An awe-inspiring Renaissance masterpiece set in a vast game-filled forest, Chambord is famed for its double-helix staircase and extravagant architecture. Built by Francis I, it’s the largest château in the Loire and a symbol of royal ambition.

Immaculately preserved and elegantly furnished, Cheverny offers a glimpse into aristocratic life. Still owned by the same family for over six centuries, it’s famed for its interior, gardens, hunting dogs, and as the inspiration for Tintin’s Marlinspike Hall.

A refined 16th-century estate with rich interiors, Beauregard is best known for its astonishing Portrait Gallery—327 historic figures line its walls. The estate also features beautifully restored gardens and a forested park ideal for a peaceful stroll.

A charming Renaissance château nicknamed the “construction site office of Chambord,” Villesavin was home to one of its architects. Today it offers quirky collections (bridal attire, horse-drawn carriages) and tranquil grounds just minutes from its famous neighbour.

A dramatic patchwork of Gothic, Renaissance, and Classical styles, Blois was home to seven kings and ten queens. Its intimate chambers and grand courtyard vividly narrate the intrigues and elegance of French royal history in the heart of Blois.

A warm, family-run château surrounded by moats and woodland, offering hands-on heritage experiences, a charming dollhouse museum, and regular seasonal events. Its human scale and welcoming atmosphere make it a unique and memorable stop close to Les Bordes.

Château de Talcy preserves its 16th-century soul, untouched by opulence. Known for its poetic ties - Ronsard and Cassandre lived here - it evokes simpler noble life with original furnishings, rare granaries, and a working orchard that captures rural Renaissance charm.

A storybook moated château guarding the Loire’s eastern frontier, Sully evokes fairytale drama. Home to the Duke of Sully, chief minister to Henry IV, it features a medieval keep, riverside towers, and sweeping parkland rich with history.

A fortress-turned-residence with over 800 years of layered history, Meung-sur-Loire blends medieval austerity with 18th-century elegance. Wander through furnished rooms, secret passageways, and leafy grounds at this lesser-known gem once home to the bishops of Orléans.

Perched high above the river, Chaumont combines medieval flair with landscaped beauty. Once owned by Catherine de Medici, it now hosts the celebrated International Garden Festival, blending history, art and contemporary botanical design in captivating harmony.

Built in the early sixteenth century by Lancelot du Lac, a chamberlain of Louis XII, Château de Chamerolles is a Renaissance residence surrounded by water-filled moats. It reflects the transition from medieval fortress to refined courtly home and later became the property of the Orléans family, remaining closely linked to royal administration in the Loire Valley.

A romantic stone château nestled in the woods, Montpoupon charms with its hunting museum, equestrian culture and richly decorated private apartments. Its intimate scale and picturesque setting make it a serene and rewarding detour on the eastern route.

Built in the seventeenth century on the site of a medieval fortress, Château de la Bussière was the ancestral home of the du Tillet family for over two centuries. Surrounded by moats and formal gardens, it is known for its well-preserved interiors and its historic association with fishing and river life in the eastern Loire Valley.

Commanding panoramic views over the Loire, Amboise was a royal favourite -and the final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci. Its blend of Gothic architecture, Renaissance gardens, and historical significance make it one of the most iconic Loire landmarks.

Just steps from Château d’Amboise, Clos Lucé was Leonardo da Vinci’s final home. The château celebrates his inventions, art, and genius through immersive exhibits and gardens, offering a more personal, human-scale encounter with Renaissance creativity.

Once home to Napoleon’s foreign minister Talleyrand, Valençay blends aristocratic elegance with diplomacy. Its perfectly symmetrical Renaissance architecture, lavish interiors, and sprawling parkland with peacocks and woodland walks make it a true cultural escape.

Rising above the Loir Valley, Château de Châteaudun was built from the twelfth to the sixteenth century by the Counts of Dunois, including Jean de Dunois, companion of Joan of Arc. It combines a medieval keep, Gothic halls, and early Renaissance wings, reflecting its role as a major feudal and royal residence.

A vision of Renaissance harmony, Azay-le-Rideau reflects like a dream in its surrounding waters. Its graceful turrets, richly decorated rooms, and romantic parkland make it a favourite for those seeking architectural balance and timeless charm.

Gracefully spanning the River Cher, Chenonceau is known as “the Ladies’ Château” for the women who shaped it. Its elegant arches, Renaissance interiors, and floral gardens create one of the most enchanting and romantic château experiences in France.

Said to have inspired Perrault’s Sleeping Beauty, Ussé is a fairy-tale château nestled in forested hills. With turreted towers, chapel, gardens by Le Nôtre, and literary links, it delights children and grown-up romantics alike.

Built in the 1530s by Jean le Breton, a minister of Francis I, Château de Villandry is a Renaissance residence set on medieval foundations. It is renowned for its formal gardens, redesigned in the early twentieth century by Joachim Carvallo, and reflects centuries of noble ownership.

Strikingly perched above the Vienne River, Chinon’s massive medieval ramparts and royal apartments exude power and drama. It played host to Joan of Arc and the Plantagenets, offering history-rich ruins, towers and sweeping countryside views.

A symbol of the Anjou region, Saumur rises above the Loire with its iconic silhouette. Once a royal fortress and prison, today it houses collections of decorative arts and equestrian artefacts—and anchors the elegant riverside town below.

A hilltop fortress with a royal logis and imposing keep, Loches was both a residence and a prison. Rich in medieval drama, it offers sweeping views, imposing towers, and stories of Anne of Brittany, Joan of Arc, and more.