Château d'Amboise

Interior:	NOT VISITED
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Comments: The view from across the river is fantastic, and while this castle is a home base to visit other castles, the castle itself was underwhelming.

Château de Blois

Interior:	NOT VISITED
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Comments: Our highlight with this castle was the suddenness with which it appears in your view from the city street; its imposing structure was not to be ignored. The castle claims a beautiful courtyard staircase - which we were not willing to pay entrance fees to see.

Château de Chambord

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Comments: This castle boasts one of the most captivating and extravagant exteriors of any castle in the Loire Valley. Be sure to take a stroll around the grounds to admire all sides of this extraordinary and uniquely fashioned façade. Once gaining access the interior is rather disappointing with the exception of two things: a massive double helix staircase, roof top access to 440 ornate peaks.

Château de Chantilly

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Comments: This castle is in pristine condition throughout and will not disappoint, schedule more time for a tour. Take a stroll through the grounds, they provide a relaxed and picturesque setting. You are better off being a horse than a human around these grounds, go see the stables.

Château de Chenonceau

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Comments: One of the most spellbinding and romantic castles in the Loire Valley, It sits atop a flowing river. Stunning! The interior windows provide breathtaking views across the river and grounds. This well-kept castle also has formal French gardens, very geometrical! There is no way around it… take a little time to enjoy these gardens.

Château de Cheverny

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Comments: This small castle can be toured quickly. It is well-preserved and still used by the family. While not the most impressive castle and grounds, it is distinct and quaint and worth a look.

Château de Fontainebleau

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Comments: This castle you need to see! It is gloriously impressive! The vast structure and grounds are outstanding in all aspects. Masterfully maintained and restored, it is a grand spectacle, which will not disappoint. Fontainebleau stands out from the rest. We thought the people of Fontainebleau are so fortunate to live in a city where they see this beautiful place everyday.

Château d'Ussé

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Comments: This fairytale castle only needs to be appreciated from a distance. The grounds are simple and small. The fairytale style architecture is unfortunately this castles only selling feature. The interiors were a big disappointment… cheesy! Sleeping beauty should be watched onscreen, not as a mannequin in classical architecture.

Château de Valençay

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Comments: Skip a castle tour because the inside of this one is boring. It feels empty and unimpressive especially when compared to other castles we visited. The dome-capped corner towers would appeal to lovers of architecture. Its charming grounds hold some appeal as well.

Château de Vaux le Vicomte

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Comments: This mid-17th century castle is one of the most impressive. It is definitely worth touring both the interiors and grounds. Make the extra effort to climb to the top of its highest peak, the central dome holds a commanding view of the surrounding peaks and grounds. These fantastic grounds contain a grandiose moat and demand time to appreciate fully.

Château de Versailles

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Comments: This castle is immense; it is the crème de la crème. Versailles simply dwarfs all others and is by far the most grandiose of all. This place blew our minds with its grand interiors, enormous grounds replete with towering hedges, large fountains and spacious boulevards. They do not make them any bigger than this in France. Give yourself ample time to tour the entire castle and grounds. Versailles is the prime example of excess and opulence. Plan to visit this castle last on your list, or the others will seem unimpressive.

Château de Villandry

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Comments: While Versailles steals the show with its grandness, the gardens here were hands down our favorite. They are second-to-none. Students from around the world come here for schooling in horticulture. The colorful flowers and sharp green hedges are pruned into every design imaginable. Be sure to get lost in the maze-like hedges that abound throughout.