RIGNY-USSÉ, France — They rise above the French countryside. Sprawling estates. Spectacular gardens. Castles in the Loire Valley that are filled with centuries of history.
"There are plenty of well-known castles," said Stanislas de Blacas, with Chateau d'Usse. "We have lots of small castles. Sometimes, you don't know if it's a manor or a castle. But it's a very rich place in France for history."
Castle-hopping is a popular activity in this part of the Olympic host country.
"We have lots of people from the area," de Blacas said. "They come every year. They want to see the gardens, they want to see the renovation, they want to see new collections. You have lots of architecture here, lots of history, and you also have something a bit different that other castles don't have."
There is so much to see at Chateau d'Usse.
"This castle has been built during a long period of time," de Blacas said. "The first part of the castle was built around (year) 1,000 — so it's 1,000 years old. But, it's a small part. The big part of the castle was built in the 17th century."
One of the two dining rooms is from the 18th century. There are 17 sleeping rooms, including one fit for a king.
"It was tradition to have a room for the king. When the duke owned the castle, he made this room in case the king comes and wants to the sleep in the castle," de Blacas said.
De Blacas operates Chateau d'Usse for his father.
"I grew up in Paris. We used to spend maybe two months a year here for holidays," de Blacas said. "It's like a countryside house."
There are hundreds of paintings, amazing views, even plastic furniture and toys in a room because de Blacas has little kids. There is a chapel on the property and a room with a stunning look at fashion history.
"We do a costume exhibition every year with different periods," de Blacas said. "So now, we're early 20th century."
When you wander into the library, you will find a book detailing the history of Chateau d'Usse, showing this castle hasn't changed much in 300 years.
"This is the document from 1699 from the end of the 17th century," de Blacas said. "We have a very nice picture of the castle, which shows it's almost the same as it is today."
Outside the castle is a collection of orange trees and lemon trees, some dating back to the 17th century.
Inside Chateau d'Usse is an exhibition drawing for the interest of families with children. When you climb steps, you find yourself in the middle of a popular fairytale. Many of the rooms in this part of the castle tell the story of "Sleeping Beauty."
The man who wrote the fairytale was inspired after seeing Chateau d'Usse.
"He used to come to Usse. We have some letters between he and the previous owner of Usse," de Blacas said. "That's why it became the castle of the Sleeping Beauty."
But, de Blacas does not believe there is a direct link between Chateau D'Usse and the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in California.
"I don't think the people from Walt Disney came here," de Blacas said. "They made a castle from their imagination, not copying this castle."
The connection to the fairytale is designed to make castle-hopping fun for kids. Many of the characters are here, including Aurora and Prince Charming, to save the day with a kiss.
"So, it's about the Sleeping Beauty fairytale. Of course, people love this. Children love this," said de Blacas who says the idea was the result of his own childhood when castle-hopping was not fun.
"When I was very young and a young child, my father used to take us to other castles to visit," de Blacas said. "We heard a lot about history and architecture and those kinds of things. Of course, 5-year-old children aren't interested in this. So, my parents thought it would be a good idea to have a tour attractive for children. That's why they made the Sleeping Beauty tour."
Most people who visit France spend time at the popular sites in the Olympic host city.
"If you go only to Paris, you might not come to Usse. But honestly, if you want to visit France, don't go to Paris," de Blacas said. "There are so many nice places, especially the Loire Valley in France, which deserves a holiday trip."