Chateau des Tertres - Onzain, Loire Valley

Chain:

RDS

Location:

In the heart of the Loire Valley chateaux country, between Chambord and Chenonceaux, and close to Cheverny, Amboise, Blois, Chaumont and its International Festival of Gardens.

Facilities:

• Internet access

Single room

Double /Twin room

Triple room

Check-in Time:

15.00

Check-out Time:

12.00

Children & Extra Guest Policy:

Free extra bed for 1 child under 12 y.o. sharing room with parents. Meals to be paid locally.
2 children under 12 y.o. sharing room parents = triple room. Meals to be paid locally.

Local Attractions:

- Chateau de Chaumont-sur-Loire
A fortified castle with Renaissance decoration. This chateau was purchased by Catherine de Medicis in 1560. She forced Diane de Poitiers to sell Chenonceau for Chaumont. The writer Madame de Stael stayed in the chateau in 1810, but did not enjoy living here. Overlooking the Loire, this chateau has been influenced by various periods. It retains a fortress shape, although displaying a refined Renaissance decoration. Inside, Catherine de Medicis and Diane de Poitiers' bedrooms are a reminder of the rivals' sojourn here. The Council Room is paved with magnificent majolicas and decorated with tapestries. Finally, the stables, built for Prince de Broglie in 1877, deserve a visit, as well as the International Conservatory of Parks, Gardens and Landscape (Conservatoire International des Parcs et Jardins et du Paysage), located in the farmhouse. It welcomes the annual International Garden Festival.
- Chateau de Fougeres-sur-Bievre
You won't be disappointed by this chateau's medieval look and vast interiors. The Chateau de Fougeres-sur-Bievre has an austere grace. It was begun in 1450 on the initiative of Pierre de Refuge, Louix XI's treasurer, who wanted to build a defensive chateau on even ground. His grandson, Jean de Villebresmes, then added a more attractive aspect. On visiting the three floors inside you will be impressed by the great size of the rooms, the timberwork of the seignioral lodgings, in the form of a boat's hull, and that of the cone-shaped roofs of the towers. Outside is a garden of medieval inspiration, and an aviary.
- Church of St Nicolas - Blois
A beautiful Roman building. Fine 12C/13C Romanesque church. Note the historiated capitals of the ambulatory's radiating chapels.
- Anne de Bretagne Pavilion - Blois
It houses the tourist office. Decorated with a stone balustrade, carved with the initials of Louis XII and Anne de Bretagne, it houses the tourist office.
- Chateau de Blois
Inventiveness, intrigue, extravagance , the site's key words. An amazing staircase, and the famous murder of the Duke of Guise, this might well be sufficient to ensure the fame of this amazing castle with its mixture of flamboyant Gothic, Italian Renaissance and classical layout but, above all, an inventiveness and fantasy occasionally almost extravagant. Striking The facade des Loges. Mysterious Catherine de Medicis' closet with its secret cupboards: did she keep lovingly concocted poisons here? No-one really knows, but does it matter?
- Blois Fine Arts Museum
Collection to suit all tastes including the Duke of Guise In the Louis-XII wing, you will see a fine collection of 16C and 17C tapestries, a series of fifty terracotta medallions by Jean-Baptiste Nini . Those who are keen on history will be able to admire, in the appartements of the Fran?ois Ier wing, the paintings on the subject of the murder of the Duke of Guise, a man who "achieved more greatness by his death than when he was alive".
- Houdini's House of Magic - Blois
State-of-the-art illusion. This 19C residence tells the story of Robert Houdin (Houdini), the famous Blois magician and escapologist, who also inspired many eccentric authors of comic strips. Visitors will travel the world of illusion, on the heels of the great magicians, and then discover Houdini's fantastic chamber, followed by an illusionist show in the magicians' theatre.
- Cathedral of St Louis - Blois
A cathedral illuminated by a disciple of Mondrian It was devastated by a hurricane in 1678. Fortunately, Colbert's wife was from Blois and the Minister had it rebuilt in a heavy, Gothic style. Since the end of 2000, the cathedral has been literally illuminated by the stained-glass windows, verging on an almost refined simplicity and representing a veritable book of glasswork, made by Jean Mauret, master of stained-glass and designed by the Dutch artist, Jan Dibbets, creator of the Meridienne Arago in Paris.
- Chateau de Beauregard - Cellettes
The Portrait Gallery is a stunning specimen of art and fantasy and a golden opportunity to brush up on the history of France. After going through the antechamber and former kitchens on the ground floor, take the stairs to the South Gallery (fine 16C and 17C furniture) which leads to the Cabinet des Grelots*, a charming little room fitted out in the mid-16C by Scibec de Carpi. The Portrait Gallery** has retained its splendid old blue and white Delft tiling depicting an army on the march. The wood panelling (the ceiling dates from 1624 and the walls) was painted by Pierre Mosnier. However the most interesting feature of the gallery is the collection of 327 historical portraits, known as the "Illustres".
- Blois National Stud Farm
Thoroughbreds have succeeded the Carmelites. About thirty thoroughbreds and twenty or so draught horses (Percheron breed) have succeeded the Carmelites in this 19C convent.
- Clos-Luce - Amboise
Leonardo da Vinci's charming manor. This Summer residence was chosen by Charles VIII for his wife, Anne of Brittany. Leonardo da Vinci came to live at the Clos-Luce in 1516. On the ground floor, you can see some of the magnificent frescoes from the master's workshop (to which a protective coating was added in the 19C). The first floor houses the bedroom in which he died in 1519, as well as his study. Finally, in the basement, some extraordinary machines show how much Leonardo da Vinci was ahead of his time.

Getting There:

Train staions: Onzain 7 Km. / Blois 14 Km.
By car: A 10 Exit Blois The route to Chateau des Tertres is indicated by signs marked with directional arrows starting in the centre of Onzain.