5 small Loire châteaux in the shadow of the big boys

Château de Beauregard is famous for its impressive Galerie des Illustres, an incredible collection of portraits of 327 famous people, immersing visitors in the history of France. Admire the majestic lapis lazuli ceiling or the floor covered in Delft tiles.

Located 20 minutes from Chambord in the commune of Cellettes, this former hunting lodge belonging to François 1er boasts one of the finest gardens in the Loire Valley. To round off your afternoon in style, don't hesitate to take a stroll and enjoy a picnic. Don't miss the magnificent rose garden and the knowledge trail with its outdoor portrait gallery.

Château de Villesavin stands at the gateway to Chambord. Built in the 16th century by Jean Le Breton, former governor of the Chambord works, this residence nicknamed "the Chambord building site" has undergone a number of embellishment changes over the centuries.

After wandering through the richly decorated Renaissance-style interiors, you should visit the fascinating Wedding Museum. From the trousseau to the bridal bedroom, over 1,500 period objects retrace the history of weddings from 1850 to 1950.

Château de Villesavin also has a museum of old horse-drawn carriages, an animal farm for the little ones and a signposted trail through the undergrowth in search of the ghost of Villesavin...

With its architecture combining the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the château at Fougères-sur-Bièvre is the most unusual in the Loir-et-Cher region. Its machicolations, keep and sentry walk contrast with the elegant facades of the other Loire châteaux.

Located 15 kilometres from Blois, this fortified castle stands out for the materials used in its construction: rough Beauce limestone for the walls and tufa stone from the banks of the Cher for the sculpted sections. A rare feature is that the castle's roof timbers are open to visitors.

Like Fougères-sur-Bièvre, the Château de Talcy, 25 kilometres from Blois, is a bit of a departure on the road to Renaissance châteaux. Built from 1520 onwards in a medieval style by Bernard Salviati, a Florentine merchant, this château and its interiors (furniture, books, crockery) are in a state of perfect preservation despite being 500 years old.

A tour of the castle reveals that its history is closely linked to poetry. It was Cassandre Salviati, the daughter of the first lord of the château, who inspired Pierre de Ronsard to write his famous poem "Mignonne, allons voir si la rose" ("Lovely, let's go and see if there's a rose")... while her niece, Diane, was Agrippa d'Aubigné's muse, for whom he wrote his love poem "Le Printemps" ("Spring").

You can't measure the value of a château by its size, and Château de Troussay, the smallest of the Loire châteaux, is no exception. Situated a stone's throw from Cheverny in the Sologne region, this little jewel of the Renaissance laid its foundations in the 15th century in a green setting surrounded by vineyards.

After a tour of the interior and its antique decor (fine furniture, painted ceilings, stone fireplaces, sculptures and Louis XII tiles, etc.), visitors will be charmed by the English-style gardens that surround this unusual château.

Where to stay?

⭐ Troussay Castle

Fancy spending a weekend in the shoes of a castellan? Book one of the guest rooms or gîtes set up in the main building and outbuildings from €180 per night.