Luxury Villas

While there are plenty of things to enjoy in and around Paris, perhaps one of the best spots in the world for renting luxury villas is the spectacular Valley of the River Loire in France. Don’t expect an adrenaline-filled vacation if you’re headed for the Loire. Do expect, on the other hand, lots of leisurely, relaxed time, spent on biking, hiking or walking tours—whatever tickles your fancy along these lines is definitely to be enjoyed in this spectacular natural setting. If you’re more the sedentary type, you will definitely love basking in the warm sunlight and enjoying a yummy picnic basket or a tour of the wineries in the area. Whatever you do, though, you absolutely must visit some of the world-renowned castles which line both sides of the river. But when so many architecture and history gems are gathered in one place, how do you know which one to choose? Listed below, you will find the best castles on the valley of the River Loire.

Villandry Castle
The castle of Villandry will strike those who have visited Chambord from the first glance. Its impetuous, majestic design will be oddly familiar. If you fall in this category, you should know that the similarities are by no means accidental. As a matter of fact, the two castles were designed by the very same person—Jean Le Breton, a finance ministry under Francois I, author of many superb historic villas in France. The castle’s most striking feature is its beautiful and vast garden, a true example of the French style of gardening, that heavily relies on symmetry and visual orderliness. The castle was actually property of the Le Breton family until the early twentieth century, when it was purchased by Joachim Carvallo, who generously invested into restoring the castle to its former glory.

The Chenonceau Castle
When you think of castles, your imagination probably conjures up an image that is very similar to the daunting silhouette of the Chenonceau. It is often referred to as the most beautiful chateau in France and it is definitely one of the most popular. There are plenty of luxury villas to rent in the proximity of the Chenonceau and staying close-by will allow you to truly explore the beauty and history of this place. It was built in the mid-sixteenth century as a gift from King Henri II to his mistress Diane de Poitiers. It was the woman’s touch, though, who endowed the castle with its most famous features—the arched bridge across the river, as well as the beautifully terraced flower and vegetable gardens.

The Amboise Castle
If you think there is something distinctly military-like about the Amboise, you are not at all far off the mark. Like many villas in France dating from that very same period (the Early Renaissance, or the fifteenth century), the Amboise displays many features of the French Gothic style of architecture. However, as the fifteenth century drew to an end, Italian builders were brought in to further adorn the castle, and they covered it in Renaissance-style elements. Many French kings stayed here throughout the century, yet its most famous visitor ever is none other than all-round luminary Leonardo da Vinci.