The Loire Valley, about two hours southwest of Paris, offers France’s greatest array of châateau experiences. Wander through sumptuous interiors, cared for by noble families who’ve lived there for centuries. View packs of carefully -bred hounds yelping for red meat as they await their next hunt. Standing on a rooftop the size of a cathedral amid countless chimneys, imagine you’re the king’s mistress watching proudly as your man’s men flush the deer out of the woods and your Louis or Henry or Charles proceeds to shoot them dead. Paddle a canoe under a fairy-tale chateau that gracefully spans the Cher River. The challenge for any visitor: how to choose among the countless castle thrills of the Loire Valley….