Loire Valley

The Châteaux of the Loire Valley are part of the architectural heritage of the historic towns of Amboise, Angers, Blois, Chinon, Nantes, Orléans, Saumur, and Tours along the Loire River in France. They illustrate the ideals of the Renaissance and the Age of the Enlightenment on French thought and design. By the middle of the 16th century, King Francois I had shifted the center of power in France from the Loire back to the ancient capital of Paris followed by Louis XIV. With them went the great architects, but the Loire Valley continued to be the place where most of the French royalty preferred to spend the bulk of their time. The royalty and the wealthy bourgeoisie continued to renovate existing châteaux or build lavish new ones as their summer residence in the Loire.