Apart from the generic term "castle" which designates them all, nothing seems to link the old dark fortresses to the Chateaux of the Loire. It is true that between these two types of "castles" appearing out of "that thicker than Cimmerian fog of Gothic time" came the Renaissance... At that time appeared Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau and Chambord, symbols of a time of revival, that of painting, arts and sciences, but also of sculpture and architecture. On reading this work one conclusion becomes apparent : Renaissance and Classical architecture in France was by no means a copy or an evolution of Italian architecture, but a transformation in depth of French Gothic architecture, accompanied by new elements, ornaments and decorations of Italian origin.CONTENTS : Introduction – Milestones - The great «financiers» of the Loire valley – The first Renaissance (1511-1520) – The height of italians arts (1515-1547) – Architecture à la française (1538-1620) – Bird’s eye view of a country château (XVIth-XVIIth centuries) – Evolution of the plans – Evolution of façades – Classicism (1620-1671) – Versailles… - The Gardens – The interior space – Glossary – From châteaux to gardens, a French tour.