From the 14th to the 16th century, the French kings resided on the banks of the Loire, where it was quieter than in “rebellious” Paris. At the beginning of the Renaissance, there was a preference in this region for stately residences that would forever shape history and the landscape. Journalist Philippe Bourget traveled the Loire Valley and was captivated by the magnificent, yet more discreet, castles.
One day, I decided to explore the castles along the Loire in the summer. A chance to refresh the history learned long ago in school, a complex narrative with so many important dates and eras. Who lived where and when? What were the artistic preferences of the kings? What dramas, love affairs, and intrigues unfolded there?
A journey to the Loire Valley is synonymous with a journey into the past, to a time when the kings shaped France. A journey to (re)understand history. So far, so good — but which castles should one have seen? In the Loire, there are over a thousand manors, country houses, and castles. In 2000, UNESCO designated the Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes as a World Heritage Site. This spans 280 km from the east of Orléans to the west of Angers, characterized by an outstanding landscape, villages, and the most magnificent castles of the Loire. Let’s embark on a downstream exploration.
…
