Loire castles
Château de la Guerche (15 min) - open in summer
Château de la Guerche is a major historical and cultural landmark in southern Touraine. It was built between 1450 and 1500 by André de Villequier, then by his son Arthus.
Château des Ormes (20 min) - open from 01/06 to 30/09
Château des Ormes, on the banks of the Vienne, was built by the Pussort brothers, Colbert's uncles, from 1642. It was acquired in 1729 by Count Marc-Pierre Voyer d'Argenson, Louis XV's Minister of War and a friend of Diderot and D'Alembert, who dedicated the Encyclopédie to him. It was home to many famous guests, including Voltaire.
Cité Royale de Loches (25 min) ♥♥♥ - open all year round
Travel back through a thousand years of history as you visit the royal city of Loches, meeting the great figures who made these places famous: women of influence or power named Joan of Arc, Agnès Sorel and Anne of Brittany; kings including Charles VII and Charles VIII; but also notable prisoners such as Cardinal Balue and Ludovic Sforza.
Château d'Azay le Ferron (40 min) ♥♥♥
The Château d'Azay-le-Ferron, with its rich architecture dating from the 15th to 18th centuries, is a veritable time machine that will take you on a journey through artistic styles and eras. You'll wander through the many lounges, bedrooms, dining room, kitchen and library - some 15 sumptuously furnished rooms in which lived the Hersent Luzarche family, owners since 1852, who bequeathed the estate to the city of Tours in 1951.
Château de Montpoupon at Cère la Ronde and Veneur Museum (50 mins) ♥♥♥
This ancient medieval fortress opens its doors to authentic rooms: the king's bedroom, the old kitchens (with more than 150 coppers!)The Musée du Veneur brings together in nearly 30 rooms a unique collection on hunting with hounds and horses.
Château de Montrésor (50 min)
The Château de Montrésor is one of the finest châteaux in the Loire Valley. It is fully furnished and has remained unchanged for 150 years.
Château du Rivau (50 min) ♥♥♥
A magnificent medieval château with 14 contemporary gardens, each inspired by a theme from the legends of the Middle Ages and changing with the seasons. This magnificent site in the land of fairy tales is a must-see for the whole family without hesitation: Activities: self-guided treasure hunt for younger children, ‘knight’ and ‘princess’ costume hire, Rivau adventure game and much more.... For more information, visit https://chateaudurivau.com
Royal Fortress of Chinon (50 min) - open all year round
A major site in French history - Joan of Arc met the dauphin Charles VII here in 1429 - and a very contemporary approach to museography: augmented reality, videos, multimedia tour booklet, sound benches... Welcome to a fortress of the 3rd millennium!
Château de Chenonceau (1 hour) ♥♥♥ - open all year round
A château built, fitted out and transformed by women with very different temperaments. It was built by Katherine Briçonnet in 1513, enriched by Diane de Poitiers and enlarged under Catherine de Médicis.
Château Royal d'Amboise (1 hour) - open all year round
This emblematic monument and its landscaped gardens offer one of the most remarkable panoramas of the Loire Valley, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
