Route through the castles of the Loire by car. Tour of the castles of the Loire Valley. Cost of visiting Cheverny Castle

For lovers of traveling to the Middle Ages, there is a great idea - touring castles. Fortunately, many of these magnificent structures have survived to this day - they were built to last. And one more good news - most of them are located in Europe, including on the territory of Belarus (Mir Castle) and Ukraine (Lutsk). In Russia, only Vyborg and Schaaken (Kaliningrad region) can be called castles in the traditional sense of the word; the rest are more like fortresses, the main of which, of course, is the Moscow Kremlin.

But we will start with the castles of Germany, since this is where the most famous and beautiful ones are located. Of course, the issue of beauty and uniqueness is always controversial - it all depends on personal impressions, but, for example, Neuschwanstein Castle, according to statistics, is the most frequently photographed building in Germany. Since its opening, more than 50 million people have visited it, and this already says a lot.

You can get there from Munich by train to the station with the name Bukhloe, funny to the Russian ear. There, change to another train to the city of Fussen, then by bus or taxi. However, you can also walk - about an hour through the most beautiful places.

The name of the castle translates as “New Swan Cliff” and it is located at an altitude of 1008 meters. The castle was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria not so long ago - in the 19th century, but it looks even more ancient than other medieval buildings.

Ludwig, known for his love of Germanic mythology and identifying himself with the swan knight Lohengrin, began construction of this castle as soon as he assumed the throne. He dreamed of reviving the world of Wagner’s operas “Tristan and Isolde”, “Lohengrin”, “The Legend of Parsifal”, “Tannhäuser”, “Song of the Nibelungs” and building a castle in the most beautiful place that can be found. He certainly succeeded!

You can only get inside the castle as part of a guided tour, or you will have to be content with an external inspection. Photography is prohibited; you can only buy ready-made postcards. Particularly impressive is the marble throne room, designed as the Grail Hall from the legend about the knight Paciphal. There was supposed to be a throne of gold and ivory here, but it never appeared. However, this does not spoil the impressions - marble steps lead to an elevation under a sky-blue dome with images of Christ, Mary and John.

The castle has a dining room dedicated to the wandering singers - the Minnesingers, a royal bedchamber in paintings and ornaments from the tales of Tristan and Isolde, a large salon dedicated to the same Lohengrin, and also a mosaic floor in the lobby on the fourth floor, the creation of which took about two million stones

After visiting the castle, the bravest ones go to see the Marienbrücke Bridge (Mary's Bridge), built by order of Ludwig's mother Queen Maria, which spans the picturesque Pellat gorge above the waterfall at a height of 92 meters and trembles slightly underfoot if a large number of tourists gather on it at the same time.

From the bridge begins the Royal Path, along which Louis himself and his father Maximilian once walked. This route leads to the very top of the mountain, to an altitude of 1720 meters. And although it is fairly well-equipped, at the end of the more than two-hour climb, all travelers are faced with a difficult, unstructured section that can tickle the nerves of even the most daring, especially in winter. But the view from here is simply breathtaking.

Hohenschwangau Castle (Schwanstein). Bavaria.

This castle, Swan Cliff, is located near Neuschwanstein - New Swan Cliff. It was built by order of Maximilian II of Bavaria in the 30s of the 19th century and was used as a summer and hunting residence. From his balcony, Ludwig watched through a telescope the construction of his Neuschwanstein.

In appearance, the castle is a neo-Gothic structure - much more modest than its famous neighbor. But inside there are knights' halls, where there are also many frescoes based on German legends. There is an exclusive exhibit - a piano that Wagner himself played.

After going around the Castle, you can go to the shore of an alpine lake, and then to the village of Schwangau, where they are happy to welcome tourists who think that one day is not enough for them to explore the local beauty

P.S. Sometimes you look at the original or even a photo - it’s beautiful, harmonious, perfect, but somehow bypassed. And sometimes something strange happens, difficult to explain - an act of recognition, so to speak - as if you had already been here and returned after a long absence. You immediately begin to believe in reincarnation.

Hohenzollern Castle is located in southern Germany near the city of Stuttgart. It belonged to the Hohenzollern dynasty, which ruled Prussia and then all of Germany until the end of the First World War.

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The Loire River Valley (Val de la Loire) is one of the most blessed corners of beautiful France. It so happened historically that dense forests and the unnavigable Loire along almost its entire length made the central part of the country a true refuge from the wars that so often happened during the fall of the Roman Empire and in the Middle Ages. Even during the Hundred Years' War of the XIV-XV centuries. the fighting here was relatively weak, with the well-known exception here being the siege of Orleans, in the lifting of which Joan of Arc distinguished herself so much. Castles on the Loire were often refuges of French kings in difficult times for them.

The Royal Castle of Amboise (Chateau Royal D'Amboise) was erected on a high hill above the Loire, not far from the place where the historical meeting of the Frankish king Clovis and Alaric, the king of the Visigoths, took place at the beginning of the 6th century.

The castle is surrounded by the town of the same name, which has long been the capital of the Celtic Turonian people, who later gave the name to the province of Touraine.

A few minutes of walking along narrow streets, and suddenly the houses part and light gray walls appear ahead. Above the gate you can see the chapel of Saint-Hubert.

Amboise did not immediately become a royal castle. For a long time it belonged to the lands of the Angevin counts, then it became the private property of the Amboise-Chaumont dynasty, and in 1422 it was inherited by Louis, Viscount de Thouars. However, on charges of participating in a conspiracy against the king, the owner of the castle was convicted and deprived of his fortune.
Beginning in 1431, Amboise became part of the royal domain. King Charles VII stayed there several times. Then, ceasing to be exclusively a fortification, the castle of Amboise turned into a royal residence, in connection with this the city was granted significant privileges.

The castle is quite large; almost the entire hilltop rising above the town is surrounded by protective walls. Previously, there were probably numerous outbuildings crowded here, but later the need for them disappeared, and a park was laid out inside the walls.

