What to do and see in Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire: The Best Castles

A 19th century winemaking Chateau inspired by people who dare to live to the fullest… Chateau de Ligre is surrounded by a centenary of history encompassing royal personalities, nobility and wars. Our wines, our vines and our knowledge are the extension of the history of France and part of its proud heritage. Chateau de Ligre is located within the premier area of the Appelation d’Origine Controlee (AOC) Chinon, a small and touristic French town at the heart of the magical Loire Valley. Despite possessing over a hundred years of history, it was in 2014, when an epicurean arrived from the north of France with his family and some loyal friends to take over this family business, that Chateau de Ligre truly began to embrace the goal of producing the best wines on the market.

With the dawning of the Renaissance, the mighty medieval fortress of Amboise gave way to a royal residence, during the reigns of the Kings of France Charles VIII and François I. The Court, a large number of men and women of letters and European artists, stayed here on invitation from the sovereigns, one example being Leonardo da Vinci who lies here in peace in the Château’s Chapel.This place of high renown in the History of France boasts an exceptional collection of Gothic and Renaissance furniture illustrating the artistic finery of the first French Renaissance. After a visit of the Royal House and the impressive Cavalry Towers, the walk continues in the magnificent panoramic gardens overlooking the Loire river.

The Château of Azay-le-Rideau, masterpiece of the Renaissance. The Château of Azay-le-Rideau, built at the heart of Touraine under the patronage of François Ier, has all the charm of the Renaissance. Masterpiece of the 16th century architecture, it rises up on an island designed by the river Indre and is surrounded by a romantic 19th century park. The château has some prestigious historical decorations telling about its 4 centuries of history. It also has some sumptuous collections of items, tapestries and furniture. To be discovered : - On the ground floor : restoration of the 19th century decoration and atmosphere. - On the first floor : an immersion at the heart of the Renaissance, the great hall and its period furniture, as well as the restoration of a Renaissance chamber, whose walls are fully made of bullrushes braids. - The Pressoir (former press room), an interpretation center reachable by everyone in order to know more about the château. - The romantic park of 8ha with many points of view on the château and its water mirrors.

A monumental countryside villa surrounded by world-famous gardens, organized in the classic French Renaissance style.

In the royal city, you can visit the dungeons and a royal lodge.

Honore de Balzac was one of the great writers of the first half of the 19th century. Throughout his life, he remained faithful to his native soil, Touraine. From 1825 to 1848, he paid regular visits to Jean Margonne, a friend of his parents, at Chateau de Sache. There, far removed from the bustle of Parisian life and his financial worries, the writer found the silence and austerity that enabled him to work between twelve and sixteen hours a day. Le Pere Goriot, Louis Lambert, Cesar Birotteau and Illusions Perdues were all partly written there. Sache also served as a source of inspiration for Balzac, who set his novel Le Lys dans la Vallee in the idyllic surroundings of the Indre Valley.

Castle and Fairytale Gardens Le Rivau was constructed in the 15 century by Pierre de Beauvau, Great Chamberlain of Charles the 7th. It is also renown for having been visited by Joan of Arc on her way to Orleans to get some horses. This medieval private castle is animated by more than 380 art-objects. In the royal stables, an exhibit on Francis the First last king-knight is shown. Gem among the Loire Valley, Rivau Gardens are labbled 'Remarquable Gardens'. All around the year, discover our amazing flower collections of bulbs, iris, peonies, roses, lavender, dahlias, ornemental grasses and vegetables. Rivau gardens are Conservatory of Fragrant Roses and Conservatory of Vegetables that are used in our restaurant. The castle and gardens are suitable for the whole family, adults will be interested in botanic, history and contemporary art and kids will be transported in a fairytale like environnement.

At the end of a long tree lined allée, come and explore a family castle with a royal past. The kings Louis XI and XIII loved to come to hunt at the estate. Hunting here is till a living tradition. The castle (16th-18th century) has been inhabited by the same family since 1728. From the kitchen with its impressive copper utensils to sumptuous decorated staterooms with an exceptional suite of tapestries from the 17th, the visit of Champchevrier is an unforgettable outing between refined elegance and nature.