Only a few miles outside Tours, on the River Cher, the Château de Chenonceau is probably the most celebrated of the many châteaux in the Loire valley. It was used as a mill in the Middle Ages and bridges the whole width of the river. It was owned by a succession of powerful noblewomen including Henri II's mistress Diane de Poiters, the Queen Regent Catherine de Medici and Louise de Loraine and is often referred to at the 'Château des Femmes'. Inside visitors can see a wonderful 200ft (61m) gallery, Louis XIV's sitting room and Francois I's bedroom.
Telephone: (02) 4723 9007
Website: www.chenonceau.com
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Opening times: Daily 9am to 7pm (mid-March to mid-September). Closing times vary during other months from 4.30pm to 6pm
Villandry
Five miles (8km) outside Tours is the tiny village of Villandry and its wonderful château. The château is best known for its gardens that are open between February and November. It is not your standard ornamental garden; between the vine-shaded paths and ornamental box hedges are carrots, cabbages and aubergines carefully arranged in patterns; roses climb gracefully above small herb gardens. Villandry is an easy cycle from Tours and, for those that have worked up an appetite, there are some excellent local restaurants.
Telephone: (0)2 4750 0209
Website: www.chateauvillandry.com
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Opening times: Château: daily 9am to 6.30pm (July to August); closing times vary from 4.30pm to 6pm during the rest of the year. Gardens: daily 9am to 7.30pm (mid-June to mid-September)
Château d'Angers
A kilometre-long wall studded with 17 circular towers surrounds this vast medieval fortress. Visitors can tour Château d'Angers, including the courtyard, prison, ramparts, windmill tower, 15th-century chapel, and royal apartments. The overriding reason however for coming here is to see the 328ft (100m) Tapestry of the Apocalypse. Woven between 1375 and 1378 for Duke Réné of Anjou, it takes as its text St John's vision of the Apocalypse, as described in the Book of Revelation. Guided tours provide insight into its architecture and fascinating history.
Telephone: (02) 4186 4877
Website: www.monum.fr/m_angers
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Opening times: Daily 10am to 5.30pm (5 September to 30 April); 9.30am to 6.30pm (2 May to 4 September). Last admittance is 45 minutes before closing
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