View from the castle wall of the city, in the direction from which I came.

The castle began in the deep Middle Ages. However, practically nothing remains of the early Romanesque buildings. Amboise now illustrates the transition from the so-called Flamboyant Gothic of the 15th century (predominantly left wing) to the Italian Renaissance of the 16th century (right wing). In fact, the difference is not too obvious; it is most clearly manifested in the design of the dormer windows.

It is obvious that the castle was partially rebuilt several times, adapting to changing conditions: changes in war tactics, an increase in the number of the royal court, and an increase in the level of the cultural layer of the soil.

A ramp inside the tower allows riders to ascend to the upper terraces of the castle without dismounting.

Exit from the Minorite Tower to the Neapolitan Garden.

In France it is difficult to find reproductions of medieval interiors, even in museums and castles. Amboise is a rare exception here.
Like many other royal or ecclesiastical properties, as well as "noble nests", the castle was confiscated and suffered from looting during the French Revolution. A barracks was set up here and even a button factory was installed. Amboise had an even worse time during the First Empire. Then the member of parliament Roger-Ducos, who received the castle as a gift from the Senate of the city of Orleans, without having the means to maintain it, did not find a better solution to destroy most of Amboise.

Descendants owe some of the surviving interiors and largely restored chambers to one of the later owners of the castle - Louise-Marie-Adelaide de Bourbon Penthièvre - the mother of King Louis Philippe of France. It was she who, in 1815, began to recreate in parts both the castle itself and some of its interiors.

The bedroom of King Henry II (Henri II) with original furniture that stood here in the 16th century. This monarch is best known for his tragic and absurd death at a tournament from the broken spear of the captain of his own guard, which pierced the king’s helmet. This story was used by Alexandre Dumas in several novels (in particular, in “The Two Dianas”). However, there is historical evidence that Henry II was finally brought to the grave by the attempts of the brilliant, if you believe the aforementioned great French novelist, physician Amboise Pare, who was completely reckless at that time with an eye transplant. So that the monarch would not remain crooked, the surgeon tried to “replant” the eye of a certain official criminal on him instead of the one knocked out with a spear...

This is how kings looked at their subjects below. :)
By the way, few people know that it was in Amboise that the Order of St. Michael was approved by King Louis XI. This happened on August 1, 1469 in defiance of the Spanish-Burgundian Order of the Golden Fleece, hostile to France.

Here the above-mentioned design elements of the dormer windows in the form of decorative turrets - pinnacles - of the Gothic wing, named after Charles VIII, who was born and died in this castle, are very clearly visible.
To a large extent, the castle owes its splendor to this king. Literally in love with Amboise, he began the first extensive reconstruction work. To finance the project, magnificent by the standards of the 15th century, it was even necessary to increase the tax on salt. “He wants to make a city out of his castle!” – the Florentine ambassador could not resist exclaiming when he saw the drawings of the future castle in 1493. It was then that the medieval fortress gave way to a huge quadrangular monolith in the shape of a trapezoid.
However, the work was not completed due to the death of Charles VIII. Like the death of Henry II, it was also a tragic accident: on April 7, 1498, the king hit his head hard on a door frame (and doors in those years were usually made very low) and died in the evening of the same day. The official cause of death, however, is most often given as apoplexy.
On the left of the photograph you can see the balcony bars on which some of the leaders of the so-called Amboise Conspiracy were publicly hanged in 1560. The goal of this Huguenot conspiracy was to capture the young king Francis II and isolate him from the influence of the Huguenots' ardent opponent, the Duke of Guise. The conspiracy was discovered and its participants executed. Only the most famous conspirators were hanged on the castle bars; the rest were drowned in the shallow Loire.

View of the Loire from one of the towers. On the left you can see the supports of the old bridge over the river, blown up by the Germans during the Second World War.

A pile of roofs and spiers...

The above-mentioned chapel of Saint-Hubert was built at the end of the 15th century. It is here that the ashes of the great Leonardo da Vinci, who spent the last three years of his life in this corner of France, rest. He was invited to Amboise by King Francis I (Francois I). He gave Leonardo, who lived in poverty, a cozy castle at Clos-Lucé, a kilometer from his residence, and paid him a handsome monthly allowance. In addition, Francis bought from Leonardo three of his masterpieces brought from Italy, including the famous Mona Lisa.
Due to a long illness, Leonardo no longer painted in Amboise, except to add a touch or two to the already completed paintings at hand. He was much more interested in laying canals in the Loire Valley; two of his hydrographic drawings with the names of French rivers have survived to this day.

Perhaps the most romantic castle in the Loire Valley, and even in Europe, is Chenonceau (Chateau de Chenonceau). Vehicles, like almost everywhere else in France, do not reach the castle itself, stopping in a village also named Chenonceau.

The village itself, however, is unremarkable except for the abundance of tourists. By the way, standard one-day tours from Paris often include lunch here, which is reasonably (from the organizers’ point of view) included in the price of the entire trip. Even if it is not possible to exclude the price of lunch from the bill, I still advise everyone who comes here to dine on their own, and definitely not where the guides take you. Otherwise, the impression of France, this country with the richest culinary traditions, may suffer greatly.

When entering the estate, you need to cross a long alley bordered by ancient trees.

If you turn right from the alley, you can get to a farm similar to the rich farms of the 16th century.

Now, of course, it’s just a tourist attraction, where young wines are sold to naive tourists, which can be bought in Paris supermarkets two or three times cheaper. :)

Chenonceau is called le Chateau des Dames - the Ladies' Castle. He owes this name to a long series of brilliant owners.

In fact, the castle was originally conceived as the ancestral nest of the Boyer family. This family in the 16th century could not boast of a long line of noble ancestors. However, Tom Boyer, who received the title of nobility and became rich in the royal service, decided, as they would say now, on the basis of the old medieval fortress, previously owned by the impoverished Auvergne Marc family, and the mill standing next to it, to build his castle in the Renaissance style - bright and comfortable for living, and not for defense.

