Built in the Renaissance and become the home of Diane de Poitiers, the castle of Chenonceau is one of the most beautiful castles of the Loire, if not the most beautiful. Visit Chenonceau Castle, its French gardens and the Wax Museum and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this building controlling the Cher.

Favorite residence of the kings in the Renaissance, the last of the Valois summoned the States-General there twice. The castle of Blois mixes architectural styles, from Gothic to classicism. Blois is best known for its monumental staircase, its galleries, its Louis XII wing and the equestrian statue.

The Clos-Lucé is the last home of Leonardo da Vinci. A few yards from the royal castle of Amboise lived the greatest genius of all time. Visit the Clos-Lucé and its reconstructions of Leonardo da Vinci's machines.

Between Amboise and Blois stands the castle of Chaumont with his estate on the banks of the Loire. This middle-aged fortress was later acquired by Queen Catherine de Medici who forced the favorite of the late King Henry II Diane of Poitiers to exchange the castle of Chenonceau against this area of Chaumont, rich in vineyards.

Jewel of the chateaux of the Loire, Chambord was designed for the pleasure of the great King Francis I and became the symbol of the Renaissance.