Set high on a rock overlooking the historic market town of Amboise and the River Loire, this former royal château is home to Leonardo da Vinci's tomb.
Loire Valley: Château d’Amboise
Loire Valley: Château du Clos Lucé
Once the summer house of the French royal family, this manor house was home to Leonardo da Vinci during the last years of his life.
Loire Valley: The beautiful village of Montrésor
Thanks to its quaint medieval streets, charming château and idyllic walk along the River Indrois, it's not surprising Montrésor has been named one of les plus beaux villages de France.
Loire Valley: The château and gardens at Chaumont-sur-Loire
Possibly my favourite château in the Loire. It may not have the architecural flourishes of Chenonceau or Chambord, but it's a delightfully charming affair surrounded by acres of stunning gardens.
Loire Valley: Château de Chambord
The biggest and grandest château in the Loire Valley is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, boasting 440 rooms and an ingenious double helix staircase.
Loire Valley: Château de Chenonceau
Thanks to its distinctive arched bridges spanning the River Cher, Chenonceau is the prettiest, most fairytale-like of the châteaux of the Loire.
Nantes: Château des Ducs de Bretagne
In the heart of Nantes's medieval centre lies the magnificent and imposing 13th century Château des Ducs de Bretagne, which was once home to the dukes of Brittany.
Nantes
Chic, laid-back and welcoming, this historic French city and former Breton capital has been dubbed the 'city of the dukes of Brittany'.
Pau
Béarn's elegant capital was once home to the kings and queens of Navarre, and as such, boasts a rather impressive château.
Lourdes
France's most famous pilgrimage site is home to a ginormous basilica, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, as well as a striking castle atop a very tall rock.
Béarn
In the shadow of the Pyrenees, lies the ancient region of Béarn. A wild, untamed land, it's an area of myths and legends, and has an otherworldly, spiritual feel.
Montreuil-Bellay
The beautiful, medieval castle of Montreuil-Bellay has quite the storied history. It's still inhabited, so it can only be visited by guided tour.
Little Old World 