Top 5 Wonderful Chateaus TO Visit In France

Even though the term chateau is most frequently interpreted as castle in English it often means palace or manor home from the French language. As an instance, the famed Château de Versailles doesn't bear any similarity to some castle, therefore it's known in English as the Palace of Versailles. Even more confusingly is that the most well-known castle in France is known as the Palais des Papes, situated in Avignon.

There are hundreds and hundreds of chateaus in France which range from destroys to elaborate estates. A few of the most visited French chateaus incorporate those situated in the South of France and in the Loire Valley, preferred because of their Renaissance style of design.

Chateau de Chantilly
Located only 40 km (25 miles) north of Paris, Chateau de Chantilly and all its allure is represented upon its surrounding moat. Built in 1560, Chantilly introduces an entire bundle of lavish rooms, a nice art gallery, fabulous gardens and striking stables. A tour of the inside shows the richly decorated rooms with their beautiful chandeliers, ornate carvings, furniture and art works. A must-see is your group of paintings and publication illuminations from the Musée Condé, among France's greatest art galleries. A wander about the reasons leads people through the formal gardens made with exquisite pavilions, fountains and sculptures. The chateau overlooks the Grand Stables and Chantilly Racecourse, which has been utilized as the place for its racecourse scene from the James Bond movie A View to a Kill.

Chateau de Pierrefonds
Frequently used as the setting for many tv displays, the Chateau de Pierrefonds stands out just like a fairy tale castle perched on a mountain overlooking a scenic village. Originally built in the 12th century, Pierrefonds was afterwards surrounded in 1617 by warfare secretary, Cardinal Richelieu, when its owner combined a political party opposing King Louis XIII. Left handed by Richelieu's troops, the castle remained in ruins for 2 decades before Napoleon Bonaparte chose to carry on the job of restoring it throughout the mid-1800s. Even though Napoleon updated Pierrefonds into a far more grand mansion, the spacious chambers were abandoned unfurnished. But, people can still enjoy its brilliance when they see the magical drawbridge, courtyard, towers, corridors, chapel and embattlements in addition to the underground crypt which comprises the remains of many French kings.

Chateau de Chaumont
Located in the Loire Valley, Chateau de Chaumont boasts a background that's every bit as vibrant as its striking look. The chateau was initially assembled in 1465 on the remains of a 10th century fortress just to be destroyed shortly after when King Louis XI found that its proprietor, Pierre d'Amboise, had involved himself in a revolt from the king. After being reconstructed a couple of decades later, the infamous wife of King Henry II, Catherine de Medici, bought Chaumont and frequently amused famous individuals here like the astrologer, Nostradamus. Observing this, the castle passed through different owners over the centuries before eventually being contributed in 1938 into the French authorities. Nowadays, visitors can see the chateau to view its elegant interior, gardens, luxury stables and panoramic views of the Loire River and countryside.

Chateau de Chambord
Also found in the Loire Valley, the Chateau Chambord is readily known by its remarkable dimension and layout. Considered as one of France's greatest examples of French Renaissance design, Chateau Chambord was constructed in the 16th century as a hunting retreat for King Francois I. Within this expansive castle of 440 rooms and 300 fireplaces, Chambord presents several striking features such because of its double helix staircase and elaborate rooftop of chimneys, cupolas, gables and towers which resemble a town skyline. Surrounding Charmond is a attractive moat along with a wrought game book which lands wild boar and red deer.

Chateau de Versailles
As one of the most well-known Chateaus in France, the Chateau Versailles attracts over 3 million people yearly. This magnificent palace was initially assembled in 1624 as a hunting lodge for King Louis XIII and then later enlarged to become the house of the French Royal Family. The palace's most magnificent features include the Hall of Mirrors, a corridor lined with multi-colored arches. From the Queen's bedchamber, visitors may see a hidden doorway by which Marie Antionette fled through the March on Versailles. A must-see is your palace 250-acre formal gardens, which are designed at a geometrical pattern of trees, blossoms and pathway