France: castles in the valley of the Loire and the Palace Versailles The valley of the Loire is also called as the garden of France. More than 120 castles are worth a visit and shows an architectural and historical wealth at the 1020 km long river. We visit 3 well-known castles beside the city of Blois. There are more castles in Blois itself, Menars and Chaumont. Cheverny The castle Cheverny is in the possession of the descendants of the family Hurault. This family from financial people and officers was in the service of five kings of France. Count Heinrich, an officer of Ludwig XIII established with his wife Marguerite this castle in the 17century. Chambord Chambord shows us the glorious times of different personalities: Franz I, the designer of the castle in the16 century, Henrich II, Gaston of Orleans, the brother of Ludwig XIII, Ludwig XIV and Stanislas Leszczynski, king of Poland and father-in-law of Ludwig XV. The castle contains about more than 400 rooms. Chenonceau "The Chateau of the Dames" This castle was built by Thomas Bolier and his wife Katherine Briconnet. Here resided Franz I, in addition Queen Margot (wife of Heinrichs IV), Elizabeth of France (wife of Phillippe II of Spain) with her daughters Maria Stuart (wife of Franz II), Elizabeth of Austria (wife of Karl IX) and Luise of Lorraine (wife of Heinrich III). Versailles The palace of Versailles and its gardens not far from Paris belongs to the most famous buildings of the world. The earlier "hunting-house" of Ludwig XIII was made by his son Ludwig XIV the seat of the yard and the government of France. Here in Versailles the national assembly began 1789 its first steps and humans and citizen rights was accepted here. In the mirror hall was closed the peace treaty by Versailles, which terminated the First World War.   >> regard photos          >> info main-page