The history of the Loire Valley castles

Château de Chambord was built from 1519 onwards at the request of King Francis I, on the site of an earlier medieval fortress. A masterpiece of the French Renaissance, the château combines elements of medieval architecture with influences from the Italian Renaissance. Its imposing central keep is laid out according to a Greek-cross plan. Construction continued for several decades, including after the death of Francis I in 1547.

Château du Clos Lucé was built from 1471 onwards and acquired by King Charles VIII in 1490. In 1516, Leonardo da Vinci moved there at the invitation of Francis I. The artist is believed to have brought several of his works with him to France, including the Mona Lisa. Leonardo spent the final three years of his life at Clos Lucé and died there on 2 May 1519.

Château de Villandry was built for Jean Le Breton, Secretary of Finance to Francis I, and completed around 1536. The new Renaissance château retained part of the former medieval fortress, including its keep. In 1906, Joachim Carvallo and Ann Coleman purchased the estate and began restoring it. Today, Villandry is particularly renowned for its gardens, which have been awarded the French “Jardin remarquable” label.

Known as the “Ladies’ Château”, Château de Chenonceau owes much of its history to the women who contributed to its construction, transformation and preservation. The Renaissance château was built in the early 16th century by Thomas Bohier and his wife, Katherine Briçonnet. After becoming Crown property under Francis I, it was later given by Henry II to Diane de Poitiers, who commissioned the bridge spanning the River Cher. Catherine de’ Medici subsequently had the château’s famous gallery built over this bridge, creating the distinctive silhouette for which Chenonceau is known today.

Chambord was built from 1519 onwards at the request of Francis I, on the site of an earlier medieval fortress.
Leonardo da Vinci lived at Clos Lucé from 1516 until his death on 2 May 1519.
Villandry was completed around 1536 and is now particularly famous for its remarkable Renaissance-style gardens.
Chenonceau is known as the “Ladies’ Château” because of the many influential women who shaped its history.