The Loire River Valley Chateaux
Within the valley, there are well over 300 chateaux built between the 10th century (with castle fortifications) to the 15th century when kings and nobleman found the Loire Valley's moderate climate, proximity to Paris, and fertile landscape quite attractive. They employed some of the world's best landscape designers and architects to build these grand 'homes'.
Today, many of the chateaux are still privately held while others are open to the public for tours and still others are operated as hotels or bed and breakfasts.
Here are my Top 10 Picks for the best Chateaux in the Loire Valley (open to the public for tours). Below is a map of the Loire Valley and its Chateaux taken from Wikipedia. Just click through for a larger version.

Lens of the Day Honors
This lens was chosen by the Squidoo experts as the Lens of the Day (LOTD) on October 6, 2008.What a thrill to be selected by the best of the best - I was truly honored! A special thanks to all of my fellow squids who have stopped by with their well wishes and comments. I appreciate all of the great feedback!
Great Loire Valley Chateau Books
#1 Château de Chenonceau
Ownership of the chateau has changed hands many times over the years, but in 1914, the Menier family (famous for chocolates) purchased it and still owns it today. Extensive renovations to the exterior and interior were done in 1951. The exquisite interior features many beautiful rooms and a large chapel decorated with priceless art work including works by Ruben, sculpted and painted wood, and period Renaissance furniture. The terraced formal gardens cover the entire bank of the river next to the Chateau.
For more information about visiting the chateau, visit their official website.
My Tips This is the most visited Chateau in France (after Versailles) so be sure to arrive early to avoid the crowds and busloads of tourists. It is well worth the extra few dollars to get the I-pod audio guide with commentary about the rooms, gardens and sites around Château de Chenonceau. Allow plenty of time to walk around the gardens - they are truly gorgeous.

#2 Château de Chambord
The chateau spent many years in disrepair. However in 1930, the French government bought the property and restored it to the magnificent building that you see today. It is surrounded by a walled game reserve called Parc de Chambord. Red deer and wild boar roam freely in the largest walled game park in Europe. For more information about visiting the chateau and game reserve, visit their website.

#3 Château d'Ussé
My Tips - The interior of the castle is not as magnificent as that of Chenonceau. However, the exterior and the view from the terraced gardens make this chateau well worth a visit.
#4 Château de Villandry
#5 Clos Lucé
Da Vinci was not only a great painter with works like the Mona Lisa, but also an extraordinary inventor of machines and discoverer of scientific phenomena. The basement of the home and the garden park house 40 of his military, aeronautic, hydraulic and mechanical inventions. They were constructed from his detailed drawings by scientists and engineers at IBM. You can see some of these inventions in the photos below.
For more information about visiting this spectacular home and garden park, visit their website.
My Tips - One of my great regrets in visiting the Loire Valley is that I didn't allot enough time to fully explore the garden park around the Clos Luce mansion. Many of Da Vinci's inventions are actually displayed in the park itself. So be sure to give yourself plenty of time to take it all in and even enjoy a cookie or cup of coffee in the little tea room directly behind the mansion.

#6 Château d'Azay-le-Rideau
Built on an island in the middle of the Indre River, the Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau seems to just rise from nowhere. The chateau features both French and Italian style architecture and was built between 1518 and 1527. Corner turrets, a walking path around the external wall, and the water surrounding the chateau give it a medieval castle feeling. Be sure to allot enough time to visit both the chateau and the surrounding grounds. For more information, visit the tourism website.
My Tips Be sure to invest in an audio guide or take a fully guided tour in order to appreciate the exterior and interior features of this magnificent chateau.
#7 Château de Blois
My Tips - If you speak English, visit the chateau on a Wednesday evening for a classical music concert and light show in English. Other evenings, it is presented in French only.
#8 Chinon and Its Castle
Today the chateau is owned and managed by the town of Chinon. You can obtain more information about visiting on their Chinon Tourist Office website.
#10 Château de Chaumont
Built on the 10th century remnants of a fortress built to protect Blois, the Chateau de Chaumont was built in the years between 1465 and 1510 by Charles I and Charles II d'Amboise. The original fortress was destroyed in the mid 15th century by King Louis XI in an act of revenge.
The chateau was built with 4 sides centered around a courtyard, but in 1739 the back wall was destroyed to obtain a better view of the Loire River below. You can see the photo below which shows the back side of the chateau as seen from across the river.
For more information about the chateau's annual Festival des Jardins (June to mid-Oct) or daily tours, visit France-For-Visitors.com.
Loire Valley Discussions at Trip Advisor
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Share Your Favorite Loire Valley Chateau or Lens Comments!
dc64 wrote...
Beautiful lens on the French chateaux, there are so many! Clos Lucé is fantastic! This lens so well compliments my castles of France, so off to do some lensrolling!
Lou1842 wrote...
I lived in Laval in the Loire Valley for 8 months and it is such a beautiful part of France. The pictures you have are amazing. Another great lens.
anthropos wrote...
I have always loved the European castles and these are some of the most beautiful. Thanks for joining my Anything and Everything Travel group.
KimGiancaterino wrote...
Beautiful lens... Congratulations on your Giant Squid Awards nomination!
clouda9 wrote...
Drop dead gorgeous pictures and a wonderful share! Your passion shines. Congrats on your 2008 Giant Squid nomination...woot! (http://www.squidoo.com/2008-giant-squid-awards)
by janices7
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