Southwest of Paris, on a stretch of road about 100km long, by the River Loire, are the sites of some of the best known chateaux of France. This area is the cradle of the French nation. The area is bounded by three major cathedrals – Chartres, Orleans and Tours. Chartres cathedral is one of the early Gothic cathedral is known for its stained glass windows. Orleans is the city of Joan of Arc, who is also referred to as the Maiden of Orleans. It was in Blois that she assembled an army to rescue the city of Orleans and therefore France, from the siege by the English in 1429. The area is the sites of no less than 4 royal chateaux – Blois, Chambord, Amboise and Chanonceau. In the mid-15C, France was ruled by powerful dukedoms. It is in Chateau of Blois, where the Francis I, the King of France re-asserted the absolute power of the French monarch and some time held his court there. Chateau de Chambord was the equivalent of the palace of Versailles in the time of Francis I. The chateau was used as backdrop of a number of Hollywood movies. Chateau d’Amboise was also a royal residence. It was here the Leonardo de Vinci came to spend his last years as guest of the King of France. He actually lived in a nearby house connected to the Chateau. The prettiest and the most feminine of all chateau, the Chateau de Chenonceau is situated here. It was here that Queen Catherine de Medici lived and made it as her residence. Lastly Tours, where the Tours cathedral is, was the city that saw the massacre of Catholic and Protestant, as they fought each others for power, in the religious wars. Today, it is an historical city full of beautiful old houses and nice cafes, with most tourist unaware of the blood that once flowed in streets.

1. Loire Valley, France
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free for non-commercial and personal use. First created 11 Mar 2012. Version 1.0 - 16 Mar 2011. Jerry Tse. London.

2. Paris

3. Chartres Cathedral

4. Chartres Cathedral

5. Chartres Cathedral

6. Chateau de Sully

7. Orleans Cathedral

8. Orleans Cathedral

9. Orleans Cathedral

10. Paris

11. Chateau de Chambord

12. Chateau de Chambord
Central tower.

13. Chateau de Chambord

14. Chateau de Chambord
Central staircase.

15. Chateau de Chambord, The Royal Bedroom.

16. Chateau de Chambord

17. Chateau de Blois

18. Chateau de Blois

19. Chateau de Blois

20. Chateau de Blois

21. Chateau de Blois

22. Chateau de Blois, Henri III bedroom

23. Chateau de Blois, State Chamber

24. Chateau de Blois, Henri III bedroom

25. Chateau de Blois

26. Chateau de Cheverny

27. Chateau de Cheverny

28. Paris

29. Chateau de Chaumont

30. Chateau de Chaumont

31. Chateau de d’Amboise

32. Chateau de Chenonceau

33. Chateau de Chenonceau

34. Chateau de Chenonceau

35. Chateau de Chenonceau, bedroom of Catherine de Medici

36. Chateau de Chenonceau

37. Chateau de Chenonceau,
the Great Gallery

38. Chateau de Chenonceau

39. Chateau de d’Amboise

40. Chateau de d’Amboise

41. Chateau de d’Amboise,
Chapel of St Hubert
Leonardo de Vinci is said to
be buried in the chapel.

42. Chateau de d’Amboise,
Chapel of St Hubert

43. Chateau de d’Amboise,
Chapel of St Hubert

44. Chateau de d’Amboise

45. Chateau de d’Amboise
The round tower houses a spiral ramp for knights on horses.

46. Paris

47. Tours Cathedral

48. Tours
Cathedral

49. Chateau de Usse

50. Chateau de Usse

51. Chateau d’ Angers

52. Chateau d’ Angers

53. Paris

54. Chateau de Chambord
The End
All rights reserved. Rights belong to their respective
owners. Available free for non-commercial and personal
Music – Paul Mauriat – L’Amour Est Bleu
use.