Starting point: Car Rental in Paris
Chateaux Chambord
The royal Château de Chambord is one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world because of its very distinctive French Renaissance architecture which blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. The building, which was never completed, was constructed by King Francis I of France from 1519 – 1547. Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley; it was built to serve as a hunting lodge for Francis I, who maintained his royal residences at the châteaux of Blois and Amboise.
In 1792, in the wake of the French Revolution, some of the furnishings were sold and timber removed. For a time the building was left abandoned, though in the 19th century some attempts were made at restoration. During the Second World War, art works from the collections of the Louvre were moved to the Château de Chambord.
Chateaux Chenonceau
The Château de Chenonceau is a French château spanning the River Cher, near the small village of Chenonceaux. The estate was first mentioned in writing in the 11th century. The current château was built in 1514–1522 on the foundations of an old mill and was later extended to span the river. The bridge over the river was built from 1556-1559 and the gallery on the bridge was built from 1570–1576.
Chateaux Amboise
The royal Château at Amboisewas confiscated by the monarchy in the 15th century. It became a favoured royal residence and was extensively rebuilt. King Charles VIII died at the château in 1498 after hitting his head on a door lintel. The château fell into decline from the second half of the 16th century and the majority of the interior buildings were later demolished, but some survived and have been restored, along with the outer defensive circuit of towers and walls.
Eternal Horizon 