Chateaux of the Loire

• Hardcover - 15 October, 1997 - I. B. Tauris
• Usually ships in 4 to 6 weeks
• By: Thorston Droste and Axel M Mosler
• ISBN: 1860641644

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Reviews by readers

Transported through words and images

This book is an excellent investment. Gorgeous photography often depicts interiors as well as the exteriors of famous and also less well-known chateaux. Photographs (taken in various seasons of the year) present a large number of chateaux and castle complexes. The text is concise. Each chateau is described in a lively essay that is informative for architectural, historical, and travel details. A useful synopsis outlines a sight-seeing intinerary for those readers planning to visit the Loire Valley chateaux in person. Between the engaging text and beautiful images, reading (and re-reading) this book is a beautiful journey in itself.

BEAUTIFUL!

As a Frenchwoman who spent last summer touring the Loire and its chateaux, I was a bit disappointed in this book. Had I wanted a book about French history, I would have bought a book about French history. I was looking for a lot more of the "now" and a lot less of the "then." The old black and white photos may delight some, but I found them a major disappointment. The chateaux, as they are today, are a glorious feast for the eyes; more up-to-date photos would have garnered this book five stars as far as I'm concerned. But all that aside, it is a lovely, over-sized coffee table book and one that should be "required reading" for anyone anticipating a visit to the Loire.

VALLEY OF THE KINGS OF FRANCE

This is a well researched book with crisp images. The Loire Valley is like a mystical place, with Fairy Tale palaces and a lovely country side, it's no wonder French kings chose this area to hold court. Most of the Chateaux have an Italian bent, since the Italians at the time were considered the most enlightened. No doubt Chambord is the most spectacular, it may have never held the significance Versailles held and it is not blessed with a Le Notre garden, but it is a site to behold, no other castle can touch it, I love the story that Leonardo may have designed the staircase while he was a long term guest of the King, either way it is simply stunning. I high recommend this wonderful book, on a breathtaking subject.

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