THE GUIDE CHÂTEAUX 2020 FRANCE TODAY’S TOP PICKS FOR 2020…


Clockwise from main: The châteaux of Blois and Chenonceau, with their fairy-tale good looks; holiday makers snap up memories at Chambord; the immaculate formal gardens at Villandry; inset, Château de Hautefort in the Dordogne


WHERE TO VISIT Château de Blois (Loir-et-Cher)


This Loire château really does represent a French history lesson set in stone and mortar. Located in the heart of the town, Blois is known for its amalgam of four architectural styles – Medieval, Gothic, Renaissance and Classical – making it a unique example of the development of French architecture from the 13th to the 17th century. Blois was home to several French kings, and was also where Joan of Arc went in 1429 to be blessed by the Archbishop of Reims. It was classified as a historic monument in 1845, and its most celebrated feature is the spiral


130 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Apr/May 2020


staircase, covered in bas-relief sculptures, in the François I wing. In the same wing, you can visit the room where Catherine de’ Medici died in 1589, and spot the queen’s monogram adorning the walls. Entry to the town’s Fine Art Museum and Lapidary Museum, both situated in the castle, are included in the castle entrance fee. en.chateaudeblois.fr


Château d’Amboise (Indre-et-Loire)


A fan of Renaissance architecture? It’s in the Loire Valley that you’ll see the finest examples of French palaces from the 15th and 16th centuries, beautifully preserved and protected by UNESCO.


Perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the Loire River, the Château d’Amboise may look humble (well, as humble as châteaux get), but it boasts one of the most fascinating histories, involving numerous people of influence from Mary, Queen of Scots to Leonardo da Vinci, whose tomb is housed in the nearby chapel of Saint-Hubert. www.chateau-amboise.com


Château de Chambord (Loir-et-Cher)


Five centuries have passed since the first stone was laid at Chambord. The imposing structure was initially built by François I as a hunting lodge before being completed during the reign of Louis XIV, becoming


one of the most recognisable examples of Renaissance architecture in France. Sitting on roughly 13,000 acres of land, and with the building itself containing more than 400 rooms, you’d be hard-pressed to squeeze it all into one day – so why not enjoy the English guided tour, which showcases all the highlights in just one hour, leaving you ample time to get lost afterwards? www.chambord.org


Château de Chenonceau (Indre-et-Loire)


Appearing to float above the River Cher, otherworldly Chenonceau is one of the most famous châteaux in France. Aside from its good looks, a long


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