This castle is located in the town of Chambord, 30 km southwest of Paris on the banks of the river Cher. Its history began in 1513 when King Francis I decided to build a summer residence for his mistress – courtesan Diane de Poitiers. In 1993, the castle was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Only the ceremonial halls are open to visitors, but even they are awe-inspiring. For example, the Mirror Hall, covering an area of 550 sq m, contains the most luxurious mirrors from the 16th century, collected from the private collections of the French King Louis XIV. The Mirror Room is covered with mirrors on the walls, floor, and ceiling. The Reception Hall contains 76 mirrors imported from Venice.
2. Versailles
Versailles is a true open-air museum. Here, you can see everything that embodies the luxury and grandeur of the French court: the Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon with its famous rose garden, the Marly Palace, the Pavilion of Flora, the Pavilion of the Grotto, and much more. The Versailles complex is now a museum and open for visitors from all over the world. Here, you can see not only the palace halls and the park but also learn more about the life of the royal family and the history of France.
3. Loire Valley
The Loire Valley is 500 km of picturesque riverbanks with castles, fortresses, museums, and restaurants. It is known for its vineyards and wine, as well as medieval towns such as Amboise, Chambord, Blois, and Tours. The Loire Valley is famous for its beautiful castles, built in different eras and with their unique architecture. Among the most famous castles of the Loire Valley are:
1. Château de Chenonceau – one of the most beautiful castles in France, built in the Renaissance style.
2. Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg – a castle built in the Gothic style.
4. Mont-Saint-Michel
Mont-Saint-Michel is an island fortress located in the English Channel between Normandy and Brittany. It was built by monks in the 11th century and has become a symbol of French culture and history. Mont-Saint-Michel is situated at a height of 105 meters above sea level and is surrounded by rocks and water. The fortress was built in the 11th century and has a pentagonal shape. It was built to protect against Vikings and other enemies. Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the main attractions of France and attracts tourists from all over the world with its beauty and history.
5. Louvre
The Louvre is a museum in Paris that houses one of the largest collections of artworks in the world. The Louvre was founded in 1793 and is a symbol of French culture and art. In 2018, the number of visitors to the Louvre exceeded 10 million, setting a record. The museum building is an ancient royal palace (Palais du Louvre). The equestrian statue of Louis XIV marks the starting point of the so-called historical axis of Paris.
If you are planning to visit France, be sure to include these attractions in your list of interesting places! They will help you experience aesthetic pleasure and provide you with a great amount of positive emotions!
