Chateaux of the Loire Valley

This is the first of a selection of sites to visit during your tour of the Loire Valley. Chenonceau chateau - known as the ladies' chateau. It was given to Diane de Poitiers, mistress of King Henry II, and taken away from her on his death by his widow Catherine de Medici. A beautiful design and the only chateau built over the river Loire.

Fontevraud Abbey

The Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, an abbey run by an Abbess not an Abbot, was the last place where Eleanor of Aquitaine lived. She is the only woman to have been both Queen of France and Queen of England. An amazing woman - also the mother of Richard the Lionheart, both of whom are buried here.

Chateau de la Bourdaisiere

These formal gardens lead from the forest area to this beautiful chateau in the Loire valley. There is a gate between the gardens and forest which was designed by Leonardo da Vinci while he was living out his last days at his chateau in Amboise. The delightful chateau de la Bourdaisiere has some unusual vegetable and herb gardens with over 300 species of tomatoes and a superb dahlia collection. One of many chateaux to visit in the Loire valley

If you would like to visit some of the many chateaux in the Loire valley, check our selection of cycling tours, luxury barge tours, and our own small group tour of this region