CASTLES DÉPARTEMENT DU LOIR-ET-CHER

Château de Villesavin, built for Francis I's secretary of finances, is a Renaissance château-museum renowned for its nearly pristine condition spanning four centuries. Designed by master builders who also worked on royal palaces, the castle features furnished rooms, a unique wedding museum, and collections of horse-drawn carriages and vintage vehicles. Family activities include a children's farm, treasure hunts, and ghost-hunting experiences set amid manicured grounds with a pollinator garden. Located in Tour-en-Sologne near Chambord, the estate is wheelchair accessible and holds the Accueil Vélo designation, offering bike parking and picnic areas for active visitors.

Château de la Ferté-Beauharnais, constructed in the 18th century by François de Beauharnais, governor of the Windward Islands, stands in the heart of Sologne amidst a 15-hectare English-style park. Erected on blonde rubble with white stone details, the classic structure features a seven-bay central body unified under a pediment with an oculus, flanked by large corner towers. The château is situated near major Loire landmarks including Chambord, Cheverny, and Blois, and once belonged to prominent family members including Josephine (Empress), Eugène (Viceroy of Italy), and Hortense (Queen of Holland). In 1764, the property obtained the marquisate title it retains today, establishing it as a significant French historical landmark.