Châteaux of the Loire Valley The Loire Valley is home to over 100 French châteaux, some of these are spectacularly grand. Its richness in history and architecture has earned it classification as a UNESCO World Heritage site. So why are there so many magnificent châteaux in this region? The lush Loire Valley, with its vineyards and vast hunting forests and waterways, was a great playground for the royal courts. During the medieval times the royal courts never stayed in one place for long and their practice of moving around led to the building of splendid châteaux along the Loire Valley. This was followed by the grand Renaissance which was a period characterized by intensive château construction. Chambord and Chenonceau are the two grandest Renaissance châteaux and even today their grandeur are reminders of the past royal rule. In this album, we go on a chateaux trail, including Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, Château d'Amboise, Clos Luce, Château de Chambord, and my very own favorite Château de Chenonceau, including a visit to its interior.