.

Its English style gardens play host to the Festival des Jardins, which lasts from June to mid-October. This unique festival allows for the true creativity of individuals to come alive as they are challenged by a unique theme each year. This past year it was “gardens of color” and previous years it has been “at play in the garden” and even “movement”. Since the gardens are constantly changing, the festival provides just another reason to return annually for a visit.

Chateau Versailles

Any list of chateaux in France would not be complete without including the palace at Versailles. I realize that most people are aware of Versailles and its beauty, but there could be no justification in creating a list without including it. It is easily one of the most widely known palaces in the world. This was a residence literally created for the Gods. Much like Chateau Chambord it began as a hunting lodge for Louis XIII.

Over the years it has been updated and expanded upon to achieve the splendor we recognize it for today. Within the palace walls you will find 700 rooms, 67 staircases, and over 2,000 windows. Visiting this national museum of history, a true testament to what architecture, wealth, and design can achieve, would be the perfect conclusion to any French Chateaux traveling experience.

Have you visted a French Chateau? Share your experiences in the comments!

Written by Molly. Photo Credits : MACSURACK / ell brown / cookipediachef / aschaf / CpaKmoi

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Alison
February 25th, 2010
I visited Chateau Chenanceau and Villandry in 2008 and they were both stunning. You can see some of my photos from Villandry here http://www.acmphotography.com/.....villandry/ I’ve been to Versailles a few times too. It’s amazing but the crowds are a bit impossible. Not an experience for the clausterphobic! I am hoping to get back to the Loire and the rest of these chateaux are definitely on my must see list!
Alison´s last blog ..Musée Magritte Museum Brussels

Lindastamps
February 25th, 2010
In 1977 I went to France with my parents (I was very young – of course haha). We visited all the chateaux you mention. What I remember is the double staircase at Chambord and the fact that Usee was inspiration for Sleeping Beauty. I also remember Versailles being huge (I think by then I’d been “castled-out”). Funny what we take away from these things as a teenager.

kathleen howard
February 25th, 2010
On a trip to the Loire Valley in 2007 we stayed in a campsite quite close to Chateau Chambord. I thought it was beautiful and the surrounding grounds were lovely too. The day we were there a fresh food market was on in the grounds also.We also visited Chateau Chenonceau which has a magnificent long driveway to it and the setting over the river Loire is fantastic, as is the interior.

Amy @ The Q Family
February 25th, 2010
I have only been to Versailles probably about 10 years ago. I would love to go back again. Thos other chateaux look gorgeous. Definitely will have to put on my list for our next visit.
Amy @ The Q Family´s last blog ..Flying With Kids – Things to Know Before You Board That Flight

Robin @ My Melange
February 25th, 2010
@Alison Thanks for sharing a link to those photos!

@Linda It is funny, I would think you would be castled out after all of those

@Kathleen Sounds lovely. That driveway sounds like great anticipation.

@Amy I hope you make it to all of them – they all seem worth a visit

Frenchholiday
February 25th, 2010
Lovely pictures and a nice article.

It’s easy to get château’d out in the Loire Valley. We have 18 châteaux within 1 hours of us here at Les Mortiers. They are just beautiful!

Gray
February 25th, 2010
Gorgeous. The fact that some of these places were used as mere “hunting lodges” cracks me up. Wow, they really had to rough it, huh?
Gray´s last blog ..Catching a Ride in San Juan

Thomas
February 25th, 2010
A great collection, and I have visited each one. But, I would definitely have château de Chenonceau in my top 5

Robin @ My Melange
February 25th, 2010
@ French Holiday – Sounds like everyone could find a favorite with 18 to choose from

@ Gray – I know. Can you imagine. I imagine hunters dressed in camo perched up in a tree- lot living in oppulance

@ Thomas – Thanks for the nice words. We had just mentioned Chenonceau in another Loire Valley post, so we wanted to highlight some others. But I hope readers will take your advice and visit that one as well. So many to visit, so little time

Fiona
February 27th, 2010
I visited Villandry many many years ago – absolutely beautiful gardens. Actually the whole Loire Valley is gorgeous. Must go back some time.

Tom Greenwood
March 2nd, 2010
We visited Chateau de Chenanceau and found it absolutely magical. Great place for a walk by the river too.
Tom Greenwood´s last blog ..Medieval Towns in France

They all look so beautiful Tom…I don’t know how I would choose. Or perhaps I wouldn’t have to – just visit them all

Jen Laceda
March 3rd, 2010
Sigh…I haven’t visited this part of France yet. It would be a nice trip for me and the family. Perhaps, so biking in the countryside…Lovely collection of chateaux.

I think that would be a great way to visit, Jen. Let me know when you are going

Jen Laceda´s last blog ..How To Eat Like A(n) _____ Locally

Rachel
March 29th, 2010
I visited a number of these chateaux years ago and now that I live in France, am hoping to get back to the Loir Valley to share them with my daughters. They are half French and I’ve wondered if they’ll experience the same awe I experienced at first seeing these castles.

I‘ll just bet they will. Every little girl likes to dream of living in a big castle!

Rachel´s last blog ..Warming butts and beds

Julia
April 4th, 2010
This is really funny you know because I live in la vallée de la Loire (I am french, in live in Tours) and through my childhood I got so (how do you say ?) “castled out” (meaning I got sick just at the idea of visiting a new castle, right ? ), I never really enjoyed this. But I guess architecture is not a thing you’re fond of when you’re a kid.

I started enjoying these castles last year, when my friends and I started making bike rides by the Loire (when I turned 18). Let me tell you the nicest one to see from the outside is le château de Chenonceau, which is à cheval (like a bridge) on each side of the river

It is quite cool to know you guys liked these pieces of culture. I have never visited le château d’Usse but it seems cool, maybe I’ll go. I agree with someone who said Versailles is just too full of people. Big crowds and long queues, arrhh. But the inside is dreamy : the furniture is still at its place, each room made me daydream about my previous princess life for a few seconds.

Beautiful pics, especially the one of the château d’Usse, you made me want to go there. (Sorry if I made mistakes I tried really hard no to ahah)

Thanks for popping by to comment. You’re lucky to live so close to these wondferul castles.