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Aerial photo of Villandry Castle and Garden, Loire Valley, Centre, France. Vue aérienne, Château et Jardin de Villandry, Val de Loire.

The Loire Valley is noted for its high density of sumptuous castles dotting the landscape alongside a 280km-long stretch of the Loire River between Chalonnes-sur-Loire and Sully-sur-Loire. This entire area with its many architectural gems is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Villandry, Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, France.

Aerial photo of Villandry Castle and Garden, Loire Valley, Centre, France. Vue aérienne, Château et Jardin de Villandry, Val de Loire.

Although on the left bank of the Cher River but only a few kilometers away from the confluence with the Loire River, the Castle of Villandry is also part of this UNESCO World Heritage site. In 1532, Jean Le Breton acquired the previous medieval castle, razed it with the exception of the keep and built around it the castle we see today. Villandry, Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, France.

Aerial photo of Villandry Castle and Garden, Loire Valley, Centre, France. Vue aerienne, Château et Jardin de Villandry, Val de Loire.

Jean Le Breton, also designed the ornamental garden surrounding his castle. Villandry, Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, France.

Aerial photo of Chambord Castle, Loire Valley, Centre, France. Vue aérienne, Château de Chambord, Val de Loire.

Chambord Castle has, undoubtedly, the most representative architecture of the French Renaissance style from the 16th century. It was built by Francis I to be used as a hunting lodge. Alongside the Loire River, hundreds of castles (no definite numbers) are recognized by UNESCO for their outstanding architecture, Chambord Castle is the largest of them all. Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, Centre-Val de Loire, France.

Aerial photo of Chambord Castle, Loire Valley, Centre, France. Vue aérienne, Château de Chambord, Val de Loire.

The size of Chambord Castle is very impressive: it has 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces, and 84 staircases. Equally impressive is the walled park surrounding the castle: it covers an area of 54.4km2 (or about half the size of the city of Paris). Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, Centre-Val de Loire, France.

Aerial photo of Chambord Castle, Loire Valley, Centre, France. Vue aérienne, Château de Chambord, Val de Loire.

Unique amongst all castles in the Loire Valley, and elsewhere, is the profusion of turrets and chimneys ornamenting the roof of Chambord Castle. Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, Centre-Val de Loire, France.

Aerial photo of Chenonceau Castle, Chenonceaux, Loire Valley, Centre, France. Vue aérienne, Château de Chenonceau, Val de Loire.

Chenonceau Castle. Chenonceaux, Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, France.

Aerial photo of Sully-sur-Loire Castle with the Loire River, Centre, France. Vue aérienne, Château de Sully-sur-Loire, Val de Loire.

Sully-sur-Loire Castle on the left bank of the Loire River. Sully-sur-Loire, Loiret, Centre-Val de Loire, France.

Aerial photo of Sully-sur-Loire Castle, Loire Valley, Centre, France. Vue aérienne, Château de Sully-sur-Loire, Val de Loire.

Sully-sur-Loire Castle. Sully-sur-Loire, Loiret, Centre-Val de Loire, France.

Aerial photo of Cheverny Castle, Loire Valley, Centre, France. Vue aérienne, Château de Cheverny, Val de Loire.

Cheverny Castle. Cheverny, Loir-et-Cher, Centre-Val de Loire, France.

Aerial photo of Chinon Castle, Centre-Val de Loire, France. Vue aérienne, Château de Chinon.

Chinon Castle. Chinon, Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, France.

Aerial photo of Ussé Castle, Centre-Val de Loire, France. Vue aérienne, Château d'Ussé.

Ussé Castle. Rigny-Ussé, Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, France.

Aerial photo of Chaumont-sur-Loire Castle, Hot Air Balloon, Loire Valley, Centre, France. Vue aérienne, Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, Montgolfière, Centre-Val de Loire.

Chaumont-sur-Loire Castle with two hot-air balloons slowly drifting above the Loire River. Chaumont-sur-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Centre-Val de Loire, France.

Aerial photo of Hot Air Balloon above the Cher River, Centre, France. Vue aérienne, Montgolfière au-dessus de la Rivière le Cher.

Hot-air balloon drifting above two islets on the Cher River. Moulin Fort is a fortified mill from the 16th Century. Chisseaux, Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, France.

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