The Château d’Azay-le-Rideau is an innovative blend of 16th-century building styles in the beautiful Loire Valley. Surrounded by 8 hectares of English-style gardens, this French Renaissance castle is as beautiful as it is storied.

Sitting pretty on its own island in the Indre River, this historic Château has been here since the reign of Francis I. Constructed between 1518 and 1527, it's just gone through a major restoration to restore the slate roofing and early 16th-century framework.

All scrubbed up, it shows off its fresh face and historic trappings. Check out the lavishly furnished rooms, the intricately decorated staircase within the castle walls, and the amazing ceiling decorations.

And on the outside, the 19th-century English-style gardens are the perfect place to walk and wait for a bluebird to land on your shoulder.