In those years, the main tower of the castle, the donjon, was an attribute of every ancient family.
Even then, the castles were rebuilt many times, almost completely changing their appearance, and proof of antiquity was the donjon, from which the construction of almost every citadel began in the Middle Ages. The enterprising Tom Boyer decided to turn the appropriately completed mill building into his “ancient ancestral” dungeon.

It is the mill that is the main tower of the Chenonceau castle.
On the oak door of one of the castle's chambers you can still read the carved motto of Tom Boyer: "If he grows up, I will be remembered." “He” is, of course, the castle itself. However, the seriously ill Tom Boyer was unable to complete the castle; his wife, Catherine Brisone, the first lady of Chenonceau, did it for him.

The second lady was Diane de Poitiers, the mistress of King Henry II, well known from the novels of Alexandre Dumas. As you know, Dumas the father was not only a novelist, but also a fair storyteller, who without a shadow of shame distorted history to suit the plot lines of his books. In particular, there was no particular animosity between Diane de Poitiers, the king's official mistress, and Queen Catherine de' Medici. Catherine wisely reasoned that a smart favorite, who has little interest in power and is also almost 20 years older than the king, is better than a young and greedy rival. This, of course, does not mean that Henry II did not have affairs on the side both from his wife and from the official favorite, but they did not leave any noticeable mark on history.

Diane de Poitiers began to complete the construction of Chenonceau and arrange the surrounding area to her liking. However, the castle took its final form a little later. After the death of Henry II, Diana is diplomatically expelled from the castle.
Catherine de Medici had long liked Chenonceau and, albeit relatively tactfully, “remembering” some old debts, she took the castle from Diane de Poitiers, giving her the nearby Chateau de Chaumont in return.
Already under Catherine, a gallery leading to the other side of the Cher River was completed, living rooms and halls were built above the gallery, and not far from the castle, next to the so-called Diana Park, a park was laid out, which received the name Catherine Park. So, the third lady of Chenonceau, as you might guess, was Catherine de Medici.

The fourth and last bright lady in the history of the castle was the favorite of another French king, Henry IV of Navarre (Henri IV), Gabriella d'Estrée. There is reason to believe that Gabriella could well have become the queen of France if she had not been poisoned by courtiers dissatisfied with this the choice of Henry IV. However, there is no strong evidence that the favorite was poisoned. History, as we know, is often based on indirect evidence and assumptions...
The photograph shows part of the preserved interior of the so-called bedroom of the Five Queens. This hall was named after the two daughters and three daughters-in-law of Catherine de Medici.

This gloomy room is the bedroom of Queen Louise of Lorraine. After the murder of her husband Henry III in 1589 by the monk Jacques Clément (which was done in retaliation for the royally sanctioned murder of the Duke of Guise), the widow retired to the castle of Chenonceau, where she spent the rest of her life in mourning and prayer in voluntary confinement until her death in 1601.
According to the royal etiquette of mourning, Louise of Lorraine wore only white clothes all this time, for which she was nicknamed the White Queen. According to her direct instructions, the room was decorated in a mournful and pious manner, that is, so gloomy that it is even strange how the White Queen managed to live in this room for 11 years... On the fabric wallpaper you can see a very interesting symbol - an inverted cornucopia, from whose tears flow, which signifies immeasurable sorrow.

Interior view of the gallery, built by order of Catherine de Medici on the supports of the so-called Diane de Poitiers Bridge, connecting the castle with the other bank of the river. This gallery served as a ballroom, fortunately the dimensions allowed - the length of the room reaches 60 meters and 6 meters in width.
During the German occupation of France during the Second World War, this gallery was very important, as it connected the castle, essentially standing on the northern bank of the Cher and located in the occupied zone, with the southern bank, promising refuge for those hiding from the Gestapo. By the way, at that time the castle also housed a communications point for local partisans.

Here you can clearly see that Chenonceau, like a bridge, stands on powerful stone supports over the narrow Cher River. The castle kitchen is located very interestingly - in the huge plinths of the first two pillars.

The kitchen was even equipped with its own pier, to which boats that delivered supplies to the castle approached.

Some of the recreated kitchen interiors.

View from the windows of the castle onto the garden of Diana da Poitiers.

Orange tree.

There are many swans living in the parks, including black ones.

A quick look at the aforementioned Chateau de Chaumont. His name comes from the words “Mont Chauve” (bald mountain), then it began to sound like “Mont Chaud” or “Chaud Mont” (hot mountain). The castle rises on rocky spurs in the middle of ancient forests. In the Middle Ages there was a fortress here.
This castle was acquired in 1560 after the death of Henry II by Catherine de Medici. As I already said, remaining a widow, she quickly “exchanged” Chaumont for Chenonceau with Diane de Poitiers. Since Chaumont is frankly gloomy, especially compared to the Ladies' Castle, the late king's favorite remained here only for a short time.

The road to the last castle included in the trip program passed near the ancient city of Blois. This is very uncharacteristic for France, where all major highways usually bypass any populated areas so as not to create discomfort for local residents.
This place was inhabited many thousands of years ago, back in the Neolithic era. The first settlers noticed a high rocky cliff, washed by the waters of the Loire and a small river flowing into it, providing reliable shelter and protection.
From the middle of the 10th century, Blois and its environs became the possession of powerful feudal lords - the Counts of Blois, vassals of the King of France, who were also Counts of Tours and Chartres, and then Champagne.

However, the history of Blois is associated mainly with the name of the grandson of Louis of Orleans, who in 1498 became king of France under the name Louis XII. A native of Blois, this king decided to establish his permanent residence here. Thus, this small town was essentially the capital of the kingdom during the first quarter of the 16th century.
During the times of Charles d'Orléans, Louis XII and Francis I, the city of Blois experienced a brilliant rise, but after the death of Queen Claude of France (1524) and the brutal defeat of the French in Italy at Pavia (1525), Francis I never returned to Blois, and his the successors stayed here only for a short time.
In the 17th century, there was some revival in the city thanks to the long stay in the castle (1634-1660) of Gaston d'Orléans, the younger brother of Louis XIII.
Now Blois is the administrative center of the Loir-et-Cher dept., and the city's population is about 50 thousand people.

