Oct
31
2009
The Loire Valley in France is a spectacular destination for family holidays. There are many historic castles to see, so it can be difficult to decide what to do before it's too big for the naked children. Each of the Loire castles listed below have their special appeal.
I would highly recommend Castle Close Luc and its magnificent park and working models from over 40 impressive creations of Leonardo Da Vinci. Chateau de Chaumont worth a visit in the summer months for garden festival alone. Many gardens are highly interactive and highly sensory designed to capture the imagination of children and adults.
Chenonceau Castle architecture is impressive and a duty. Not a corn for kids to get lost in an instant. Cheverney Castle offers spectacular furniture and a pack of dogs work. Chateau de Chambord is the largest of the castles of the Loire and you can rent bicycles and pedal to the needs of children more attractive. Chateau de Blois is architecturally interesting because it's like 4 castles at once. Has the added advantage of being located opposite the House of Magic, magic of a museum in honor of Robert Houdin who was inspired by Houdini. Kids love the presentations and simulations and the magic show is very entertaining.
Château de Blois (visit at least 2-3 hours) Hours-9 :00-6: 00-Cost $ 6. 00 includes a booklet in English. You can book a free guided tour, even available in English. This castle overlooks the town of Blois and was the seat of royalty for over 400 years, Charles VIII and Francis I. parts of the building consists of 4 wings, each with a different architectural style joined by a large central courtyard, in the 10th century.
Include interior design and luxurious flats vintage prints with motifs of lily. One of the highlights is a spiral staircase outside the Renaissance designed by Leonardo da Vinci. In summer, have a sound and light show at night and on Wednesday it was in English.
Château de Chenonceau (visit at least 2. 5 hours) Hours-9 :00-7: 00 Cost-$ 8. 00 includes a booklet in English. This castle is one of the most striking of the valley of the Loire castles. It was built for Diane de Poitiers, the mistress of King Henry II. In 1559, when the king died with his wife, Catherine de Medici, Diane forced into exile (the castle of Chaumont smaller).
After Catherine had moved to the beautiful gallery added, which is 180 feet long, 18 feet wide, with 18 windows and arches that spans the River Cher. Originally used as a ballroom, and the First World War, became a hospital for wounded soldiers and used to fish through the windows. During World War II there was no way to escape the castle was sitting in an occupied territory, but the door at the end of the gallery open to the free zone.
The kitchen is very popular among children. Today, the gallery presents art exhibitions. You should also note is the tower of the marks of the two French gardens (each name of the two ladies who ruled the house), XVI century farm labor and the florist.
Château d'Amboise (minimum 1 visit. 5 hours) Hours-9 :00-6: 30 Cost-$ 7. 00 includes a booklet in English. The towers of the castle of the city and offers a mix of architectural styles of the 17th century, including classics and 16th-century Gothic. Six rois de France vécu ici, y compris le François 1er, a tunnel souterrain qui avait construit à la maison de Leonardo da Vinci, situé à proximité. Use of this passage, you can visit without mixing with the commoners. In the 15th century, this castle was 4 times its current size, but has been reduced by war and neglect.
It is interesting to combine a trip to Chateau Clos Luce with a visit to the castle of Amboise, where they are close.
Chateau de Chambord (visit at least 2. 5 hours) Hours-9 :00-5: 45 Cost-$ 7. 00 for entry and $ 4. 00 for an audio guide. Chambord was commissioned by the young (25) King Francis in 1519 to help establish their power and to feed his ego. The building we see today was completed in 1685, by far the largest castle in the Loire. The style is a combination of traditional French and Italian Renaissance, with a variety of towers and turrets.
Only the facade is 470 feet wide and more than 168 feet (18 floors), with 440 rooms and 365 chimneys. The culmination of this castle is the double-helix staircase that serves as a hub for the entire building, and is believed to have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci.
Originally built as a meeting place for hunting and later used for royal festivities, which is now surrounded by a wall of 19 miles that includes the largest park of forests in Europe. During its 500 year history, was only used as a residence for 20 of those years. If you have time to lose, you can rent boats and bicycles for exploring the park. It is 2 hours of light and sound at night at dusk on weekends from mid April to June and September, the nights in July and August
Castillo Ussé (minimum 1. 5 hours) Hours-9 :00-6: 30 Cost-$ 8. 00 includes the brochure in English. This fairytale castle with turrets many was the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Construction began in 1455 on the foundations of a 11th century castle, and amends the following took place in the 16th and 17th centuries. The castle belonged to the family of Blacas since the 18th century and the family continues to occupy a wing. The reasons are the trees that are centuries old and a cedar that was given to the family in 1808.
There is a chapel in 1528, with a sparkling white interior made of local stone, and a garage with vintage cars and a basket of transport. Inside the castle is decorated with antiques from the 18th century. Finally, you can climb the tower around to see the wax figures depicting characters in Sleeping Beauty. If you are traveling with small children, you probably love scenes from fairy tales in the round tower represented by wax models.
Château de Cheverny (minimum visit 1. 5 hours) Hours-9 :15-6: 45-Cost $ 6. 00, includes manual in English. This castle was built in 1634 and was owned and occupied by the same family since then. Today family members occupy the third floor. This castle has the best furniture in the Loire Valley castles open to the public because the family that owned Cheverny was very popular with locals and, consequently, the castle has not been stripped of their treasures during the French Revolution.
The current procedure is the most sumptuous and complete in the Loire Valley. This castle was built on hunting and hunting palace still take place in the field. You can visit the seventies and the dogs in their kennels, feed or watch every day at 5:00 PM. The trophy room forests proudly displays over 2,000 animals.
Chateau de Chaumont (the visit at least 1 hour and 2 hours for a garden festival) Hours-9 :30-5: 30, allow 1 hour for your visit costs $ 6. 00 includes a booklet in English. Located between Amboise and Blois Castle is located above the Loire and the stunning views. His offering was for strategic reasons, since it was built as a fortress castle in 1465. He later became a home for royalty, just rich.
The most famous resident was that of Diane de Poitiers, the former mistress of King Henry II, who has lived in exile here after Catherine de Medici called Château de Chenonceau, when King Henry II died.
Today, the interior represents the luxury of the rich who lived here until 1930, when the stock market crash caused the last owner to sell the property to the government. Of particular interest are the systems developed.
Château d'Azay-le-Rideau (visit at least 1. 5 hours) Hours-9 :30-6: 00-Cost $ 6. 00 for entry and $ 4. 00 for an audio guide. This castle is smaller than most of the others mentioned here, but even more beautiful to him. Built in 1515, is a wonderful example of early Renaissance.
In high season there are often sound and light show at night in the castle. It is best to visit the castle at the end of the evening in summer to enjoy the sound and lights at night.
Note that most of the castles have fewer hours in low and mid-season and may even be closed for lunch during this time. By contrast, in late July and August there are usually extended hours.