The 16th-century château and formal gardens of Villandry in the Loire Valley, France
From forbidding fortresses to charming châteaux and castles, the splendid structures of the Loire Valley reflect lives of opulence and intrigue. Medieval fortresses built for defense with moats and towers gradually gave way to spectacular Renaissance pleasure palaces. Sumptuous elegance, not comfort, was the primary design principle of the châteaux. Ornamented with paintings and sculptures and surrounded by reflecting pools and perfectly manicured gardens, they make the mansions of today’s rich and famous seem austere by comparison
Art historian Janetta Rebold Benton showcases these romantic and historic places, and sets them in the context of French history. Appropriately, the afternoon includes a break to enjoy a glass of French wine.
10–11 a.m. The Days of Knights
Step into the medieval and Renaissance eras at the Château de Saumur, depicted in the Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry; Sully-sur-Loire, a prison for Joan of Arc; Langeais, a medieval stronghold that became a Renaissance châteaux; and Châteaudun, built over three centuries.
11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Country Life and Court Life
Follow the shift from fortress to castle with a look at rural La Devinière, home of Rabelais; the Clos-Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci’s last home; Azay-le-Rideau, one of the earliest French Renaissance palaces, built on an island in the Indre River; and the Royal Château de Blois, a unique example of the development of French architecture from the 13th through the 17th centuries.
12:30–1:30 p.m. Lunch
A French-inspired boxed lunch is provided
1:30–2:45 p.m. Luxury and Liaisons
The high life along the Loire: Château de Chambord, with a miniature village on its roof, is the largest castle in the valley. Chenonceau, the “château of the ladies,” was Henry II’s gift to his mistress Diane de Poitiers; when Henry died, his wife Catherine de Medici forced her to switch palaces and move to Chaumont.
2:45–3:15 p.m. Break for a glass of wine and a Parisian-inspired snack.
3:15–4 p.m. Renaissance Gardens
Examine plantings, plans, and meaning at Chenonceau, Villandry, and other sumptuous gardens in the Loire Valley.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit
Smithsonian Connections
Before Walt Disney laid claim to it, Sleeping Beauty’s castle was among the literary real estate created by Charles Perrault, the French writer who popularized the classic fairy tale. His real-life inspiration might have been the lavish Chateau d’Ussé at the edge of the Chinon forest, where he reportedly stayed while writing the story. Smithsonian.com offers a look inside and out—complete with evil queen.
