The route that we propose on this occasion is an itinerary that will take us through some of the most beautiful corners of France. We will visit the Loire Valley, in the center of the country, an authentic valley of kings whose castles remind us that this region was for centuries the favorite of the monarchy and the French court. The trip will allow us to dream through its majestic constructions: castles, notable palaces, impressive gardens and outstanding religious buildings; jewels that, in short, have the power to transport us to other times.
There is no official list, however, the area treasures more than three hundred fortifications, especially Renaissance, with a dazzling architecture and a meticulous aesthetic. Twenty-four of them have been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Our route will extend a little over 180 kilometers, from Saumur to Chambord
Our particular route will extend over a little over 180 kilometres, from Saumur to Chambord, where its castle awaits us, one of the most beautiful in the world. The road, however, has some unexpected surprises in store for us.
Saumur
Known as the White City, due to the calcareous tuff of this color of its most emblematic buildings, Samur is a charming town on the banks of the Loire with numerous corners that are attractive to outsiders. It is interesting to walk through its historic center, very well preserved, with churches such as Chantilly, the royal chapel of Notre Dame des Ardilliers, or its popular tank museum. We cannot ignore either the troglodytic houses and galleries, cavities excavated in the rocks inhabited for centuries, typical of the region.
Although, possibly, your interest is focused on visiting the castle-palace of the Dukes of Anjou, the first on this route. It is impossible not to see it, it is located on top of a small hill, dominating the entire city and it seems to be taken from a fairy tale. It was built at the end of the 11th century, and in its day it was a fortress, rest residence, palace of the governors of the town, jail and weapons and ammunition depot.
Saumur has been intimately linked to horse riding since the 16th century, when the first equestrian academy was opened. It is possible to visit the Cadre Noir, the National Riding School and witness a demonstration of French dressage. Do not leave the city without first delighting yourself with its wines and its gastronomy.
Chinon
After saying goodbye to Saumur, we start the route to Chinon, located 40 kilometers away. A city of barely eight thousand inhabitants awaits us, stretching along the Vienne River, at the foot of a limestone mound dominated by the royal fortress, which dominates the town as it once did. Protagonist since ancient times of bloody battles and remarkable historical episodes, the fort still bears the mark of famous figures such as Joan of Arc or Charles VII, at a time when the history of France and England were closely linked.
Villandry
The next destination is Villandry, 35 kilometers north of Chinon. We arrived at this tiny town attracted by the fame of its splendid gardens, which highlight the beauty of the last Renaissance castle built in the Loire Valley. It was built by Juan el Bretón, finance minister of Francisco I in the middle of the 16th century, achieving a perfect harmony between the architecture and its surroundings.
Tours
The objective of our trip is to visit castles, so the next stop should be Chenonoceau, fifty kilometers away. However, we do not resist making an intermediate stop in Tours.
The city is an ancient Gallo-Roman settlement that can boast of having, according to the French, the most beautiful square in the country: Place Plumereau. We recommend strolling through the cobbled streets of the old town, among half-timbered houses and going to the cathedral and the Olivier Debré Center for Contemporary Creation (CCCOD).
Tours has the most beautiful square in France: Place Plumereau
Tours is a city of good wine and good gastronomy: charcuterie, goat cheese, fish from the Loire, fouaces, fish from the Loire or Tours nougat – a kind of medieval nougat – will not disappoint you and will give you energy to resume your journey.
Chenonceau
In Chenonceau we discover one of the most charming castles in the region. It is popularly known as the Castle of the Ladies, since it was built in 1513 by Katherine Briçonnet; conditioning by Diane de Poitiers; enlarged by Catherine de Medici; preserved by Louise de Lorraine, and saved by Louise Dupin, a great lady of high society of the eighteenth century.
Chenonceau is a clear exponent of French refinement, which makes him one of the public’s favourites. It has an original design on the Cher River, with a dazzling white and beautiful curved turrets. If you have the chance, embark on a cruise and see it from the waters. The vision is most beautiful.
Inside there is an interesting collection of great masters of painting such as Tintoretto, Murillo or Rubens, and a set of tapestries from Flanders from the 16th century.
Amboise
The next stage of our journey is only 15 kilometers away. We are in Amboise, a mandatory stop on any tour of the Loire. And it is that this city of thirteen thousand inhabitants, in addition to possessing the historic royal castle, was the last resting place of Leonardo da Vinci.
Its castle, one of the great jewels of the region, occupies a prominent place in the history of France, since various monarchs were born and lived here. It was the first construction to introduce Italian influences in the Loire Valley at the hands of Charles VIII and later Francis I, guided by the Italian genius.