The last castle in this album is Chambord. It was built at the very beginning of the 16th century as the hunting residence of King Francis I. And now the castle is surrounded by dense and extensive forests by modern French standards. Oh, if only they could see the Far Eastern taiga! :)
Chambord represents the embodiment of the Italian Renaissance in stone. There is a common misconception that Leonardo da Vinci also had a hand in the design of the castle. As you know, after the capture of Milan, Francis I was lucky enough to see the architectural masterpieces of Northern Italy, and then he invited the great Leonardo to France. However, although the latter actually worked on the design of the castle in 1517, it was never realized, and Chambord in its current form was rebuilt a little later.

Loire Castles is the tourist name for a group of French castles located in the Loire River valley (). Most of the castles have a distinctive architectural feature - they are built of white sandstone or brick with sandstone joints. Loire castles included in

The castles of the Loire are one of the... Some of the castles are known throughout the world, for example, or, other names are not well-known, but all of them are unusually beautiful and romantic. There is no complete list of castles included in the “Castles of the Loire” group. Most of the castles were built during the Renaissance and served as a beautiful setting for the life of the royal court. And today there is an opportunity to visit a real castle and imagine the everyday life of an aristocrat of days gone by.

Castles are roughly divided into three large categories: 11 royal castles; 21 noble castles with historical, architectural or museum value and all other castles.

How to visit the castles of the Loire on your own?

There are a huge number of castles in the Loire Valley, and having created a route for yourself, you can go there on your own - practical information on the operating hours of individual castles, ticket prices, as well as ways to get there, you will find below in this article. The cost of tickets to the castles of the Loire was verified on July 18, 2019 and is current for 2019.

If you are going to organize yourself, then the easiest way is to go to visit them from the cities of Tours or , and you can easily get there from Paris by train or bus:

• Bus tickets:

Tours of the castles of the Loire

Or you can “surrender” to the hands of professionals and, without particularly straining, go to see the beauty by bus from Paris, accompanied by a Russian-speaking guide.

10 most famous castles of the Loire

and 1 magnificent garden

Chenonceau Castle

This castle is also known as the "Castle of the Ladies" because it was built, rebuilt and landscaped by women. Built in 1513 – 1521. by order of Catherine Brisone. Then King Henry II gave it to his favorite Diana de Poitiers, who in 1556 - 1559. undertook numerous reconstructions, including the arrangement of the right bank of the Cher River, a garden bearing her name, and a bridge connecting the castle with the left bank. Finally, the final chord for the decoration of the castle was given by Catherine de Medici: a park was laid out, the Rocher fountain and galleries on the bridge were built. In addition to its elegant architecture and luxurious interior, the castle is famous for its paintings and Flemish tapestries of the 16th century. This castle is the most visited private property in France: every year about 850 thousand tourists visit the Meunier family property. The castle regularly hosts exhibitions and other cultural events.

• How to get to Chenonceau Castle

- by train from Paris from Montparnasse station to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps (Tours) station, then by train to Chenonceau (journey time 1.5 - 2 hours, tickets from 22 euros).

• Opening hours of Chenonceau Castle

January 1 – February 8: 9:30 – 16:30
February 9 – April 5: 9:00 – 17:00
April 6 – May 29: 9:00 – 18:00
May 30 – July 5: 9:00 – 19:00
July 6 – August 18: 9:00 – 19:30
August 19 – September 29: 9:00 – 19:00
September 30 – November 11: 9:00 – 18:00
November 12 – December 20: 9:30 – 16:30
December 21 – December 31: 9:30 – 17:30
The castle is open to visitors all year round.
Closing at 19:00 on the following weekends:
for Easter (April 20 - 22), May 1, May 8 (April 27 - May 12), Ascension (May 30 - June 2)

• Ticket price to Chenonceau Castle

Castle + brochure (available in Russian) + gardens + galleries

• For adults – 14.50 euros
• For children 7-18 years old – 11.50 euros
• For students (upon presentation of document) 18-27 years old – 11.50 euros
• Children under 7 years old free

Castle + audio guide (available in Russian) + gardens + galleries

• For adults – 18.50 euros
• For children 7-18 years old – 15 euros
• For students (on presentation of a document) 18-27 years old – 15 euros

Chateau Chambord

Construction of the castle began in 1519 by order of King Francis I, nicknamed the “King Architect.” The work was carried out by experienced French masons. The construction took 220 thousand tons of stone. This additional royal residence was intended to show the sovereigns and ambassadors of other countries the power of the French king. The architecture of the chateau combines traditional elements of medieval architecture and the Italian Renaissance. There is no documentary evidence, but researchers are inclined to believe that Leonardo da Vinci himself and his assistant Corton participated in the development of the castle plan. The famous staircase of the castle was also allegedly realized according to Leonardo's drawings. Chambord is the largest of the Loire castles and is located within the largest closed forest park in Europe. It is also one of the most famous castles in the world.

• How to get to Chambord Castle

— by car on the A10 highway (direction Bordeaux, then Mer or Blois), paid parking 200 m from the castle (4 euros);

(Blois) (journey time 1 hour 25 minutes, tickets from 10 euros), then by bus to the castle (May-August). ;

— the nearest airport is located in Paris.

• Opening hours of the Chateau de Chambord

• Entrance fee to Chambord Castle

• Adult – 14.50 euros (palace + gardens)
• Youth 18-25 years old - 12 euros
• Children under 18 years old accompanied by an adult – free

Amboise Castle

This castle belonged to the Amboise family for more than 4 centuries, then, in 1434, it came into royal ownership. The castle was well fortified, and therefore kings often stayed there. The medieval serf character of the chateau underwent changes during the reign of Charles VIII in 1492-1498. The ashes are kept in the chapel of the Amboise castlethe great Leonardo da Vinci.

