Parks & Gardens

Beauregard Castle, a former hunting lodge of Francis I, is a must-see for history buffs. It houses the renowned "Portrait Gallery" and its 327 illustrious figures, the largest collection of historical portraits in Europe. Inhabited by the same family since 1926, Beauregard has continually […]

On the border between Anjou and Touraine, Langeais boasts two exceptional castles overlooking the Loire River: the tower of Fulk Nerra and the castle of Louis XI. The former is notable for being the oldest keep in France, while the latter presents a dual character, medieval on the town side and Renaissance-inspired on the courtyard side. Around the year 1000, Fulk Nerra conquered Langeais and founded a powerful fortress, long contested between the Counts of Anjou and those of Blois. Along with the rest of Touraine, the stronghold ultimately remained in the hands of the House of Anjou and later the Plantagenet Empire […]

In the heart of the Loire Valley, the Château de Valmer is a marvel of the Italian Renaissance, where a wine estate and an exceptional garden blend harmoniously. Its vineyard covers thirty-two hectares, six of which lie within the historic walls of the park. The long tuffeau cellars age the great wines of this château, whose winemaking tradition dates back to the 16th century. Jean de Saint Venant is today the fifth generation to passionately cultivate the vines of Château de Valmer, always striving to produce exceptional wines, "wines of […]

Located near the Royal Château of Amboise, the Château du Clos Lucé offers a journey through 800 years of history. The former home of Leonardo da Vinci, it is dedicated to the memory of the Italian master. The epic story of this residence, built of pink brick and tufa stone on Gallo-Roman foundations, begins in 1471 during the reign of Louis XI. The king gifted the Cloux estate to his favorite, Étienne le Loup, a former kitchen boy who had been ennobled. There, he built the Château du Cloux as well as one of the most beautiful dovecotes in France, which has remained intact. In 1490, the site was […]

The first of the Loire Valley châteaux to reach the north, Le Lude is a vibrant testament to the evolution of French architecture from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Its four distinct façades lend a unique charm to this prestigious historical monument, now privately owned by the Count and Countess of Nicolaÿ. The origins […]

Located in the Cher department, the Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil, a listed historical monument, is a magnificent family residence passed down through generations since 1467. Here, the medieval castle, landscaped park, and gardens, also listed as a Historical Monument and awarded the "Remarkable Garden" label, coexist harmoniously. Ainay-le-Vieil is a 13th-century fortified castle that has preserved a system […]

The last of the great Loire Valley châteaux built during the Renaissance, Villandry is a magnificent edifice that has evolved for centuries within a spectacular verdant setting. Construction began in 1532 under the impetus of Jean Le Breton, finance minister to Francis I. Drawing on his experience at Chambord, he decided to build a sumptuous monument of striking simplicity and great elegance. However, Le Breton chose to preserve the medieval heritage by retaining the massive keep, which still dominates the three new wings in the French Renaissance style. From the top of the terrace […]

Built in 1420 by Pierre de Beauvau, then Grand Chamberlain to Charles VII, the Château du Rivau is a stunning château listed as a Historic Monument. Men of war and men of letters, the Beauvau family were close to the Counts of Anjou and even allied themselves with the royal family in the mid-15th century. From 1714 onwards, several owners succeeded one another, from the Marquis de Castellane, Lord of Villandry, to the painter Pierre-Laurent Brenot, and since 1992, the Laigneau family, who undertook an essential and exemplary twenty-year restoration campaign. Inside, precious furnishings—chests, sideboards, and four-poster beds—are displayed alongside […]

Between Sologne and Beauce, on the banks of the Loire River, stands the Château de Meung-sur-Loire. It is nicknamed the "castle with two faces" because of its medieval and classical façades. The cradle of the Capetian dynasty, it was, until the French Revolution, the prestigious residence of the Bishops of Orléans. It is one of the rare castles built by and for bishops. It was in the 13th century that Bishop Manassès de Seignelay erected a veritable palace, a residence worthy of him and his rank. Expansions were carried out in the following centuries, notably during the Hundred Years' War, when the bishops enlarged […]

Located in the heart of the Brenne Regional Natural Park, the Château d'Azay-le-Ferron, boasting architecture spanning the 15th to 18th centuries, will transport you through different styles and eras! Throughout your visit, you will discover drawing rooms, bedrooms, the dining room, the kitchen, and the library—approximately fifteen sumptuously furnished rooms in which the Hersent-Luzarche family, owners since 1852, lived. The last descendant of this family, Marthe Hersent-Luzarche, bequeathed the estate to the city of Tours in 1951, entrusting it with the mission of opening the doors of this exceptional place to the public. This ensemble […]

In the Perche region, the hermit Bernard of Tiron settled in the parish of Gardais with a few disciples in 1114. There he founded the Abbey of the Holy Trinity. It quickly prospered thanks to the honorable reputation of Saint Bernard. Protected by King Louis VI the Fat, it flourished and oversaw nearly 22 other abbeys, in […]

The Chaumont-sur-Loire estate lies at the heart of the Loire Valley's cultural landscapes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Owned by the Centre-Val de Loire region since 2008, the estate encompasses the château, the parks, the International Garden Festival, and the Centre for Arts and Nature. Perched 40 meters above […]