Le Monarque

Price: €18 (public price: €19) Its arches gracefully span the Cher. Cherished by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis, Chenonceau remains the most visited château in France after Versailles. Wonderfully furnished (ah, its kitchens!), this 16th century château can be visited with an iPod. You'll fall under the spell of the gardens planted on either side of the keep... and the delightful village, whose name is spelt with an ‘x’!

Price: €21 Chambord, a symbol of French Renaissance throughout Europe and the world. Just 2 hours from Paris, the Loire Valley’s largest château stands within Europe’s largest fenced park. The Domain, surrounded with a 32-km wall, covers 13500 acres. Listed as a historical monument since 1840, it has been also a World Heritage site since 1981. Do not miss : the double-spiral staircase, which may have been inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, the viewpoint from the rooftop, the sculpted ceilings on 2nd floor, the collections (over 4500 paintings, tapestries, furniture and works of art), the music festival in July, the exhibitions, the horse show, the roar of the stags or the local wildlife.

Price: €16.30 (retail price: €17.30) Imagine a palace delicately perched above the Loire, and picture gardens suspended between heaven and earth... It’s no surprise that Amboise was one of the favorite sites of the kings of France as they transformed their country during the Renaissance. Charles VIII and Francis I, Leonardo da Vinci, and the iconic Queen Anne of Brittany are familiar figures here. Even today, the view from the castle’s balconies is breathtaking! With a 360° view, you’ll discover landscapes listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside, you can also explore the monument’s history through augmented reality using the HistoPad (included with your admission ticket). This nature-filled site, a haven of peace for birds, is an LPO sanctuary.