Royal Waters

The Loire Valley became the playground of French royalty during the Renaissance, earning its nickname as the "Garden of France." But this royal connection goes deeper than magnificent châteaux. The river itself was the reason royalty came here—its gentle valleys, mild climate, and fertile soil created an earthly paradise that attracted power and wealth.

The châteaux tell stories not just of kings and queens but of the diverse communities that built and maintained them. At Chambord, Italian craftsmen brought by François I worked alongside local masons to create the famous double-helix staircase. The gardens of Villandry were restored in the early 20th century by Joachim Carvallo, a Spanish-born scientist, and his American wife, showing how the Loire has always attracted international dreamers.

Today, many château workers come from around the world. At Chenonceau, guards and guides include young people from Morocco, Romania, and Senegal, part of France's modern diversity. "When I explain the history of Catherine de Medici to visitors," says Aïcha Ben Salah, a guide at the château, "I think about how she was also an immigrant, an Italian trying to make her way in France. The story resonates differently when you've lived it yourself."