What river in France is known for castles?

The Château de Chenonceau (French: [ʃɑto də ʃənɔ̃so]) is a French château spanning the river Cher, near the small village of Chenonceaux, Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire. It is one of the best-known châteaux of the Loire Valley.

Why were castles built in the Loire Valley?

A strategic geographical and economic location for trade, the Loire River crosses the country and a beautiful, verdant landscape that embraced royal ambitions to build a succession of sumptuous pleasure palaces. It was at the beginning of the Middle Ages that castles started being built in the Loire Valley.

Who built the chateaux in the Loire Valley?

The chateau Villandry dates from circa 1536 when it was built by one of Francois 1’s finance ministers, Jean le Breton. Le Briton was also responsible for overseeing the construction of the royal ‘flight of fancy’ that is chateau Chambord.

How many castles are in Loire river Valley?

The castles of the Loire Valley are renowned the world over, and a very major attraction with visitors to France. Altogether there are more than 300 chateaux in the region, many built in the heyday of the French royalty and nobility, centred around the 17th-18th centuries.

What river is chenonceaux on?

the Cher River
Chenonceaux, village, Indre-et-Loire département, Centre région, west-central France, on the right bank of the Cher River. Chenonceaux is famous for its château, which bridges the Cher.

Why are so many castles abandoned in France?

After the fall of Communism, a few were given back (or sold back) to members of the former aristocracy, some were renovated and now have other purposes, many of them are museums or can be rented for weddings and other events. Of course, the world also changed a lot, so these castles are no longer feasible to maintain.

How old are Loire Valley castles?

The châteaux of the Loire Valley number over three hundred, ranging from practical fortified castles from the 10th century to splendid residences built half a millennium later.

When were the Loire Valley castles built?

What is a French castle called?

A château (French pronunciation: ​[ʃɑˈto]; plural: châteaux) is a manor house or residence of the lord of the manor, or a fine country house of nobility or gentry, with or without fortifications, originally, and still most frequently, in French-speaking regions.

Is Buckingham Palace a castle?

Buckingham Palace is the Queen’s official and main royal London home, although the Queen regularly spends time at Windsor Castle and Balmoral in Scotland. Windsor Castle is an official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world. The castle was the inspiration for the Royal family’s surname.