The chimneys of Chateau de Chambord

Much has been made of the reinstatement of the classical gardens at Chateau de Chambord and they do look magnificent but our favourite part of the chateau has to be the rooftop with its hundreds of chimneys. 

Looking over the Loire river to Montsoreau

Looking over the Loire river towards Chateau de Montsoreau

Tuesday for towns - Barrou in Southern Touraine

Felt it was important to feature our home village here...Barrou in Southern Touraine where you will get a taste of the real France. As guests staying at 'Le Bourg' vacation rental perviously commented "The small village experience' was great and made us feel part of the landscape rather than just passing tourists."

You can read more about Barrou here.

Monday's Loire Valley Chateau -Chateau de Chambord

Today's Loire Valley chateau is the imposing Chateau de Chambord with its amazing rooftop and now with its reinstated formal gardens.

Photographs are courtesy of previous guests at our holiday homes who have experienced the Loire Valley's finest offerings.

You can see more here on our website

Last chance to see Christmas at Azay-Le-Rideau...and it's free!

Today is your last chance to see the chateau at Azay-le-Rideau dressed up for Christmas . As it is under the umbrella of  'Les Centre Monuments Nationaux' and it is the first Sunday of the month entrance is FREE!

Here are the other places in Centre-Val de Loire covered under the scheme. Not all are open all the year round so check the websites before heading out for a visit.

CHÂTEAU D'AZAY-LE-RIDEAU (37)

CHÂTEAU DE CHÂTEAUDUN (28)

CHÂTEAU DE BOUGES (36)

CHÂTEAU DE FOUGÈRES-SUR-BIÈVRE (41)

CHÂTEAU DE TALCY (41)

CLOÎTRE DE LA PSALETTE À TOURS (37)

MAISON DE GEORGE SAND À NOHANT (36)

PALAIS JACQUES COEUR À BOURGES (18)

TOWER AND CRYPT OF BOURGES CATHEDRAL (18)

TOWERS OF CHARTRES CATHEDRAL (28)

The evolution of Chateau de Chenonceau

Most of  the guests at our vacation rentals want to visit the wonderful Chateau de Chenonceau. They will certainly know the view of its arches spanning the river Cher but what they may not be aware of is how and when it transformed from what would have been a relatively small but perfectly formed renaissance chateau, much like the chateau  at Azay-le-Rideau (below) to the magnificent example we see today.

In 1512 Thomas Bohier had bought a small castle which sat on the site and had it raised,leaving only the tower that now stands adrift from the main building. He left the building of its replacement to his wife Catherine Briconnet who had the small renaissance chateau built to replace it. It was sadly given over to the crown years later to pay off the debts of her family. Francois I, the reigning monarch indulged his son, Henri (II) by giving him the castle, which, after he became king, he gave it to his mistress Diane de Poitier. It was she who had the bridge added to link to the opposite bank of the Cher.

After the death of the king his wife Catherine (de' Medici ) took revenge on his mistress by taking possession of Chenonceau and giving her the less desirable chateau at Chaumont-sur-Loire in exchange. It was the queen who made inspirational  decision to add the gallery and ballroom over the bridge leaving us the now iconic landmark we see today.