• How to get to Amboise Castle

- by car along the A10 highway (Amboise exit), then 15 km along the D31 and then N152;

— by train from Paris from Austerlitz station to Amboise station (journey time 1 hour 40 minutes, tickets from 15 euros). .

• Operating mode of the Amboise castle

The castle is closed on January 1st and December 25th. Opening/closing times vary depending on the month. Check the lock's opening hours for a specific period can be found on the official website.

• Entrance fee to Amboise Castle

• Children under 7 years old - free
• Entrance ticket – 12.80 euros (adult), 11 euros (student), 8.80 euros (children 7-18 years old), free for children under 7 years old.

Blois Castle

The castle is located in the city center. On its facade one can trace the development of French architecture from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. and the entire history of the castle building on the Loire. The castle became a royal residence during the reign of Louis XII and remained home to seven kings and ten queens for over a century. Today it is a museum where you can see the interiors of the daily life of the French court during the Renaissance and the luxuriously furnished royal chambers. On summer evenings, the castle hosts a laser show - projections onto the building accompanied by music.

• How to get to Blois Castle

- by car on the A10 highway (170 km in the direction of Bordeaux, exit Blois) or 180 km on the RN152 highway (Paris-Orléans-Blois);

— by train from Paris from Austerlitz station to Blois station (journey time 1 hour 25 minutes, tickets from 10 euros), castle in 8-10 minutes. walk from the station. .

• Operating hours of the Château de Blois

• Entrance fee to Blois Castle

• Children under 6 years old - free
• Entrance ticket – 12 euros (adult), 9.50 euros (student), 6.50 euros (children 6-17 years old)
• Audio guide – 3 euros

Cheverny Castle

Château de Cheverny was designed by Jacques Bougy commissioned by Henry Hurot de Cheverny and his wife in 1624 - 1630. Their daughter, Elizabeth, completed the decoration of the castle. The castle has always been privately owned by the descendants of Cheverny and was opened to the public in 1922. The castle is famous for its rich interiors, tapestries and art objects.

• How to get to Cheverny Castle

— by car on the A10 highway (190 km in the direction of Bordeaux, exit Blois);

- by train from Paris from the Austerlitz train station to the station (Blois) (journey time 1 hour 25 minutes, tickets from 10 euros), from there to the castle by bus for 6 euros round trip.

• Cheverny Castle opening hours

• Cost of visiting Cheverny Castle

• Children under 7 years old – free access to the castle and park
• Castle + park – 12 euros (adult), 9 euros (children 7-14 years old, students under 25 years old)

Ussé Castle

The castle enjoys worldwide fame: it was the castle that inspired Charles Perrault to write The Sleeping Beauty. The construction of the building combines two styles. The first part was built in the 15th century, when the medieval style with Gothic elements dominated. The castle was completed in the 16th-17th centuries, when Renaissance and classicism prevailed. The castle gardens were planned by the famous Le Nôtre (the royal gardener of Louis XIV, the author of the royal gardens and parks in).

• How to get to Yuse Castle

— by car on the A10 highway, free parking near the castle;

- by train from Paris from Austerlitz or Montparnasse train station to Tours station (1-2 hour journey; tickets from 15 euros), from there to the castle by bus.

• Operation mode of Yuse Castle

• Cost of visiting Yuse Castle

• Adults (over 16 years old) – 14 euros
• Children (8-16 years old) – 4 euros
• Children under 8 years old - free
• Audio guide – 3 euros

Castle of Sully-sur-Loire

This castle was built towards the end of the 14th century. on the banks of the Loire. The building consists of a donjon by the architect Raymond du Temple, commissioned by the Tremoy family, and a “small castle” from the 15th century. From the outside, the castle looks like a real medieval fortress. Every year the castle hosts an international classical music festival. About 60 thousand tourists a year visit this chateau.

• How to get to the castle of Sully-sur-Loire

- by car on the A10 highway, exit Orléans Nord, direction Montargis, then Châteauneuf-sur-Loire;

- by train from Paris from Austerlitz station to Orléans station (1 hour journey; tickets from 10 euros), from there to the castle by bus. .

• Opening hours of the castle of Sully-sur-Loire

February-April, October-December: Sat., Sun. – 10.00 – 12.00 and 14.00 – 17.00; on Tue. - Fri: 13.30 - 17.30; Mondays and December 25th are a day off.

May, June, September: 10.00 – 18.00; Monday - closed

July-August: 10.00 – 18.00

• Cost of visiting the castle of Sully-sur-Loire

• Adults (over 18 years old) – 8 euros
• Children (6-17 years old) and students (up to 25 years old) – 5 euros
• Children under 6 years old - free
• Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children over 6 years old) – 22 euros

Chaumont Castle

The castle is located between Blois and Amboise, on a hill overlooking the Loire Valley with magnificent views. By order of the king in 1465, the former Chaumont castle was razed to the ground. Reconstructed by order of Pierre d'Amboise, then his son and grandson. The architecture mixed Gothic and Renaissance. Today the property stretches over 30 hectares and consists of a castle, stables and a park. Every year during the warm season the International Garden Festival is held here. The castle also organizes contemporary art exhibitions under the theme “Art and Nature” and photo exhibitions.

• How to get to Chaumont Castle

— by train from Paris from Austerlitz station (change in Orleans) or Montparnasse (change in Tours) to Onzain station (journey time 1 hour 40 minutes; tickets from 10 euros). .

• Chaumont Castle operating hours

The castle is closed on January 1st and December 25th. It opens to visitors at 10.00, and the closing hour depends on the time of year. Check the information at official website of Chaumont Castle.

