The Loire Valley is home to many of the most famous châteaux in France, because of its natural beauty and its accessibility to the River Loire. Find out about life in a château, how châteaux were built and the stories behind the best known, and most visited, châteaux in France.

Life in a château
What was the Renaissance lifestyle in a French château?

Le Château de Chambord
François 1er and his dream of a splendid palace.

Building a château
How were the châteaux constructed?

Le Château de Chenonceau.
The château of the six women.

Château worksheet

Château quiz

Worksheet 1.
Passé Composé tense practice.

Worksheet 2.
Imperfect tense practice.

Le château de Chenonceau

What is a "château"?

Generally a "château" is a castle constructed more for living in than for defence.

Most châteaux do have some defensive attributes but provide comfort for their residents. Few seem to have dungeons. Many were based on Italianate architecture and celebrated the fact that France was no longer fighting civil wars. The rich could now concentrate on leisure activities and hunting.

Le château de Chambord