Loire Valley
 
The whole region is filled with fortress style castles thanks to many kings and nobility who built these mansions between the 15th and 18th centuries. The three most famous castles are:
- Chateau de Chambord - the largest castle in the region with 440 rooms and took 1800 workers 15 years to build. It is not the most attractive structure but its size is impressive.
- Chateau de Cheverny - beautifully furnished castle on a large property but probably not that notable.
- Chateau de Chenonceaux - closest to a fairy tale castle with a moat, drawbridge, towers and sits on a river. The gardens are beautiful and have an interesting story behind their creation. The garden to one side of the castle was designed by the mistress of a medieval king. To the other side, the garden was planted by the wife of the king after he died and the mistress was thrown out. The initial garden is much nicer. During WW2, this castle, as were many in the region, was occupied by the germans. The river on which the castle sits was the dividing line to Vichy France. One of the rooms of the castle was used as a crossing point for the french to escape german occupation.
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