The Loire Valley châteaux (castles) make this central region one of the most popular destinations in France for visitors, and with good reason. Just two hours from Paris, the mighty river flows slowly through a gorgeous landscape where medieval fortresses and Renaissance palaces are strung out like jewels along the banks. During the Renaissance, François I made Amboise his capital, making it the aristocratic, artistic, and intellectual heart of France. Chambord, the largest of all the châteaux in the Loire Valley, was built by François I as a hunting lodge. Today, the whole valley is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with the Statue of Liberty in New York, the Great Wall of China, and many of the world’s most important places.