Loire Valley, France: A Trip to the Land of Fairytales

If you happen to be vacationing in Paris and can manage a trip out of the city, I highly recommend a trip through the Loire Valley.

The Loire Valley is an area about 2 hours outside of Paris that is both rich in vineyards and beautiful historic castles. Many are located within a few kilometres of each other, so you could see a lot with just a day trip (you can also book tours from Paris).

Some of the castles in the region are huge and majestic, while others are straight out of a fairytale. Some should not be underestimated either, just because they don't look that interesting at a glance. 

The tomb of Leonardo Da Vinci

One of my favourite stops on our trip was to Amboise castle. My aunt, who lives in France, had been to this region many times, but had never ventured to this castle, unaware of the "treasure" that we found within.

I think when most people think of Leonardo DaVinci, they think of an artist and inventor, a brilliant mind who understood the human body better than anyone at the time; probably better than most, even today. Born in 1452, he is known as the Italian painter of the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper. People often seem surprised to learn that Da Vinci did not die in Italy, nor is his body buried there.

Yes, my friends, I had to privilege to stand at the tomb of one of the most brilliant minds in history and pay my respects. For it is here, at Amboise castle, that he is buried.

Chapel of Saint-Hubert

Leonardo Da Vinci was also a scientist, mathematician and architect (with had many other talents). In 1516 he was commissioned to build a mechanical lion for Francis I and was given a home to live in (Clos Lucé) just outside the château's grounds. It was here that Da Vinci spent the last 3 years of his life, becoming a great friend of Francis I, who is said to have held Da Vinci in his arms as he died.

He was buried in the tiny Chapel of Saint-Hubert located within the walls of Château Amboise.

Château Chambord

The most majestic castle we saw on our trip through the Valley was Chambord. It is one of the most imposing representations of French Renaissance architecture and is the largest castle in the Loire Valley. It has an impressive 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces, and 84 staircases. Unbelievably, it was not even built as a primary residence, but rather as a hunting lodge for Francis I (mentioned above), whose primary residences were Amboise and Blois. There is also some speculation that the design of this castle was the creation of Leonardo Da Vinci.

It is hard to believe that a) such a building would be built as a hunting lodge and b) that it was actually an abandoned building for a time, before restoration took effect in the late 1700s. During WWI, this is where many treasured artifacts from the Louvre were stored, even though it was never designed to provide any sort of defence from enemies.

This castle has only been open to the public since 2007.

Château Chenonceau

My daughter's favourite stop was probably Château Chenonceau. This is certainly a castle out of a fairy tale. Just as you imagine in these stories, there is a long, tree-lined path leading up to perfectly manicured gardens that surround the castle's grounds. A moat surrounds the castle and a river runs through it. Yes, through it.

Although it was a much smaller castle, from my understanding it has probably been through the most turmoil.

The château is not really a château, but rather a manor house originally built sometime before the 11th century. Over the years it has been sold, torched, destroyed and rebuilt countless times. It also hosted the parties of legends and was the site of France's first-ever firework display.

River Cher running through Château Chenonceau

The gardens at Chenonceau are also worth seeing, with a huge plot best viewed from one of the castle's upper windows.

Down the foot path was my daughter's favourite part of the castle and grounds: a real hedge maze! She could have played in it all day. I have to admit even I was enamoured with this. What child (or adult), after seeing them in endless movies, wouldn't want to run around in one? I'm sure they exist all over, but this was the first time I'd ever seeing a real one. Imagine how long it takes to plant and then grow into an intricate design? I would have spent all day here if we'd had time.

Foot path leading to Château Chenonceau

Hedge maze at Château Chenonceau

The bottom line is, a trip through the Loire Valley is TOTALLY worth it. Every castle offers something different and has a different history behind it. Size and design range from small, fairytale-type manors to huge, intricately-designed structures. Even if you're not into castles, the drive between Paris and Tour will take you through small French villages, vineyards, windmill farms and wide open lavender fields. It is just stunning. Go. Enjoy.