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Loire Valley Chateaux Country, one of the best things to do during holidays in France
Loire Valley Chateaux Country
In a class of its own, Touraine is dotted with elegant stone giants: the Loire Valley chateaux. The landscape here is dominated by their majestic silhouettes: concentrated over an area of less than 100km, Touraine is home to some of the grandest Loire Valley castles. Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau castle, Villandry castle and its gardens, Clos Lucé, Chinon, Langeais, Loches, Ussé… these places are inseparable from the history of France and its kings; these names evoke the stories of Joan of Arc, Leonardo da Vinci, the troubled Middle Ages and the lavish Renaissance period.
Along with these famous monuments, there are nearly fifty Loire castles that are currently open to the public. While they all share a common trait, the "tuffeau" (tufa stone), a soft limestone from the banks of the Loire, each castle has its own individual character. No two attractions are alike, each castle is a unique experience due to the variety of architectural styles and the personality of their former and current owners.
Loire Valley chateaux - Interactive map
