Château de Selles sur Cher - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

The Chateau at Valencay, built-in 1540 by Jacques d’Estampes to show of his newfound wealth, is worth a visit. its style bears heavy comparisons with the best of the Loire Valley Renaissance chateaux and as such it is normally included in many of the Chateaux tour packages. It was fully furnished, and also has magnificent and beautiful gardens and a landscaped informal park. This castle was praised as "one of the most beautiful on earth" by George Sand.

A beautiful zoo which was ranked among the 10 best zoos in the world. It has the greatest diversity of wildlife in France, around 8,000 animals including two giant pandas in 40 hectares of land. It has been the first zoo in France to present leucistic big cats, white tigers and white lions. There is also a hotel inside the zoo which provides accommodation facilities and also it has the largest bird collection too. The Zoo is located in the Loir-et-Cher department, in the heart of France.

Originally an 11th-century structure, it was entirely rebuilt at the end of the 15th century, with only the large, square keep remaining original. Fougères is distinguished from other great châteaux by a more sober and robust architecture, mixing the styles of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The walls of the château of Fougères-sur-Bièvre are made from the hard limestone of Beauce. The softer and whiter tufa limestone, from the Cher valley, was used for the more decorative elements.

The smallest chateau in the Loire which was around 600 years old and is still inhabited by its owners. The 12-hectare land offers a nice garden as well as a gift shop on-site, selling regional and organic products. Guests can enjoy a free guided visit of the castle upon request and the park has a recycling exhibition. It was classified as a historical monument and the smallest châteaux in the Loire valley.

A beautiful castle which was the remains of ancient French architecture. Built between the years of 1604 and 1634, and changed little since, the castle presents an immaculate picture of symmetry, peace, and the aristocratic good life. The interior reflects a living history of the generations of the family and it is still owned by descendants of the original builders. There is also a beautiful garden around this place and is one of the visitors paradise.

An elegant, 18th-century Italian-style residence is reminiscent of the Petit Trianon at the Palace of Versailles. It was located in the village of Bouges-le-Château in the heart of the Berry. The 80-hectare garden, lake, and cutting flower garden increase the beautify of this \chetau. The castle is listed in monument historique and the gardens are listed by the Ministry of Culture as among the Notable Gardens of France. The château and gardens are open to the public.