10 Best Chateaux to Visit in the Loire Valley France - by Corina Clemence

10 Best Chateaux to Visit in the Loire Valley France - by Corina Clemence: "The kings of France, seduced by the temperate climate and the game-filled forests built their sumptuous homes here in the Loire Valley. They surrounded themselves with the greatest artists and architects of this era. This is the country of a thousand castles. The valley is full of not only royal castles and renaissance palaces, national museum and large magnificent chateaux, but also medieval castles and fortresses, small fairy tale manors, private chateaux, medieval cities, churches, abbeys, and cathedrals. Many chateaux and stately homes are open to the public: some are state owned, such as Chambord and Blois; others are private, and still lived in. A large proportion of them run son-et-lumiere shows during the tourist season. Chateau de Chenonceau and Chateau de Chambord are definitely worth a visit and are close to Blois.

1.Chateau de Chenonceau
Le Chateau des Dames built on a bridge across the river Cher is one of the more romantic chateaux of the Loire with elegant turrets, arches and stately avenues bordered by plane trees. It's romantic feel is further heightened by the fact that its stylised and symmetrical structure is reflected in the waters of the Cher.

Chenonceau owes much of its design and beauty to four women in particular. It was Catherine de Briconnet who first st"