Loire Valley Walk: Head to a French Chateau for Christmas
2023-07-20
Located in Loire Valley in central France, about 120 kilometers southwest of Paris, with a total length of about 280 kilometers and an area of about 800 square kilometers, it is one of most beautiful scenic spots in France and is known as French Garden . The picturesque place has witnessed interactive development of man and nature over more than two thousand years, especially social changes during European Renaissance and Enlightenment; historic buildings in valley, especially renaissance castle, are of extremely high architectural and historical value. In 2000, UNESCO inscribed Loire Valley on World Cultural Heritage List as a World Cultural Scenic Site. —— "From Carthage to Mycenae: The Magnificent Loire Valley"
Some say that two places are enough to appreciate authentic French style: one in Paris and other in Loire Valley. Because of this phrase, first time I went to France, I went to Paris and Loire Valley.
Paris in my mind is really Paris, with its splendor, elegance and all sorts of styles. According to Hemingway, it is a "touching holiday". As for Loire Valley, before trip I had no impressions and expectations at all. Faced with reality, I met most fabulous castle and most unforgettable Christmas in Loire Valley.
The Loire (La Loire) is largest river in France and most beautiful river. The Loire Valley (Le val de Loire) is a plain located in middle reaches of Loire River.
Balzac once described Loire Valley as follows: “There is a valley starting from city of Montbazon and extending to Loire River. The mountains on both sides are undulating, and castles on mountains are scattered. whole valley is like an emerald bowl... Come in spring to enjoy beautiful and chaste natural landscape, like a bride, or in late autumn, in silence and vicissitudes of landscape, satisfy your lonely sadness.
Even 2000 years ago, people settled here; during Hundred Years War between Great Britain and France, French king built many castles here with military defensive functions; under influence of Francis I, military-defensive function of castle was weakened, and it became a place of rest, meetings and hunting of kings, nobility and celebrities in literary and artistic circles.
Since 16th century, Loire Valley has produced countless humanist masters such as François Rabelais, Descartes, Balzac, Jules Verne (Jules Gabriel Verne). In addition, French in Loire Valley claim to be "cleanest" French in France.
Today, most of ancient castles on both sides of strait have become tourist attractions, and ancient buildings tell tourists about vicissitudes and thickness of history. Accompanied by quiet Loire River, natural forest landscapes, simple villages and towns, towering churches and castles, they represent most authentic French style.
Among more than 200 existing castles, about 20 are listed as World Cultural Heritage and open to public. If there are only two or three days, it is not realistic to visit all castles, and there will be aesthetic fatigue. You might as well choose a few castles that you like, visit them slowly, find a small restaurant to taste rustic food in your spare time, stroll along Loire River, stay in a castle hotel for one night and be happy and lazy all time. night. a few days Isn't it better for aristocrats?
I was in Loire Valley for Christmas last year. Although it's not peak tourist season, winter scenery is still beautiful and there's an extra festive joy to be had. Bright and magnificent Christmas trees, colorful street lights, lively Christmas markets... Old castles, churches, streets and alleys, you can see enthusiastic faces everywhere that will inexplicably improve your well-being.
Due to lack of time, my friends and I only visited Chambord, Cheverny, Chenonceau, Amboise Royal Castle, Clos-Luce. Each of five ancient castles has its own merits, and it is worth calming down to thoroughly savor them.
The first thing I visited was Chambord. As one of most prestigious castles in Loire Valley, Chambord and Chenonceau are referred to as "one king and one queen".
Chambord is a masterpiece of French Renaissance, wildest dream and most ambitious project of King Francis I of France.
Chambord brought to mind this "king of literature and art." Francis I can be called one of most beloved kings in French history. He is known as first monarch of Renaissance France because of his love of art.
There are 440 rooms in Chambord, 365 chimneys, 13 main staircases and 70 auxiliary staircases. The overall dynamics are magnificent and filled with a royal atmosphere.
It is said that legendary "double helix staircase" at Chambord was designed by Leonardo da Vinci to avoid embarrassment of meeting Queen Francis I and his lovers on way up and down stairs.
How to get there: Chambord is located in a small town near Blois, it is recommended to go to Blois by train or tourist bus, and then transfer to a bus from Blois.
