Loire Castles in a Small Group: Amboise, Chenonceau, Chambord Tour from Paris

Be amazed by the Chambord Castle which, as legend has it, was designed by Leonardo Da Vinci himself when he was residing in Amboise.

The construction of the marvelous Chambord chateau began under Francois I in 1519 and was not completed until much later by Henri II, Charles IX and Henri III. Around 2,000 men worked on the construction during Francois I's time. Though this castle went through many owners, nobody actually made this place a permanent resident. Francois I himself lived in this place for 6 months. It was mainly used by the kings for retreats or hunting activities.

Amboise, sometimes called The Cradle of the Renaissance, is one of the first truly "royal" residences of its kind. The chateau was built during the 15th and the 16th centuries on the orders of Charles VIII, Louis XII and François.

The Ladies Castle, or Chenonceau, is located on the Cher river and was built in 1513. Thomas Bohier bought the castle before it became crown property. Henri II offered this castle to his favorite, Diane de Poitiers. She then decided to have a bridge built, linking the castle to the right bank of the river. Following the death of Henri II, Catherine de Medicis took over the ruling and forced Diane de Poitiers to return the chateau Chenonceau for the Crown.