This gorgeous and iconic castle’s history is as interesting as this castle is beautiful. It was built on the River Cher on the site of an old mill a short time in the 11th century. However, the castle did not take its present shape until King Henry II gave the castle to his mistress Diane de Poitiers in 1547. It was Diane de Poitiers that built the arched viaduct over the river and had the immense and imposing gardens built. Upon Henry II’s death, his wife, Catherine de Medici, seized the castle from Poitiers and made Chenonceau her own favorite Loire Valley residence. It was Medici who finished the grand gallery over the bridge across the river, which Chenonceau is known for today. The castle and its extensive gardens are open to the public and after Versailles, it is the most visited chateau in France.
Chateau de Chambord
This huge castle is one of the Loire’s most recognizable due to its uniqe French Renaissance architecture that blends usual medieval forms with classic Italian structures. The winery was built by King Francois I to serve as a hunting lodge, who maintained his royal residences in nearby Chateau d’Amboise and Bhateau de Blois. Perhaps most legendary in this castle is the unique and double helix staircase, which is rumored to have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci and the elaborately decorated roof line, which Froncois I wanted to look like the skyline of Constantinople
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