51 Iconic Buildings to Explore in Centre-Val de Loire

A beautiful medieval castle which was constructed in the 9th century. Built some 500 meters above the Indre River. Designed and occupied by Henry II of England and his son, Richard the Lionheart during the 12th century. The building is an example of the military architecture of the Norman period. One of the main examples of French architecture and is also one of the nice tourist locations in this area. In 1985 it was converted into a museum, and has one of the most extensive collections of med

Château de Maintenon is better known as the residence of Madame de Maintenon, Louis XIV's wife. There are a beautiful garden and an aqueduct and also there is a small church, Saint-Nicolas. The castle has been classified as a Monument Historique since 1944 by the French Ministry of Culture. One of the nice examples of the French architecture and also a nice place to hang out.

A Majestic chateau which was associated with Madame de Pompadour situated on the bank of the Loire at Menars. One of the notable architectures in this area and is renowned for its history. It also has a beautiful garden which surrounds this building and is the main tourist attraction in this area.

A majestic episcopal palace and a former castle located in the commune of Meung-sur-Loire, France which has been listed in the monument historique in 1988. It was built and destroyed several times. The oldest still existing parts date from the 12th century and were built by Manassès de Seignelay. It was built in the Neoclassical style, with sculpture by Delaistre.

One of the majestic castle which was located in the Loire Valley which was richly furnished and open for a free narrated visit. The Veneur museum has 25 rooms dedicated to art, hunting, and horses, and a newly restored kitchen and also a forest walk with its interactive terminals allow visitors to discover the fauna and flora of our woodlands are the main features of this area. Originally a medieval fortress, the castle was altered by the lords of Prie and Buzançais. The postern was constructed

The Château de Montrésor is a beautiful medieval castle with a Renaissance mansion built in the grounds which was located in the French village of Montrésor. They had a fine residence built within the fortress walls and also founded the collegiate church. It became a charming peacetime residence surrounded by the original feudal defense system. The park of the Château de Montrésor and let yourself be charmed by the softness and beauty of this place overlooking the valley of the Indrois.

The Château de Saché is a writer's house museum located in a home built from the converted remains of a feudal castle which was Located in Saché. it is where French writer Honoré de Balzac wrote many of his novels in the series La Comédie Humaine in which he attempted to reflect every aspect of French society at that time. Since 1951, the château has been open as an evocative museum dedicated to Balzac.

A beautiful chateau which was located in the commune of Selles-sur-Cher which was privately owned and is a designated historical monument of France. Here you can enjoy the historical heritage and wine tradition of France and there is a 2-hectare park located surrounding this Chateau. It was now a tourist attraction and you can find out the architectural intelligence of France from here.

The château of Talcy, 25 km from Blois, features sharp, pointed rooftops that rise distinctively from the wheat fields of Beauce which was built in the 16th century and is an example of the unique interior completely built with original furniture from the 18th century, along with its conservatory orchard. This is a place which is most loved by poets and it is now a national public institution, opens to public.

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.

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.

The Valmer Castle is a castle of the Renaissance erected in the xvi th century xviii th century near the village of Chançay in Indre-et-Loire. Its Renaissance Italian-style terraced gardens, listed as historical monuments since 1930 1 , were recognized as a “ Remarkable Garden ” by the Ministry of Culture in 2004. The castle has been registered as a historical monument since 1930.

The Chateau of Villandry is the last of the great chateaux of the Loire built during the Renaissance in the Loire Valley. With its unique furnishings, décor and atmosphere, the Château de Villandry is a living testimony of French heritage. Villandry and its gardens are probably one of the most family orientated chateau within the Loire Valley in that it has a children’s maze and a beautiful play area and a beautiful garden.

The Château was built by Jean le Breton was the Lord of Villandry and of Villesavin, on the position of an old manor house. The Château was built by the same French and Italian master builders and workmen who built the great Royal Palaces and it has remained for four centuries, almost perfectly untouched. The interior of the manor contains refined furnishings and has a collection of tin objects. The castle also hosts several museums, including a wedding museum presenting an exceptionally rich co

A beautiful castle which was Leonardo da Vinci's last residence. The site of the manor house dates back to the 12th century when it was surrounded by fortifications of which only the watchtower remains. The house as it is today, a good example of Renaissance art using both brick and the local tufa stone. Today it is a historical monument and is also a well-known museum about Leonardo da Vinci's life, work and memory.

A genuine medieval castle at the heart of a UNESCO world heritage site, and also botanical arts in a 6ha Garden with contemporary sculptures and also a multi-cuisine restaurant is here. This building was given to captain Tolmere as a reward for his victories in the Picrocholean Wars. It has been classified as a Monument Historique since 1918 by the French Ministry of Culture.

The Château de la Ferté-Saint-Aubin is a private 17th-century manor house with moats and a river. Its picturesque grounds are full of waterways, meadows, and woodlands. Situated in the heart of Sologne. The vast 40-hectare park features the reconstruction of a 1930s train station, an enchanted island for the children, and a wildlife park.

A place of residence for French kings from the 15th to the 19th centuries. It is one of the examples of the French style luxury architecture. Numerous men and women of letters and European artists stayed at Amboise on the sovereigns’ invitation. It has been recognized as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture since 1840. It is situated at an elevation of 81 meters.

The Château de Blois is one of the rare monuments offering visitors a comprehensive view of French architecture from the Middle Ages through the classical epoch. It has been listed since 1945 as a historic monument. The medieval castle became a royal residence and the political capital of the kingdom under Louis XII. This place has so many histories to say. The chateau is now used as a public museum that has a lot of collections that pave light to ancient history.

A majestic castle and garden which was located in the town of Châteaudun which was built in the 12th century. The castle is renowned for its Gallery of portraits decorated in the 17th century with 327 portraits of famous people. One of the architectural wonders which were built on the edge of the Russy Forest.