Planning a trip to the magnificent Loire Valley? Just two hours southwest of Paris, the “Valley of Kings”– a UNESCO World Heritage site– boasts stunning castles along the mighty Loire river. Avoid the tourist crowds and head to the Château du Rivau, located near Chinon in the heart of the Touraine. This is one of the oldest castles in the Loire- with incredible architecture that’s a melange of medieval and Renaissance styles. Indeed, you can still make out the original square layout, typical… (View original article)