Loire Valley, France
The first stop on our 5 day trip with Max's parents was a visit to Chambord. This building was intended as a hunting lodge for King Francois I (1494-1547) even though he only spent 72 days here. The estate covers approximately 13,500 acres and is the largest enclosed forest park in Europe.
In the center of the keep is the giant double helix staircase, consisting of two spiral flights of stairs that wind independently around a hollow column.
Unlike the other chateaux we would see, the Chateau de Blois was surrounded by a city setting, rather then by forests or lakes. This building contains elements of Gothic (13th century), Flamboyant (1498-1503), early Renaissance (1515-1524), and classical architecture in its four wings.
This projecting staircase tower in the Francois I wing exemplifies Renaissance architecture. I just thought it was pretty neat looking.
Next, we were off to the Chateau de Cheverny. The estate has been in the same family for more than 6 centuries and the current residents are living on the third floor. Apparently, Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa was hidden in the Orangerie (think green house for orange trees) behind the chateau during WWII. 
I'm not going to lie, the kid in me was itching to run over to the chateau's kennel while yelling "puppies"! A little girl beat me to it. Here, 70 well trained dogs are held, waiting to go on the family's next hunting trip. 
The last castle on our tour through the Loire was the Chateau de Chenonceau. It was built in the 16 century and for a time belonged to the mistress of King Henri II, Diane de Poitires, who was virtually the queen of France. She was kicked out of the chateau by the actual queen of France upon the king's death.
Chenonceau was built over the River Cher which corresponded to the line of demarcation during WWII. The entrance to the chateau was in the occupied zone while the South door gave access to the free zone and provided a way for the Resistance to help people escape occupied territory. Throughout the war, German artillery was kept ready to destroy the castle.
The first stop on our 5 day trip with Max's parents was a visit to Chambord. This building was intended as a hunting lodge for King Francois I (1494-1547) even though he only spent 72 days here. The estate covers approximately 13,500 acres and is the largest enclosed forest park in Europe.
In the center of the keep is the giant double helix staircase, consisting of two spiral flights of stairs that wind independently around a hollow column.
Unlike the other chateaux we would see, the Chateau de Blois was surrounded by a city setting, rather then by forests or lakes. This building contains elements of Gothic (13th century), Flamboyant (1498-1503), early Renaissance (1515-1524), and classical architecture in its four wings.
This projecting staircase tower in the Francois I wing exemplifies Renaissance architecture. I just thought it was pretty neat looking.
Next, we were off to the Chateau de Cheverny. The estate has been in the same family for more than 6 centuries and the current residents are living on the third floor. Apparently, Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa was hidden in the Orangerie (think green house for orange trees) behind the chateau during WWII. 
I'm not going to lie, the kid in me was itching to run over to the chateau's kennel while yelling "puppies"! A little girl beat me to it. Here, 70 well trained dogs are held, waiting to go on the family's next hunting trip. 
The last castle on our tour through the Loire was the Chateau de Chenonceau. It was built in the 16 century and for a time belonged to the mistress of King Henri II, Diane de Poitires, who was virtually the queen of France. She was kicked out of the chateau by the actual queen of France upon the king's death. 
Chenonceau was built over the River Cher which corresponded to the line of demarcation during WWII. The entrance to the chateau was in the occupied zone while the South door gave access to the free zone and provided a way for the Resistance to help people escape occupied territory. Throughout the war, German artillery was kept ready to destroy the castle. 
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