We are travelling to France in September 2012. We are planning on staying 1 or 2 nights in the Loire Valley we are driving from Angers and will be staying for 1 or 2 nights in Amboise before continuing on to Cognac and Sarlat. My question is regarding the chateaux. We are more interested in viewing the beautiful chateaux from the outside than touring the inside. Looking for recommendations regarding which chateaux can be easily viewed from the outside (like from a park or restaurant, or just driving by).
Posted by
Corsicana, Texas, USA
354 posts
You might have to delete Chenonceau, Cheverny, and Chambord from your list, since I don't think these chateaux can be viewed from a passing vehicle. If you are willing to walk a little, consider Chambord, which has a very interesting exterior.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Oh Pam,, what a shame to be so close and not visit a chateau or two. I seem to recall most of the ones I visited had walls around them, so you can peek at them, but thats going to be limited view at best.
Some of them have wonderful gardens and grounds, you have to go in and see them,, I am thinking especially of Chenonceau .. look for it online,, it has a beautiful maze garden, and it straddles a river.. I would make it a point to at least visit one Chateau,, and that would be one of first picks.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Chateaux Amboise dominates the town, so you can observe that one easily enough without going in. Chambord sits in the middle of a large estate park, well off the main road. You can park in the lot and walk around the grounds without paying... but why go only halfway? If my memory is correct, you can't even enter the grounds for Chenonceau without paying. You might be able to get a distant glimpse of it from the parking area... but once again, why go to the trouble if you're not actually visiting it? Chaumont sits on a bluff overlooking the river. You can sort of see it as you drive by, but not in any great detail. I don't remember where you pay for admission, but once again, to get a good view of it, you would have to walk up to the top of the bluff anyway.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2109 posts
If I recall, the Chateau d'Usse is a perfect drive by, visible from the road.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
I think you can see Azay-le-Rideau from the road, surrounded by its moat. Blois is a big eclectic place in the middle of a city, you can see from the outside but the courtyard view (which requires paying) is much more interesting. Amboise is on a hilltop and visible from town. Cheverny is behind a wall, Chenonceaux through the woods but too far to see without paying. I agree with others that it's worth it to stop and pay to see at least a couple of the best chateaux. I'd vote for Chenonceaux if you can do it. The outside is spectacular and the inside well worthwhile and not too time-consuming. Amboise is very interesting and would be easy enough if you're staying there. Also, in Amboise, don't neglect the Clos-Luce where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last years. It's sort of a museum about him with scale models of his amazing inventions. Can't see much of it without paying. As RS says, don't stint on admission charges, these are the things you came to Europe to see. But budgeting your time is another matter, you have to decide about priorities.