Centre-Val de Loire

The Château de Chambord, an architectural masterpiece of the French Renaissance, is the largest and most imposing château in the Loire Valley. King Francis I commissioned its construction from 1519 as a prestigious hunting lodge, though it was never permanently inhabited. You will be impressed by its sheer size and the unique details often attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, particularly the famous double-helix staircase at its center. This innovative design allows two people to ascend and descend without ever meeting.The château boasts 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces, and an impressive rooftop terrace offering sweeping views over its enormous park, which, at over 5,400 hectares, is Europe's largest enclosed forest. Our Tip: To avoid the crowds and enjoy the majestic atmosphere in peace, visit Chambord right at opening time in the morning. For an iconic photo of the entire château, the view from the opposite bank of the River Cosson is recommended, especially at sunrise or in the early evening hours.

The Château de Chenonceau, often called the “Château des Dames,” is an architectural jewel of the Renaissance that elegantly spans the River Cher. Its unique location on bridge arches makes it one of the most picturesque châteaux in the Loire Valley. The château's history is closely intertwined with influential women like Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de' Medici, who significantly shaped and expanded it. Inside, you'll discover an impressive collection of furniture, tapestries, and artworks from various epochs, offering deep insights into courtly life. Particularly worth seeing are the long gallery spanning the river and the artfully landscaped gardens, which invite visitors to stroll and offer diverse perspectives of the structure. Our Tip: To avoid the largest crowds, plan your visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon. For the classic postcard motif of the château over the water, the view from the opposite river bank or from the gardens is ideal.

The Gardens of Villandry in Centre-Val de Loire are an outstanding example of French Renaissance garden art. They were meticulously restored in the early 20th century by Joachim Carvallo and his wife Ann Coleman, following historical models, and are today a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will find six different gardens here, spread across several terraces, each with its own theme.Expect precise geometric forms, accurately clipped boxwood hedges, and an impressive variety of flowers, herbs, and even vegetables, all ornamentally arranged. The Ornamental Garden symbolizes love in four facets, while the Water Garden offers peace and contemplation. The Ornamental Vegetable Garden is particularly colorful and changes its appearance with the seasons.For the best overall view of the gardens, we recommend climbing to the upper terraces of the château. The morning hours are ideal for exploring the gardens in peace and avoiding the crowds. In spring, you will experience the full floral splendor, while autumn, with its changing colors in the vegetable garden, is also appealing.

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979 and is considered one of the masterpieces of French High Gothic. After a fire in 1194, it was rebuilt in just a few decades. Parts of the west facade, including the Royal Portal, still date from the 12th-century predecessor building. A large portion of the medieval stained-glass windows has been preserved, especially famous for its deep Chartres blue. In a chapel in the ambulatory, the 'Sancta Camisa' is kept, a cloth traditionally believed to have belonged to the Virgin Mary, making Chartres a pilgrimage site. The floor labyrinth in the nave is usually covered with chairs and is generally cleared only on Fridays during the warmer half of the year. Our tip: Come in the morning or late afternoon when the light shifts through the windows and fewer groups are around.

Château de Chambord, a masterpiece of the French Renaissance, was built by King Franz I from 1519 as a hunting lodge. It was only temporarily inhabited. The construction blends the basic form of a French castle with towers and bastions with Italian-influenced Renaissance styles.Inside stands the double-helix staircase, whose design is often associated with Leonardo da Vinci. Two people can ascend and descend it simultaneously without crossing paths. From the rooftop terrace, you look out over the park and among the chimneys and lanterns of the roofscape. The walled castle park covers around 5,400 hectares and is considered the largest enclosed forest park in Europe.Our tip: Arrive right at opening time in the morning or in the late afternoon, when it's less crowded. A good photo of the northwest facade can be taken from the opposite bank of the Cosson.

Das Château de Chenonceau, oft als "Schloss der Damen" bezeichnet, ist ein architektonisches Juwel im Loiretal, das sich elegant über den Fluss Cher spannt. Seine Geschichte ist untrennbar mit einflussreichen Frauen wie Diane de Poitiers und Katharina von Medici verbunden, die das Schloss maßgeblich prägten und erweiterten. Du wirst die prunkvoll eingerichteten Räume erkunden, die eine reiche Sammlung von Kunstwerken, Wandteppichen und historischen Möbeln beherbergen und dir einen tiefen Einblick in das Leben am französischen Hof geben. Besonders beeindruckend ist die lange Galerie, die sich über den Fluss erstreckt und einst für Feste genutzt wurde. Die kunstvoll gestalteten Gärten, darunter der Garten von Diane de Poitiers und der von Katharina von Medici, laden zu ausgedehnten Spaziergängen ein und bieten malerische Ausblicke auf das Schloss. Unser Tipp: Um die Menschenmassen zu vermeiden und die Ruhe des Ortes zu genießen, plane deinen Besuch idealerweise direkt zur Öffnung am Morgen oder am späten Nachmittag. Für das ikonische Foto der Flussfassade empfiehlt sich ein Spaziergang entlang des Ufers des Cher, etwas abseits der Hauptwege.