Visit castles in Loire Valley
2023-07-07
The ancient castle has always been one of most popular attractions of European tourism. Which castle to see, in which city, in which country is also a question that you should pay attention to. If you are looking for medieval castles in Germany, you must head to Rhine Valley; then if you are looking at castles in France, Loire Valley is a tourist destination not to be missed.
The Loire River is longest river in France, with a total length of 1,020 kilometers. The Loire Valley is located in middle and lower reaches of river, with world-famous castles of Loire Valley. Most of these castles were built by French royalty and nobles during Middle Ages and Renaissance. There are more than 3,000 castles. They combine virtues of various architectural styles and carry a rich history.
Chambord - masterpiece of king of hunters
Generally speaking, when French royal family and nobles build castles, they must have at least three castles for different purposes: they are often lived in, they use them for summer holidays, and they use them for hunting. Chambord was built for king on hunting in 1519. Francis I, known as hunter-king of France because of his enthusiastic hunting, ordered construction of Chambord Castle to make it easier for him to hunt in surrounding forests.
However, castle was built for hundreds of years, not to mention fact that Francis I could not see completion of castle during his lifetime, even Henry II and Charles IX after him could not see whole picture of castle. Only in 1684, during reign of Louis XIV, was largest castle in Loire Valley finally completed.
It took 165 years to build and one can only imagine dynamism and sophistication of Chambord Castle. Clear geometric lines, coordinated proportions and a peculiar roof full of corner towers, chimneys and dazzling skylights, aroused admiration and dreaminess in people.
However, what castle has been talking about for hundreds of years is its marvelous double spiral staircase. The double spiral staircase was designed by Leonardo da Vinci and is located in center of main tower of castle. Two spiral staircases with different entrances surround same hollow stone column, intertwining and intertwining throughout all three floors of castle. This design is mainly for queen and king's mistress to be able to see each other's faces, even if they go up and down stairs at same time, instead of embarrassingly walking past them and avoiding confusing situations.
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Chenonceau - castle on water with bridges
The Château de Chenonceau is steeped in many romantic and long-standing legends of French royal family, most famous of which is jealousy between Catherine de Medici, Henry II's queen, and Diane de Poitiers, beloved concubine.
Katrina at that time was official wife of King Henry II, but king did not enjoy her favor. On contrary, smart and beautiful Diana was more admired by Henry II, which incited jealousy in heart of family. In 1574, King Henry II gave Chenonceau to his beloved concubine Diana. This beautiful, intelligent and businesslike woman turned Chenonceau into most fashionable and fashionable place of that time. She built a long bridge over river Cher, which makes Chenonceau only castle with a bridge in the world.
But later, in a duel with swords in 1559, Henry II was unfortunately stabbed to death by his captain of Scottish Guard. After death of Henry II, Queen Catherine not only completely regented France, but also expelled Diana from castle of Chenonceau. Since then, Catherine has redesigned castle gardens and continued to expand castle by building a two-story embankment on a long bridge over River Cher. At that time, Catherine, as queen regent, staged a grand celebration on embankment, and also controlled entire French kingdom here, establishing prestige of her son as a young king at that time
Blois is a French imperial city with centuries of history
After visiting two of most famous castles in Loire Valley, return to Paris, passing through Blois on way, a simple, beautiful and elegant city.
It is located between Orléans and Tours, on banks of Loire River. The small city of Blois several times in history became second capital of France, and its status at that time was comparable to today's Paris. In center of ancient city, there is also a very famous castle - Blois Castle, which has been a French royal castle for a century. Exquisite furniture and colorful interior decoration of royal bedroom tell about this to tourists arriving here one after another. to former glory.