To take it up to 6 I would include Loches and Candé.
The auberge next door to Montpoupon is open again btw, now run by members of a family of restaurateurs from Tours ie we are unlikely to see a repeat of the scandal that caused its closure the last time. It is a place that changes hands every few years though as far as I can see. Montpoupon chateau is not for the squeamish, with its hunting trophies everywhere, but as a record of the 19th century country sporting life it is excellent.
Rosemary Kneipp
February 23rd, 2015 at 11:08 am
The next on the list are Montreuil Bellay, Chinon, Angers and Loches. I haven’t visited Candé. We’ll have to do so. There is also Fonteyvaud l’Abbey and Clos Lucé. Not sure where to put them.
I’m pleased to hear the auberge next door is open. I’ll add it to the list.
What a great list of chateaux! I haven’t been to any of these, and I loved discovering them through your post. I love that Château de Villesavin was a “glorified work hut” – some hut 🙂 The wedding dress exhibit sounds lovely to see there! That last photo from Château de Beauregard is so pretty! The ceiling reminds me a bit of some of what I saw at Château de Cheverny. It always amazes me just how many chateaux are sprinkled throughout the Loire…
Rosemary Kneipp
February 24th, 2015 at 3:34 pm
We were very amused with the origin of Villesavin as well! I really liked the wedding dresses and the hundreds of globes, all different. The painting gallery and salle des grelots at Beauregard are really worth the visit but they need to follow the example of Montpoupon to make their other rooms more attractive. Also, photos are forbidden which I don’t understand. I didn’t know until I’d finished the visit that you couldn’t take them. The day we were there we were practically the only visitors. That is always a boon!
I haven’t seen any of the châteaux you describe here, Rosemary. Seems to me I’ll have to come back to the Loire Valley… There is so much more to discover there. We barely touched the tip of the iceberg on our first visit. Great pictures.
Rosemary Kneipp
February 27th, 2015 at 5:56 pm
Ah, you definitely have to come back – but when the weather’s better!
[…] Start by deciding which towns and châteaux you are interested in. I have written several posts that might help you particularly Ten Top Châteaux in the Loire Valley and Secret Châteaux of the Loire : Langais, Montsavin, Montpoupon and Beauregard. […]
[…] which isn’t exactly next door (over an hour away) but the countryside is lovely and takes us past Montpoupon Castle, Montrichard and Fougères Castle! We marvel at the fact that we are in close proximity to so many […]
I could be quite happy to wander your part of France for a long while. Beautiful shots, and so much history!
To take it up to 6 I would include Loches and Candé.
The auberge next door to Montpoupon is open again btw, now run by members of a family of restaurateurs from Tours ie we are unlikely to see a repeat of the scandal that caused its closure the last time. It is a place that changes hands every few years though as far as I can see. Montpoupon chateau is not for the squeamish, with its hunting trophies everywhere, but as a record of the 19th century country sporting life it is excellent.
The next on the list are Montreuil Bellay, Chinon, Angers and Loches. I haven’t visited Candé. We’ll have to do so. There is also Fonteyvaud l’Abbey and Clos Lucé. Not sure where to put them.
I’m pleased to hear the auberge next door is open. I’ll add it to the list.
What a great list of chateaux! I haven’t been to any of these, and I loved discovering them through your post. I love that Château de Villesavin was a “glorified work hut” – some hut 🙂 The wedding dress exhibit sounds lovely to see there! That last photo from Château de Beauregard is so pretty! The ceiling reminds me a bit of some of what I saw at Château de Cheverny. It always amazes me just how many chateaux are sprinkled throughout the Loire…
We were very amused with the origin of Villesavin as well! I really liked the wedding dresses and the hundreds of globes, all different. The painting gallery and salle des grelots at Beauregard are really worth the visit but they need to follow the example of Montpoupon to make their other rooms more attractive. Also, photos are forbidden which I don’t understand. I didn’t know until I’d finished the visit that you couldn’t take them. The day we were there we were practically the only visitors. That is always a boon!
I haven’t seen any of the châteaux you describe here, Rosemary. Seems to me I’ll have to come back to the Loire Valley… There is so much more to discover there. We barely touched the tip of the iceberg on our first visit. Great pictures.
Ah, you definitely have to come back – but when the weather’s better!
[…] Start by deciding which towns and châteaux you are interested in. I have written several posts that might help you particularly Ten Top Châteaux in the Loire Valley and Secret Châteaux of the Loire : Langais, Montsavin, Montpoupon and Beauregard. […]
[…] have always approached the castle of Montpoupon from the main road – already an impressive view as you can see from the photos below – […]
[…] which isn’t exactly next door (over an hour away) but the countryside is lovely and takes us past Montpoupon Castle, Montrichard and Fougères Castle! We marvel at the fact that we are in close proximity to so many […]