• Entrance fee to Chaumont Castle

• Adult – 18 euros (25.04 – 03.11) / 14 euros the rest of the year
• For youth 12-18 years old - 12 euros (25.04 - 03.11) / 8 euros the rest of the year
• Children (6-11 years old) – 6 euros (25.04 – 03.11) / 4 euros the rest of the year
• Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children over 12 years old) – 36 euros / 28 euros
• Audio guide (available in Russian) – 4 euros
• Children under 6 years old free

Castle of the Dukes of Breton

The castle of the Dukes of Breton is located in the city of Nantes and consists of a 15th century fortress wall. and various buildings from the 14th to 18th centuries. Initially, the castle was the residence of the Breton dukes, then it came into the possession of the French kings. At the same time, it was a fortress, the seat of the governor of Nantes, a state prison, and a treasury. In 1915, the castle came into the possession of the city of Nantes and became a tourist attraction. In 1990 - 2007 A large-scale reconstruction of the buildings took place, now the Museum of the History of Nantes is located here.

• How to get to the Castle of the Dukes of Breton

- by car from Paris along the A11 highway;

— by train from Paris from Austerlitz or Montparnasse station to Nantes station (journey time 2-2.5 hours; tickets from 16 euros). ;

- in Nantes - by tram number 1 to the Arrêt Duchesse Anne stop; bus number 4.

• Lock operating modeDukes of Breton

• The courtyard, fortress wall and garden are open 8.30 - 19.00 daily; in July-August - until 20.00.
• Castle, museum and exhibitions: 10.00 - 18.00; Monday is a day off. In July August it is open seven days a week until 19.00.
• The castle is closed on January 1, May 1, November 1 and December 25.

• Entrance fee to the castle of the Dukes of Breton

• The courtyard, fortress wall and gardens are free to visit.
• The first Sunday of every month, except July-August, admission to the museum is free for everyone.
• Adult ticket – 8 euros
• For youth 18-25 years old - 5 euros
• Free for under 18s

http://www.chateaunantes.fr/fr

Castle of Azay-Le-Rideau

A jewel of the French Renaissance, the castle of Azay-le-Rideau was built during the reign of Francis I by order of Gilles Berthelot, mayor of Tours and treasurer of the king. The castle is located on an island, surrounded by greenery and has absorbed all the innovative ideas of Italian architecture of that time, combined with the skills of French craftsmen. This is one of the most beautiful castles of the Loire in terms of the wealth and luxury of furniture, interior decor, and collection of paintings.

• How to get to Azay-le-Rideau Castle

- by car from Tours along the D751 highway towards Chinon, exit no. 11; from Poitiers - highway N10 to Sainte Maure, then highway D760 and D57 to Azay-le-Rideau;

— by train from Paris from Austerlitz or Montparnasse station to Azay-le-Rideau station (transfer in the city of Tours) (journey time 2.5 hours, tickets from 32 euros). .

• Opening hours of the castle of Azay-le-Rideau

• Entrance fee to Azay-le-Rideau Castle

• Adult ticket – 10.50 euros
• For youth 18-25 years old - 8.50 euros
• Free for under 18s.
• Audio guide – 3 euros

http://www.azay-le-rideau.fr/

Chateau de Villandry(château de Villandry)

The castle is located 15 km from the city of Tours. Famous for its magnificent gardens, restored by Joachim Carvallo and his wife Anne Coleman. The castle was mentioned in 1189; it was here that Henry II Plantagenet, King of England, admitted his defeat to the French King Philip Augustus. In 1532, the old castle-fortress was demolished by the new owner, Jean le Breton, and a chateau was built in its place, which we see to this day. It was the last of the large castles built on the banks of the Loire during the Renaissance. The gardens of Villandry Castle are a reconstruction based on ancient texts about French regular gardens of the 14th century. The gardens are divided into four terraces: an upper terrace with a sun garden (created in 2008); then a water garden surrounded by a hedge of linden trees; terrace with an ornamental garden of pruned boxwood and yew bushes; finally, an internal terrace with a decorative vegetable garden. The ensemble also features a hedge maze; a “simple” garden - a plot with aromatic and medicinal herbs, traditional for the Middle Ages; “Forest” with flower terraces around a greenhouse and a beautiful pavilion from the 18th century.

Various events are held in the castle and gardens throughout the year. The program can be found at castle website.

You can find out more information about the castle using the official one (there are versions in English and French) - Villandry.

• How to get to Castle de Villandry

From Paris:

• by car (240 km): highway A10, exit no. 24 (Joué-lès-Tours), then A85 towards Saumur, exit no. 8 Villandry;
• by train from Montparnasse station (journey time 55 min.) to Tours or Saint-Pierre-des-Corps station, then by taxi/bus/bicycle. .

From Tours:

• Bus number 32 runs from the Fac 2 Lions stop to the Villandry Center. (check the schedule on the transport company’s website)(one way ticket costs 1.70 euros, 2 trips - 3.10 euros; can be purchased from the bus driver);

The castle is open from 9.00 (4 February – 12 November), from 9.30 (during the Christmas holidays); before

• 16.30 January 1-2;
• 17.00 February 4-29 and October 29-November 12;
• 17.30 March 1-25;
• 18.00 March 26 – June 30 and September 1 – October 28;
• 18.30 July 1 – August 31.

• Entrance fee to Castle de Villandry

Chateau and gardens:

• Adult – 11 euros
• 8-18 years old and students under 26 years old (upon presentation of student ID) – 7 euros
• Up to 8 years old - free

Gardens only:

• Adult – 7 euros
• 8-18 years old and students under 26 years old (upon presentation of student ID) – 5 euros
• During the winter period (November 14 – March 31) discounts apply.
• For free for children under 8 years old.

Audio guide(available in Russian) – 4 euros.

a selection of useful services and sites for the traveler.

Medieval castles located in the middle reaches of the valley and on tributaries of the Loire River attract many travelers year after year. Coming here means touching the historical heritage of France and seeing with your own eyes priceless architectural monuments erected during the Renaissance. Castles, palaces and fortresses are not similar to each other in architectural styles and differ in varying degrees of preservation. But there are real pearls among them.

