Loire Valley Castles

Background

Both castles are in France's Centre-Val de Loire region: Château de Chambord stands at Chambord in Loir-et-Cher, and Château de Chenonceau stands near the village of Chenonceaux in Indre-et-Loire, spanning the River Cher. Chambord has 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces and 84 staircases, and its 128-meter facade is studded with more than 800 carved columns. The two flights of the central double-helix staircase rise through three floors without ever meeting, and the chimneys and lantern turrets on the roof form a stone skyline. Commissioned by Francis I, the castle was begun in 1519 and substantially completed in 1547, and it was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981. During World War II, part of the Louvre's collections was moved here for safekeeping. The present main body of Chenonceau was built in 1514–1522; the arched bridge across the river was built in 1556–1559 to the design of Philibert de l'Orme, and the gallery above it was added in 1570–1576 to the design of Jean Bullant, completed in 1577. The gallery has windows on both sides, with the river flowing beneath them. Henry II gave the castle to his mistress Diane de Poitiers; after Henry's death, Queen Catherine de' Medici forced Diane to exchange Chenonceau for the Château de Chaumont and added gardens. Apart from Versailles, Chenonceau is the most visited castle in France.

Local customs

At Chambord, climb the double-helix staircase, walk out onto the roof terrace to examine the chimneys and lantern turrets that form the "stone skyline", then stroll the 52.5-square-kilometer wooded estate. At Chenonceau, walk across the gallery bridge, look back and forth between the two banks, visit Diane's garden and Catherine's garden, and learn how the gallery served as a hospital ward during World War I.

Travel tips

• Both castles are popular Loire Valley sights, and crowds concentrate in high season, so allow generous time and visit off-peak. Chambord's estate is vast and suits half a day or more. Ticket prices and opening hours follow official information. From late spring to early autumn the gardens and river scenery are at their best for outdoor strolling
• in winter there are fewer visitors and indoor visits are more leisurely, though some outdoor activities may be reduced, as officially announced.
• From Paris, take a train to Blois or Tours and then transfer to a shuttle. Driving along the Loire Valley is the smoothest way to visit
• you can travel between the two castles by car or shuttle and stop at other valley castles along the way.