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AERIAL VIEW photo of Villandry Castle and Garden, Loire Valley, Centre, France. VUE AERIENNE, 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 Castle and Garden, Centre-Val de Loire, France.

AERIAL VIEW photo of Villandry Castle and Garden, Loire Valley, Centre, France. VUE AERIENNE, 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. Centre-Val de Loire, France.

AERIAL VIEW 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 Garden, Centre-Val de Loire, France.

AERIAL VIEW photo of Chambord Castle, Loire Valley, Centre, France. VUE AERIENNE, 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. Centre-Val de Loire, France.

AERIAL VIEW photo of Chambord Castle, Loire Valley, Centre, France. VUE AERIENNE, 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). Centre-Val de Loire, France.

AERIAL VIEW photo of Chambord Castle, Loire Valley, Centre, France. VUE AERIENNE, 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. Centre-Val de Loire, France.

AERIAL VIEW photo of Chenonceaux Castle, Loire Valley, Centre, France. VUE AERIENNE, Château de Chenonceaux, Val de Loire.

Chenonceaux Castle. Centre-Val de Loire, France.

AERIAL VIEW photo of Sully-sur-Loire Castle, Loire Valley, Centre, France. VUE AERIENNE, Château de Sully-sur-Loire, Val de Loire.

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

AERIAL VIEW photo of Sully-sur-Loire Castle, Loire Valley, Centre, France. VUE AERIENNE, Château de Sully-sur-Loire, Val de Loire.

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

AERIAL VIEW photo of Cheverny Castle, Loire Valley, Centre, France. VUE AERIENNE, Château de Cheverny, Val de Loire.

Cheverny Castle. Centre-Val de Loire, France.

AERIAL VIEW photo of Chaumont-sur-Loire Castle, Hot Air Balloon, Loire Valley, Centre, France. VUE AERIENNE, Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, Montgolfière, Val de Loire.

Chaumont-sur-Loire Castle and Hot Air Balloons. Centre-Val de Loire, France.

AERIAL VIEW photo of Hot Air Balloon above the Cher River, Centre, France. VUE AERIENNE, Montgolfière au-dessus de la Rivière le Cher.

Hot Air Balloon above the Cher River. Centre-Val de Loire, France.

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