Chateaux of Loire Valley, France

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City of Orleans 

Mon Mari and moi rented a car Friday evening (Oct 25th) and drove to Orleans to start out trip of the castles of the loire valley.

After checking into the hotel we walked around the hotel and found this magnificent cathedral. This is Cathédrale Sainte-Croix d'Orléans. Next day we went into the cathedral and walked around the place.

    

The streets of Orlean are beautiful. The interiors of this cathederal are majestic.


Chateau 1- Chateau De Chambord

Built by Francis 1 to show off his wealth and power to his archenemy the Holy Roman emperor at the time, Charles V of Spain. This is the largest of the castles we visited. This castle is breathtaking in its splendor and the beauty.

Chateau 2 - Chateau Du Royal Amboise

We spent the night in Amboise. I could not get a good picture of this castle because it is in the city. We had dinner and sampled some good treats at the biscuiterie here. And we strolled through narrow streets of the small town.

A place of residence for French kings from the 15th to the 19th centuries, its story is linked to the history of France. This royal château is the expression of French luxury. Numerous literary figures and artists were invited here.  Leonardo da Vinci died here and his tomb is preserved at this château.

(Info credit to https://www.chateau-amboise.com/en/ )

 

Chateau 3 - Chenonceneau

This is a smaller castle but very beautiful.This is also known as the royal castle for the women of the royal family. This was built by Henry III for his mistress Diane de Poitiers, which was finally taken over by Catherine De Medici. (Whenever you hear the story of the queens of France, its somewhat strange to hear over and over that the primary job of the queen was to bear children.) I love the moats around it and the gardens. The gardens are beautifully maintained even now.

Catherine de' Medici was best known for being the queen consort of Henry II of France (1547–59) and Regent of France. She is also known for her involvement in the Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Day (1572)—part of the Catholic–Huguenot wars (Wars of Religion; 1562–98)—and for being mother to three kings of France.

(info credit https://www.britannica.com/biography/Catherine-de-Medici)

Chateau 4 - Château Royal de Blois

We stopped by this castle on our way back to Fontainebleau. We could not get many pictures of this chateau. We also stopped by a Saint Nicholas Cathedral made in Gothic architecture at the foot of the chateau.

This is the castle where Catherine de Medici’s children grew up and she died here. Info credit https://www.bloischambord.com/carnet-d-ambiances/les-500-ans-de-renaissances/blois-catherine-de-medicis)
It was a great weekend trip. There is insurmountable French history in these chateaux. I find it very hard to remember everything.

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