France’s best chateaux are found in Loire Valley

The Loire Valley, two hours southwest of Paris, offers France’s greatest array of chateau experiences.

Wander through sumptuous interiors, cared for by noble families who’ve lived there for centuries and still put out bouquets fit for a countess.

View packs of carefully bred hounds yelping for red meat, as they await their next chance to hunt.

Standing on a rooftop the size of Notre Dame amid countless chimneys, imagine you’re watching the hunt in the woods below.

Paddle a canoe beside a fairy-tale chateau on the Cher River.

The challenge for any visitor: how to choose among the countless castle thrills of the Loire Valley.

The Loire Valley is carpeted with fertile fields, crisscrossed by rivers and studded with hundreds of chateaux in all shapes and sizes. Medieval castles are here because the Loire was strategically important during the Hundred Years’ War (when France and England battled through the 14th and 15th centuries). During the Renaissance, pleasure palaces replaced fortified castles as the Loire became fashionable among the Parisian rich and royal.

The Valley of a Thousand Chateaux is also the home to many good wines. As you travel through the Loire, look for “Degustation” (tasting) signs. Inquire at tourist centers for winery tour and tasting information. The towns of Vouvray and Chinon have many proud and hospitable family wineries.

While less than a thousand, there seem to be countless castles to choose from. Consider visiting the region’s three most interesting chateaux: Chenonceau, Chambord and Cheverny. Don’t go overboard on chateau-hopping. Two chateaux, possibly three (if you’re a big person), is the recommended daily dosage. These three can be visited in a day by car or local minibus tour:

The toast of the Loire, Chenonceau, is a 15th-century Renaissance palace arching femininely over the Cher River. One look and you know women designed it: Diane de Poitiers added the delightful arched bridge across the river.

Mistress of Henry II, Diane enjoyed her lovely retreat until Henry died (pierced in a jousting tournament) and his vengeful wife, Catherine de Medici, unceremoniously kicked her out (and into the nearby chateau of Chaumont).

Catherine added a three-story structure atop Diane’s bridge, giving the chateau its unique river bridge charm. She turned Chenonceau into the local aristocracy’s place to see and be seen.

Much later, in the 20th century, Chenonceau marked the border between free and Nazi France in World War II. Dramatic prisoner swaps took place here. And now in the 21st century, it is a delight to explore.

More like a city than a castle, the chateau of Chambord is huge. Surrounded by a lush park with wild deer and boar, it was originally built as a simple hunting lodge for bored blue bloods. Francois I, using 1,800 workmen over 15 years, made a few modest additions and created this “weekend retreat.” (You’ll find his signature salamander everywhere.)

Don’t miss Chambord’s huge double-spiral staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo spent his last years as part of the French king’s court and lived nearby on the Loire in Amboise (where you can tour a fascinating museum in his home).

Other Chambord highlights include its second-floor vaulted ceilings, enormous towers on all corners, a pincushion roof of spires and chimneys and a 100-foot-tall lantern supported by flying buttresses. To see what happens when you put 365 fireplaces in your house, wander through the forest of chimney spires on the rooftop. Only 80 of the 440 rooms are open to the public — and that’s plenty.

The most lavish furnishings of all the Loire chateaux decorate the stately hunting palace of Cheverny. Those who complain that the Loire chateaux have stark and barren interiors missed this one. Today’s chateau was built in 1634. It’s been in the same family for nearly seven centuries. Family pride shows in its flawless preservation and intimate feel. The viscount’s family still lives on the third floor — you’ll see some family photos.

Cheverny was spared by the French Revolution, as the owners were popular then, as today, even among the poorer farmers. Barking dogs remind visitors that the viscount still loves to hunt. The kennel is especially interesting at dinnertime, when the 70 hounds are fed. The dogs — half English foxhound and half French bloodhound or Poitevin — are a hunter’s dream come true. The trophy room next door bristles with 2,000 stag antlers.

Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. E-mail him at rick@ricksteves.com, or write to him c/o P.O. Box 2009, Edmonds, WA 98020.