The Loire Valley and its châteaux exert an irresistible charm on tourists from all over the world. American visitors join Japanese, Italians, Germans, Spanish, English and of course the French as they climb the worn steps of the keeps, penetrate into the dark underground tunnels and stroll through the majestic suites of royal apartments. Discover the most prestigious châteaux in the Loire Valley - Blois, Amboise or Chambord - which were constructed or remodeled purely for the pleasure of the kings. Others, smaller but no less splendid, such as Chenonceau and Azay-le-Rideau, were built by powerful state treasurers. Explore the intimate mansions where artists and authors worked - the Saint-Cosme priory, Ronsard's home, and the manor house of Clos-Lucé, a gift from François I to Leonardo da Vinci. And, finally, visit an " imaginary museum " that contains the most splendid objects from these remarkable dwellings. These 1000 images take up you on an architectural and artistic journey back in time through the magnificent Loire region - the " Garden of France " - as magnificent now as it was centuries ago.