The Castles of the Loire, located in the magnificent Loire Valley region, in the northwest of France, represent an immense collection of architectural gems that date back, for the most part, to the XV and XVI century. This enchanting region, famous worldwide for its castles, is also appreciated for its rich history, romantic landscapes and excellent gastronomic tradition.

To help you discover this wonderful destination, we have prepared a special infographic, a map that will guide you among the most iconic of the Loire Castles and their hidden treasures. In this article you will also discover why this region should be on your wish list for your next cycling trip.

Loire Valley: a unique treasure

The Loire Valley region, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, preserves an exceptional cultural heritage and a extraordinary concentration of castles: over 3000, including royal castles, manors and noble residences, which are joined by churches and medieval villages. In short, an opportunity not to be missed to immerse oneself in beauty.

Even if visiting them all seems an impossible task for most, it's enough to know that each castle tells a unique story, dating back to the times when the region was the beating heart of royal power in France. The splendid noble residences and the imposing fortresses that are encountered in these parts perfectly reflect the medieval defensive needs combined with the Renaissance style, creating a unique context. Moving by bike from one castle to another, following the route of La Loire à Vélo, it is then possible to totally immerse oneself in the gentle river landscapes that frame the Loire, so dear to the kings of France, as well as in the immense forests that surround some castles, where the royals loved to go hunting.

The most beautiful Loire Castles - following the map

To plan your bike trip you can use our map, which will help you choose the castles to visit and the cities to stop in.

The map is divided into 4 areas, which highlight the 4 constituent provinces of the Val de Loire. The main castles are concentrated in Touraine, a region also loved for its gastronomy. The Anjou-Saumur is an important wine area: here you pedal between low vine rows and picturesque villages, while the first and last stretch respectively include the city of Orléans, ancient royal city and capital of the region, and the Loire estuary, with its fascinating natural landscapes and different ecosystems.

But let's now start our tour of the most beautiful Loire castles: we'll move on the map from east to west, follow us!

Château de Chambord

One of the jewels of the Loire Valley, the Chambord castle is located in the heart of a wide forest, which makes the arrival by bike really spectacular! Rather bare inside, it is worth visiting to appreciate its incredible architecture made up of fairytale lanterns and turrets, as well as housing a magnificent helical staircase probably designed by Leonardo da Vinci.

Château de Blois

Considered the gateway to other castles, the Royal Castle of Blois was the power center for a long time, hosting 10 queens and at least 7 kings of France. If you are interested in understanding the history of the Loire Valley, you cannot fail to include this stop on your journey: in this castle, architectural styles dating back to at least 4 historical periods are encapsulated, in addition to housing the Lapidary Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts of the city of Blois.

Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire

Center of Art and Nature, the Castle of Chaumont dramatically dominates the Loire from a rocky spur. The entire estate is an oasis of beauty and peace in which to walk, discover things, and have a picnic, as well as hosting the International Garden Festival every year, a not-to-be-missed event where nature, creativity, and poetry meet to create dreamlike environments.

Château de Chéverny

Famous for inspiring the comic book artist Hergé in the creation of the Moulinsart castle, home of Captain Haddock and featured in several issues of the Adventures of Tintin, it hosts a unique interactive permanent exhibition in France, entirely dedicated to the famous comic book character: a real dream for children!

Château d'Amboise

A jewel of the Renaissance, the Royal Castle of Amboise was a favorite residence of the kings of France during this historical period. The first Renaissance castle to introduce the Italian style, among its walls hosted intellectuals and artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, who spent the last years of his life in Amboise. His tomb is located in the Saint-Hubert chapel, an architectural masterpiece wonderfully positioned on a terrace from which you can enjoy a splendid view of the course of the Loire.

Clos Lucé

A small exception to our list, since it is not a real castle, but a small manor, worth visiting because it was the last home of Leonardo da Vinci, who was part of the court of Francis I from 1516 to 1519. Here the Italian genius devoted himself to perfecting his inventions, some of which are reproduced life-size and in interactive form in the manor park.

Château de Chenonceau

Also known as The Castle of the Two Queens because coveted and managed alternately by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine De' Medici, respectively mistress and wife of Henry II, it is considered the most beautiful of the Loire castles. Built with an arch system directly on the Cher River, which gives it a unique charm, it is surrounded by magnificent gardens and its well-kept interiors, rich in furnishings and period objects are really not to be missed.

Château de Villandry

Famous for its magnificent Potager Gardens, created with fruit trees, vegetables, and aromatic herbs, it was the last of the Renaissance castles to be built in the Loire Valley. Here one can indulge in scents and colors walking among the themed gardens, which spread over three levels, and at the exit, a stop at the castle boutique to buy some seeds to plant on the home terrace is a must.

Château de Azay-le-Rideau

A masterpiece of the Renaissance, the castle of Azay-le-Rideau emerges directly from the waters of the Indre River and conquers with its unique charm at first glance. The interiors are enhanced by historic furnishings, and the gardens are simply magnificent, perfect for a romantic walk or to discover ancient vegetables in the Jardin des secrets.

Château du Rivau

Medieval fortress surrounded by gardens among the most beautiful in France, the Rivau castle allows you to travel back in time thanks to sets and special effects cleverly devised, while a walk in its gardens, among the most beautiful in France, will give you an experience between nature and dream.

The map of the Castles of the Loire is a valuable guide to exploring this region that never ceases to fascinate visitors from around the world. Each castle tells a unique story and the landscapes that surround them offer an extraordinary visual experience. By following the map, you can create your itinerary, or choose one of the many bike tours through the Castles of the Loire that you find on Cyclando, which will take you greenly to discover majestic castles, enchanting gardens, and beautiful historic cities.

Now all you have to do is pack your bags and get ready to be transported to an era of splendor and romance, at the slow pace of your pedaling, gliding along the placid course of the Loire between history and nature.

Cover photo, Chenonceau and Rivau by @ADT Touraine