Les châteaux de la Loire

1. Les châteaux de la Loire

2. The Loire River is the longest river in France. It is also the last wild river in Europe. It has dangerous currents and shifting sandbars so swimming in the river is discouraged and even forbidden in some locations. This also makes the river difficult to navigate for large boats like barges; hence, another reason why the river has been preserved.

3. The French kings built hunting lodges and large castles in the Loire River valley because of its lush landscape and rich forests full of game for hunting.

4. The nobles didn’t want to be too far away from the kings so they built their own castles in the valley that they used for summer homes once the kings returned to Paris and made it their seat of power.

5. Today, these castles serve as private homes, bed and breakfasts and major tourist sites. The largest and most impressive castles are owned by the national government and leave their doors open for visitors year-round.

6. les châteaux forts • Date from _________________________ • Made for __________________________ • They have: • ______________________________ • ______________________________ • Built in: ___________________________ • Examples: • ________________________________ • ________________________________ • ________________________________ medieval times defense strong, thick walls moats or drawbridges strategic locations (on river, on hill) Angers Chinon Chaumont-sur-Loire

7. Founded in the 9th century (year 800) • Known in French as a “château fort” or a castle fortress (strong castle)

8. The chapel is called a “saintechapelle” because it houses a holy relic. In this case, it housed a splinter of the cross of Christ.

9. A famous tapestry was commissioned by Louis I, Duke of Anjou, called the Apocalypse Tapestry. It is the oldest French medieval tapestry to survive. It depicts the Book of Revelation in the Bible.

10. Founded in the 10th century by Odo I, Count of Blois • Pierre d’Amboise rebelled against King Louis XI and then the castle was confiscated by the crown and dismantled in 1465. It was later rebuilt but some Renaissance features were included.

11. Catherine de Médecis acquired the château in 1560 and entertained astrologers such as Nostradamus here. • After the death of her husband, Henri II, Catherine forced his mistress Diane de Poitiers to exchange Chenonceau for Chaumont – which she hated and only lived there a short while.

12. Madame de Staël, famous French writer, acquired the château in 1810.

13. Located on a high promontory on the bank of the Vienne River in Chinon, France • Dates back to the 10th century but sits on land settled by the Romans and even further back to prehistoric settlements

14. Known as a “château fort” or fortress • Has been used as a castle and a prison

15. In 1429, Joan of Arc came to tell Charles VII, Dauphin (prince) of France, that she had heard voices telling her that Charles would give her an army to relieve the siege at Orléans. After being cross-examined, he gave her that army and sent her off to fight the British.

16. les châteaux de la Renaissance • Date from _________________________ • Made for __________________________ • They have: • ______________________________ • ______________________________ • Built in: ___________________________ • Examples: • ________________________________ • ________________________________ • ________________________________ 16th century (1500s) pleasure, comfort decorative features (spiral staircases, many windows) rich décor inside and gardens outside places of beauty Chambord Chenonceau Azay-le-Rideau

17. Chambord

19. François Ier built this château as a hunting lodge. It was built in this location because the property was adjacent to that of his mistress. It has over 400 rooms and 365 fireplaces. It is surrounded by a 13,000 acre wooded park and game reserve.

20. One of the most famous features of the château is the double helix staircase. Two people can ascend the staircase at the same time from two opposite sides and never run into each other. It has been suggested that Leonardo da Vinci designed the staircase but this has not been proven.

21. The king’s bedroom

22. The queen’s bedroom

23. Lady’s bedroom

24. The salamander – symbols of François 1er

25. Chenonceau Known as the castle of the ladies, Chenonceau stretches across the lovely river Cher.

26. Aerial view During its long history, Chenonceau was developed and maintained by 6 different royal women.

27. The inside of the gallery that stretches over the river. It was used during WWI as a hospital and during WWII as a means of escaping from the German occupied zone of France to the free zone.

28. The initials of Henri II and his wife Catherine: because the “C” is back to back it also looks like “H” and “D” for Henri and his mistress Diane de Poitiers. After her husband’s death, Catherine took back control of the château and added on to it, including a 3 story structure on top of the bridge that Diane had commissioned. Ballroom just under the gallery

29. Diane de Poitier’s bedroom

30. Catherine de Médecis’ bedroom There is a small room just beside her bedroom, painted with mysterious symbols. It is believed that she had fortune tellers come to the room to tell her future.

31. Bedroom of Queen Louise de Lorraine After her husband, Henri III died, she had her bedroom painted black and decorated with the symbols of mourning. She never left her bedroom again until she died.

32. Built on an island in the middle of the Indre River

33. One of the most loved of the Loire Valley châteaux because of its fairy tale setting

34. Built in the Renaissance style but it took many years to build as pilings had to be driven down in the water for the foundation. The stones for the walls were extremely heavy and had to be floated in by boat.

35. No kings ever stayed in this castle even though a royal room was prepared just in case!