The Châteaux
de la Loire
The Châteaux of the Loire
After visiting the Château Royal d'Amboise and the Château du Clos Lucé, treat yourself to a relaxing break at the hotel to prepare for your trip to the heart of the châteaux of the Loire Valley. Ideally located in Indre-et-Loire, where a thousand and one treasures abound, the Manoir Saint Thomas allows you to discover the finest jewels of the Renaissance throughout your stay. Whether at the top of a hill, on the edge of a forest or surrounded by water, they tell the story of France in the exceptional setting of the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
Discover these monuments steeped in history during your stay in the heart of the Loire Valley, at the 4-star Manoir Saint Thomas hotel.
Chenonceau
The castle, built between 1513 and 1521, is an enchanting white stone gateway that mirrors the Cher riverbed. An exceptional site for its original design, the richness of its collections and its furnishings, Chenonceau is nicknamed "the Ladies' Castle". Catherine Briçonnet, Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Médicis, Louise de Lorraine, Gabrielle d'Estrées, Madame Dupin and Madame Pelouze have all lived in this jewel of the Loire Valley.
Chenonceau castle is 12 km from the Manoir Saint Thomas.
Blois
The Château Royal de Blois is a place that evokes the power and daily life of the Court during the Renaissance. A true royal palace in the Loire Valley, it was the first building project launched by François 1st. Built in the heart of the town of Blois, it tells the story of 1,000 years of French history and architecture. Each wing bears witness to a different era, the most striking of which is the Renaissance wing with its Loges façade and incredible spiral staircase.
Blois castle is 35 km from the Manoir Saint Thomas.
Valencay
Inspired by the Château de Chambord, Valençay boasts harmonious architecture and majestic grounds that are in no way inferior to those of other châteaux in the Loire Valley. Of Renaissance and Classical inspiration, it is surrounded by magnificent formal gardens and English parkland. In 1803, Napoleon acquired the Château de Valençay for his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand, who ran it until his death.
Valençay castle is 60 km from the Manoir Saint Thomas.
Chambord
Born of the dream of François 1st, the château anticipates and surpasses Versailles in its architectural delirium, with its immense white nave delicately chiselled, its tall ship with 365 chimneys, its towers and bell towers that seem to defy the sky for eternity. The Château de Chambord marks the beginning of the French Renaissance, combining Italian principles with French traditions. The largest château on the Loire has 426 rooms.
Chambord castle is 52 km from the Manoir Saint Thomas.
Villandry
Completed in 1536, Villandry is the last of the great châteaux built on the banks of the Loire. All the atmosphere of the Renaissance can be found here in the architecture, the paintings, the tapestries and their skilfully crafted arabesques. The château also owes its great renown to its exceptional terraced gardens on several levels, which surround it like a jewel case: the water garden, the pleasure garden, the vegetable garden...
The Château de Villandry is 40 km from the Manoir Saint Thomas.
Montpoupon
Forest, meadows and streams provide a magnificent backdrop to Montpoupon's architectural ensemble. Extensive restoration work has given Montpoupon the Renaissance appearance it has today. Inhabited by the same family since 1857, this private château opens its doors to authentic rooms such as the king's bedroom and the kitchen, which boasts more than 150 copperware pieces. The Musée du Veneur houses a unique collection on hunting, horses and the art of venery.
Château de Montpoupon is located in Céré-la-Ronde, 30 km from Manoir Saint Thomas.