The Château de Cheverny is also close to Blois, but is an "alternative" among castles of Loire region.
The Château de Cheverny was built between 1624 and 1640 by then lord of Cheverny, Comte Henri Hureau. Due to huge project, countess never saw final completion of castle, later their daughter completed interior decoration of castle, and today elegant castle of Cheverny stands there.
Today castle is home to family of Marquis de Vibret and some rooms are open to public.
For what it's worth, if you're a fan of The Adventures of Tintin, you should check it out. This is plan of Marinspike Palace in The Adventures of Tintin.
How to get there: Cheverny Castle is located about 16 km from Blois. You can take a bus from Blois to Blois and back.
The Château de Chenonceau, called a French fort, is located on banks of tributaries of Loire River and is a romantic castle on water.
Known as "Castle of Women", seven successive owners of Château de Chenonceau are renowned "favorites" and "queens". The most famous is Catherine de Medici, queen of Henry II. The artistic design and interior decoration of two-story galleries of castle reflect good taste of this woman from Italian Medici family, and insults and troubles between Queen Catherine and her beloved concubine Diana are also traced in anecdotes of castle.
Regardless of royal love story, after generations of mistresses, Chenonceau has become most refined and elegant castle of all castles of Loire Valley. Although he is not as magnificent as Chambord, but his subtle tenderness and feminine elegance is not in Chambord.
How to get there: Chenonceau, town in which castle is located, is very small, so it is recommended to take a train from Tours to visit Chenonceau. On average, train leaves every hour for half an hour, and fare is about 10 euros.
The royal castle of Amboise was built in 15th century, where Francis I and his heirs spent their childhood. With white walls and a black roof, chateau combines Gothic and Renaissance styles and is built on a hillside overlooking magnificent scenery of Loire River.
In Amboise you will hear mostly stories about François I and Leonardo da Vinci. François I admired da Vinci's talent and invited him to live in France. Da Vinci came to France and brought back Mona Lisa (now in Louvre, France) and seeds of Renaissance.
Da Vinci lived at Clolus Castle near Royal Palace for three years, which was also last three years of da Vinci's life.
During this period, François I regarded Leonardo da Vinci as his father and took good care of him, and they became close friends. Da Vinci finally died in arms of Francis I. Da Vinci was 64 years old when he died, and Francis I was 22 years old.
How to get there: only 20 minutes by train from city center of Tours to Amboise, leaving every hour; you can also take bus which takes about 45 minutes.
After visiting Amboise Castle, turn left and continue southeast down street and after about 5-10 minutes walk you will see a red house. This is Clos Luce castle where da Vinci lived.
At da Vinci's last residence, bedrooms and living room are as bright and clean as they were over 500 years ago. Da Vinci's workshop displays prototypes of all his inventions related to military, urban planning, mechanical engineering, aircraft, water management and many other areas.
Behind castle, there is a small garden with lush trees and a babbling stream, which gives it a calm and serene atmosphere. Da Vinci's invention and research has been turned into models and placed in garden for visitors to understand and experience. Also in garden there is a small exhibition hall, which regularly hosts various thematic exhibitions of da Vinci.
Arrival method: same as above.
Finally, I would like to recommend city of Tours, known as "French Court". The tours are located in center of castles in Loire Valley. The transfer from Tours to castles is very convenient and accommodation and shops are also very convenient. The whole city is small, most of public buildings were built in 18th century, very simple, clean and tidy.
The tour is also known for its cheeses, fine wines and purest French accent, so give it a try.
Travel tips:
1. Route traffic. If traffic is offline, you can do whatever you want. If you use public transport and depart from Paris, you can travel to main central cities of Loire Valley such as Orleans, Blois, Tours, Chinon, Saumur, transfer to Angers, Nantes and other places.
2. Do your homework ahead of time: If you're planning a trip to Loire Valley, it's best to know history of the Renaissance, especially Francis I, Catherine de Medici, and other famous figures, otherwise it might just be fun to watch.
3. Castle tickets: each castle has a fee, most tickets cost about 10 euros, there are discounts for seniors and students.
4. Wine regions: The Loire Valley region is a traditional French wine region producing all kinds of high quality wines. Whether it's red, white or rosé wine, it's a good idea to take a few bottles of locally produced wine with you.