With its fairytale white stone footbridge, the chateau was built between 1513 and 1521, and is reflected in the waters of the Cher. Renowned for its architecture, the wealth of its collections and its furniture, Chenonceau is known as the "Chateau des Dames" (the Ladies' castle). Catherine Briçonnet, Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Médicis, Louise de Lorraine, Gabrielle d’Estrées, Madame Dupin and Madame Pelouze all resided in this flower of Loire Valley.
The Chateau de Chenonceau is 12 km from the Manoir Saint-Thomas.

The Chateau Royal de Blois evokes the power and day to day life of the Renaissance Court. This royal palace in the Loire Valley was the first project initiated by Francis I. Built in the heart of Blois, it tells the story of 1000 years of French history and architecture. Each wing bears witness to a different era. The most striking of these is the Renaissance wing with its Façade des Loges and its incredible spiral staircase. The Chateau de Blois is 35 km from the Manoir Saint-Thomas.

Inspired by Chambord, the Chateau de Valençay is known for its harmonious architecture and majestic park which more than hold their own against any other Loire Valley chateaux. With its Renaissance and Classical inspirations, it is surrounded by magnificent French gardens, and an English park. In 1803, Napoleon acquired the Chateau de Valençay for his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand who took care of it until his death.
The Chateau de Valençay is 60 km from the Manoir Saint-Thomas.

Dreamt up by Francis I, the chateau was both a precursor to Versailles and is an example of even greater architectural excess, with its immense, delicately chiselled, white nave, the 365 chimneys which dominate its roofs, its towers and bell towers which seem to defy the heavens for all eternity. The Chateau de Chambord marked the beginning of the French Renaissance, combining Italian principles and French traditions. The largest chateau in the Loire Valley, it counts 426 rooms! 
The Chateau de Chambord is 52 km from the Manoir Saint-Thomas.

Finished in 1536, Villandry was the last of the great chateaux to be built by the Loire. Everything about the Renaissance is here, in the architecture, the paintings, the tapestries, and expertly crafted arabesques. The chateau also owes its reputation to its exceptional terraced gardens arranged over several levels, which encase it like a jewel box: the water garden, the leisure garden, the vegetable garden...
The Chateau de Villandry is 40 km from the Manoir Saint-Thomas.

The forest, prairies and streams offer a magnificent setting for the architecture of Montpoupon. A number of restoration projects have returned Montpoupon to its original Renaissance design which you can now admire today. The same family has lived in this private chateau since 1857. Come explore original rooms such as the King's Chamber and the Kitchen, with over 150 copper utensils. The Veneur museum holds a unique collection of hunting and  horse-riding items and artefacts.
The Chateau de Montpoupon is at Céré-la-Ronde, 30 km from the Manoir Saint-Thomas.