A memorable journey to one of the most picturesque places on earth. This volume transports readers to the legendary region in France that is home to more than 300 remarkable chateaux. Lingering on the architectural details of the most legendary castles of the Loire Valley and revealing their splendid natural settings, hundreds of gorgeous color-drenched photographs depict the unique splendor of this region. Whisking us through the unsurpassed cultural landscape that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Castles of the Loire takes readers behind the scenes at some of the finest chateaux in the area. The informative text explains the marvels of the 440 rooms of Chambord, the largest of the chateaux that was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci and the intricacies of Azay le Rideau, built on an island and reflected in the Indre River. We learn about the histories of other splendid structures, including Amboise Royal castle, built on top of medieval fortresses in the early Renaissance, as well as Chinon, Villandry, Angers, Chenonceau, and others that illustrate the ideals of the Renaissance an the Age of the Enlightenment.