Chambord Castle

The famous Chateau de Chambord is beautiful, and its architecture is rightfully considered a masterpiece of the Renaissance. This castle is considered the most recognizable in the Loire Valley. And the reason for this is that in his The genius Leonardo da Vinci participated in the design, who at that time was the court architect of the French king Francis I. It was he who came up with an intricate staircase formed by two spirals - a real architectural decoration of an ancient building. Thanks to this design, ascending and descending could not interfere with each other. The castle terraces offer wonderful views of the roofs and chimneys. And the ancient buildings are surrounded by an amazingly beautiful park-reserve with an area of ​​1000 hectares, which previously served as a place for royal hunting.

How to get there.

By train from the Paris Austerlitz station to the Blois stop - about 1.5 hours. Then by taxi or bus.

Chateau de Chenonceau

The castle, built in the 16th century, is located in the valley of the Cher River, 34 km from the city of Tours. This is a region famous for its wonderful wine and delicious cheese made from goat's milk. At first, the luxurious chateau was managed by Diane de Poitiers, an influential favorite of the French king Henry II. And after her - Queen Catherine de Medici. In the 18th century, the castle was bought by a well-known banker in the country, and his wife Louise Dupin became the mistress of the medieval possessions, who opened an art salon here.

Chenonceau houses a magnificent collection of Flemish tapestries. There is also an art gallery where paintings by world-class masters are collected. No less attractive is the curious wax museum, by visiting which you can plunge into the era of intrigue of the French royal court. More than 130 thousand flowers are planted in the garden surrounding the castle every year, and this is a unique sight!

How to get there.

By train from the Paris Montparnasse station to the Saint-Pierre-des-Corps station, located in the suburbs of Tours (1 hour). Then take a local train to Chenonceau (25 min).

Blois Castle

The castle, which stands in the central part of the town of Blois, is the largest in the Loire Valley. It is known as the residence of French monarchs. The main part of the castle buildings was erected in the 15th century under the Dukes of Orleans. The architecture of the castle complex intersects the traditions of late Gothic and Italian Renaissance. The emblems of almost all its owners can be seen on the facades. Porcupines were the symbol of the Dukes of Orleans, ermines were the symbol of Queen Anne of Brittany, and lilies were the emblem of the French crown. Inside, magnificently decorated furnished royal chambers have been preserved: the wing in which Francis I lived, as well as the apartments of Queen Catherine de Medici. The royal residence lost its political significance during the time when the Bourbons began to rule the state.

How to get there.

By train from Paris Gare d'Austerlitz to Blois station. The journey takes about 1.5 hours.

Cheverny Castle

The Cheverny estate, striking in its architectural symmetry, became the prototype of many medieval castles in various cartoons. It strictly adheres to the architectural canons of the Renaissance, and only small elements of the facade betray the influence of the classics. Cheverny differs from other castles in the richness of its interiors. The interior spaces - the chambers of the kings, the Armory Hall, the dining room, the lobbies and the main staircase of this castle look quite lived-in. And the wonderful carved furniture made in the era of King Louis XIII gives them a special coziness. The Trophy Hall is especially striking - a real apotheosis of several centuries of royal hunting. Over 2 thousand deer antlers are exhibited here. To this day, this castle remains a favorite place for traditional hound hunting. And especially for her, about a hundred well-trained dogs are kept in the large castle kennel.

How to get there.

By train from Paris Austerlitz station to Blois station (1.5 hours).

Villandry Castle

15 km from Tours there is a white castle, to which the flow of tourists never stops. And the reason for this is not only the luxurious facades of the 15th century, but also the magnificent gardens, thanks to which this castle became famous throughout the world. The three-level landscape, decorative vegetable gardens, intricate patterns of flower beds and colorful flower beds that create living patterns are beautiful at any time of the year. The gardens, which are considered a masterpiece of French park art, are in perfect harmony with the entire architectural complex. The interiors of the castle were created in the 18th century. These are living and living rooms, a dining room, a staircase and an art gallery. For a long time now, the castle has belonged to representatives of the Carvalho dynasty. Thanks to their efforts, not only the architectural monument itself was restored, but also the unique gardens.

How to get there.

By train from Paris Montparnasse station to Tours (1 hour). Then by taxi. In July and August, a special bus runs from Tours to the castle.

Castle of Ussé

The picturesque castle with medieval towers and loopholes has been known since the mid-15th century. It is generally accepted that it was its facades and interiors that were described by Charles Perrault in the famous fairy tale dedicated to Sleeping Beauty. During the time when Napoleon ruled the country, secret meetings of royalists who wanted to restore the Bourbon dynasty to the French throne took place here.

Gothic buildings erected in the Indre River valley are surrounded by a picturesque regular park. This castle is so popular that more than half a million tourists visit it every year. Many of them come to admire the rich collection of tapestries displayed in the gallery that connects the two wings of the castle. On the tapestries you can see scenes of balls, hunting and masquerades, rural landscapes, as well as portraits of famous citizens. Most of the paintings were made by masters of the famous Brussels manufactory.

How to get there.

By train from Paris Montparnasse station to Tours station (1 hour). Then by bus.

Valence Castle

Construction of the ancient castle began in 1540, and its construction lasted until the 18th century. But, despite the different construction times, the architectural complex is distinguished by harmony and unity. The modern appearance of this castle is largely the merit of Napoleonic Foreign Minister Tyleran, who, at the expense of the emperor, put the buildings and surrounding lands in order. During World War II, the treasures of the Louvre were kept in Valence. Today, the castle interiors are fully furnished. There is a museum of vintage cars specially created for tourists here. The buildings are surrounded by formal French-style gardens and a landscaped English park. Its beauty was noted by the famous writer George Sand. The old park houses llamas and other exotic animals, and peacocks roam freely along the alleys.

