# The most beautiful Loire Valley châteaux

The Loire Valley châteaux that appear in every selection: Renaissance architecture, gardens and royal history.

- 12 votes · 14 items
- Oct 4, 2022 · madamevalise
- https://even.best/en/l/488/the-most-beautiful-loire-valley-chateaux

## Top 10

1. **Château de Chenonceau** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — The 'Ladies' Château', built on arches spanning the Cher. <https://www.chenonceau.com/>
2. **Château de Chambord** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — The largest Loire château, with its double-helix staircase; around a million visitors a year. <https://www.chambord.org/>
3. **Royal Château of Amboise** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Royal residence where Leonardo da Vinci is buried, in the Saint-Hubert chapel.
4. **Château de Villandry** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Famous for its Renaissance gardens, including the ornamental kitchen garden. <https://www.chateauvillandry.fr/>
5. **Royal Château of Blois** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Four wings from four eras around a courtyard, with the François I staircase.
6. **Château d'Azay-le-Rideau** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Renaissance gem that seems to float on the Indre.
7. **Château de Cheverny** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Furnished château still lived in, which inspired Hergé's Marlinspike Hall.
8. **Château d'Ussé** (0 · ▲1 ▼1) — Turreted château said to have inspired Perrault's Sleeping Beauty.
9. **Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Château that hosts the International Garden Festival every year.
10. **Château du Clos Lucé** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Leonardo da Vinci's last home in Amboise, with models of his inventions.
11. **Château de Saumur** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — White château overlooking the Loire, famous from the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry.
12. **Brissac Castle** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Seven-story Château d'Anjou, nicknamed "the giant of the Loire Valley", inhabited by the same family since 1502.
13. **Valencay Castle** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Renaissance castle of Indre, purchased by Talleyrand in 1803 on the orders of Napoleon.
14. **Château de Langeais** (-2 · ▲0 ▼2) — Medieval fortress with a rich collection of tapestries and furniture.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.