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Loire chateauBest Loire Chateaux  When it comes to chateaux the Loire valley gives the Dordogne a good run for its money!  However whereas the Dordogne chateaux are generally situated on craggy cliff tops, many of the most impressive Loire chateaux are majestically set in river valleys, in forest clearings or, in the case of Chenonceau, straddling the river!  Unlike the Dordogne chateaux, the Loire chateaux were built with luxury and pleasure as their raison d'être!

Chateau de BrézéChateau de Brézé - Something a bit different!

Location: On D93 in Brézé village 11km S of Saumur.
General Info: 49260 Brézé. Tel No: 0(2) 41 51 60 15. Open 1 March – mid November.
Description: For entertainment value this unusual chateau is often viewed as one of the best in the region, although to gain the most from the tour (which is guided) a knowledge of French is helpful. This is a castle within a castle with an incredible system of underground tunnels and passages to explore, and probably get lost in – hence the need for a guide!! Altogether there are over 1 km of tunnels housing all manner of interest, including the largest underground bakery in France, an ice-house and part of the tour is a Son et Lumière show on the bare rock of one of the underground caves.
Our recommendations:  It is possible to visit the chateau as well, but this is not as interesting as the fortress and you may be pushing things a bit if you have youngish children in tow! Maybe keep any spare time to do a spot of wine tasting in the chateau wine cellars.

Our favourite Chateaux in the Loire valley:

 

        - Angers Castle
        - Château de Brézé
        - Château de Chambord
        - Château de Chenonceau
        - Château de Villandry

External websites offering information on Chateaux in the Loire valley:

- Amazing castles of France
- Casteland.com website
Chosen by our children:

     - Top Attractions in the Loire
     - Top ten Holiday destinations in France