How to get there.

By train from Paris Montparnasse station to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps station or Valence station.

Castle of Azay-le-Rideau

Built on an island in the middle of the Indre River and surrounded by greenery, this castle is very picturesque. It was erected during the reign of King Francis I. And although the medieval castle is more than six hundred years old, it is perfectly preserved and welcomes tourists all year round. Inside, seven rooms are open for inspection, including luxurious royal bedrooms, a ballroom, a library with a fireplace and a kitchen. The furnishings reproduced in them correspond to the traditions of the 16th-17th centuries. Many travelers who come here call the castle one of the most romantic places in the Loire Valley.

How to get there.

The castle is located 25 km southwest of Tours. Therefore, first you need to go from the Paris Montparnasse station by train to the Tours station (1 hour). And then - by bus or taxi.

Chinon Castle

The royal fortress of Chinon stands on a hill near the Vienne River. It was a strategically important place, with an excellent view of the surrounding lands. And in case of danger, many armed soldiers could take refuge inside the vast castle territory. At the beginning of the 14th century, the fortress housed a prison in which the Templar knights were imprisoned. And it was here in 1429 that the French leader Joan of Arc met with the future king Charles VII.

How to get there.

The castle-fortress stands in the city of the same name. From Paris you need to go by train to Poitiers or Tours. And from these cities there are local buses and trains running to Chinon.

Castle of Saumur

The fortress on the historical road of the Valley of the Kings, near the confluence of the Thue River into the Loire, was built in the 13th century. Its name is translated from Latin as “small fort in the swamps.” In the XIV-XVI centuries the fortress was rebuilt into a majestic castle-palace. The silhouette of the castle is typical for such buildings. The faceted towers stand on round plinths and are located close to each other. The hill on which it is built is called the Emerald Rock. Inside there is a museum where ancient objects of decorative and applied art are exhibited - enamels, carpets, tapestries, as well as collections of porcelain and earthenware. In addition, the castle houses the original Horse Museum.

How to get there.

The castle is located in the city of Saumur. From Paris you need to go by train to Tours. And from there local trains run to Saumur about once an hour.

Last spring I was finally able to realize my long-standing desire: to see with my own eyes castles of the Loire Valley. Preparing for the trip, we spent a long time deciding where to stay. And in the end they chose the city of Amboise and were satisfied with their decision. The town is small, but not an outright wilderness: there are places where you can go, there is something to see and where to take a walk. The location of Amboise is very convenient: it is located approximately in the middle between the castles and the cities that we planned to visit.

Life in Amboise is centered around the castle; the city is full of narrow streets, cute houses, cozy cafes and shops. This is the view from the castle.

Around the castle.

I really liked the Amboise castle itself. We bought an audio guide in Russian, but you can also get a guidebook in Russian for free. This excursion turned out to be the most interesting of all for me. We started from the chapel of Saint-Hubert, where da Vinci's ashes are supposedly kept.

Then we walked to the fortress walls. From there you have an excellent view of Amboise and the Loire stretching beyond the horizon. And here is the castle of Amboise itself.

Of the interior spaces of the castle, the most impressive were the Council Hall and the Cupbearer's Hall.

After the tour, everyone ends up in a small garden where there is a Lebanese cedar tree, which can be seen from different parts of the city.

The next castle on the plan is Chenonceau. It took only 25 minutes to get there from our hotel by car. Along the way we came across small villages: all very well-groomed, but as empty as Amboise in the evening. There is ample free car parking in Chenonceau. In the morning there were practically no visitors, so we started with a visit to the castle.

After paying a certain amount, you can take a video guide in Russian. By the way, this is very convenient, and the excursion itself is excellent. I was interested in the history of the castle associated with its owners - Catherine de Medici, Diane de Poitiers and Louise Dupin. But my husband was impressed by the events that took place here during World War II.

After the castle we took a walk in Diana's garden. We were caught in the rain, so we went for a snack and then came back to continue our walk through the gardens and parks. In total, we walked around Chenonceau for about 4 hours.

From Amboise to the castle Chambord we drove for almost an hour. Parking turned out to be paid, we stood in line for a long time, the audio guide here is more expensive - 5 euros, but it was also inconvenient, boring and uninteresting, which I was very disappointed with. In addition, almost all the turrets of the wonderful castle roof were covered with scaffolding. In short, things didn’t work out for me from the very beginning with Chambord (.

And so we began to wander around the castle. It was cold, damp in some rooms, plus huge crowds of people. In general, Chambord Castle was the only place in the Loire Valley that I did not like.

Beautiful and quite interesting, especially the wing of Francis I. This castle became the fourth in two days, so everything started to get confused in my head. There simply wasn’t enough strength for the fourth wing of the castle.

We liked the view of old Blois and the river valley from above so much that we decided to first take a few photos of the Loire Valley and then walk around the city.

After Blois we went to Lange, but it started to rain again and instead of the planned tours of the castles, we got local wine and cheese, and then a sound and healthy sleep).

The next day we reached Lange in about 45 minutes by car. The road went past Tours along the banks of the Loire, along the way we noticed a large number of wine cellars that invited us to a tasting. The town of Lange seemed very nice to me. In addition, there is a large free parking lot near the castle.

At the entrance to the castle you meet such a cheerful man.

In the halls of Lange Castle there is information in Russian. There is a hall with wax figures and a light and sound show is staged: the lights go out, and then the story about the royal wedding begins. I really liked the castle and the city of Langeais itself - we left with regret.

To be honest, I didn’t expect that at Villandry Castle it will be so interesting. For the sake of the gardens located here, we didn’t even stop by Montsoreau.

The road to Villandry is very beautiful, with picturesque rural scenery. We got there in about 30 minutes. You can park for free in front of the castle entrance. The castle itself closes a little earlier than the gardens, so we decided to look into it first. What I really liked were the fresh flowers in every room.

The gardens are something fantastic!