The course
Day 1:
- Manoir Les Minimes
- Château d'Amboise
- Château du Clos Lucé
- Château de Chenonceau
- Optional:
Château de Gaillard
Day 2:
Detail of the course
Day 1:
Built on the ruins of an old feudal fortress which dominated the city and the Loire.
At the start of the Renaissance, this was one of the first royal residences.
An exceptional collection of furniture and one of the finest panoramas in Val de Loire.
http://www.chateau-amboise.com/fr/
Leonardo da Vinci lived out the last three years of his life in the Clos Lucé. This Manoir houses a collection of most of his inventions, made by IBM with materials from his time.
http://www.vinci-closluce.com/
The Château de Chenonceau, also known as Château des Dames was built on the Cher whose waters reflect the beauty of its unique Renaissance architecture. From 1547, Chenonceau was one of the preferred retreats of Diane de Poitiers, King Henry II of France’s mistress.
http://www.chenonceau.com/
Near the Château d'Amboise and the Clos Lucé, Château Gaillard was a royal property, it is one of the first Renaissance châteaux in France.
http://www.chateau-gaillard-amboise.fr/
Day 2:
The Château de Blois was the residence of 7 Kings and 10 Queens of France. It brings together four chateaux around a same courtyard, four eras, four summits of French architecture. One of the treasures of this chateau is its superb polygonal spiral staircase.
http://www.chateaudeblois.fr
This chateau was built at the behest of the young François I at the heart of Sologne and on the fringes of a forest. This is the largest chateau of the Loire. Its dimensions and scale are impressive: 440 rooms, 365 chimneys and 84 staircases including the double spiral staircase which remains without doubt its most striking architectural feature.
http://chambord.org
This chateau is typical of 17th century architecture. The original furniture remains, as does the authentic and refined charm of its interiors. It is home to many a treasure such as, for example, the 17th century Gobelins tapestry in the Salle d’Armes or the Boulle style Louis XIV era chest.
http://www.chateau-cheverny.fr/
An extra boost to the art of gardens and gains the interest of both the public by displaying new flower arrangements, new materials, new ideas and new approaches.
