Here is our Top 10 selection of must-see castles, ranked by popularity and photographic interest:

1. Chambord Castle

This is the giant of the Loire châteaux: 440 rooms and a double staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci. From the helicopter, you can admire the perfect symmetry of the Greek cross plan and the surrounding national forest. A must for wide-angle photo enthusiasts.

2. Chenonceau Castle

Nicknamed the "Château des Dames", Chenonceau unfurls its gallery above the Cher River. The flight over captures the mirror effect on the water and Catherine de Médicis' labyrinth. A living postcard!

3. Château d'Amboise & Clos Lucé

In just a few minutes' flight, you'll be able to make out the Royal Citadel and Leonardo da Vinci's manor house, linked by terraced gardens. Bonus: panoramic views of the old town and the winding Loire River.

4. Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire

Famous for its International Garden Festival, Chaumont emerges at the edge of a meander. Our pilots stabilize the aircraft to give you the best angle on its historic stables.

5. Château de Blois

Four wings, four architectural styles! Seen from above, the Gothic, Renaissance and Classical influences around the courtyard can be read like a history book.

6. Villandry Castle

Villandry's formal gardens take on their full geometric dimension from the air: decorative kitchen garden, labyrinth and love garden form a perfect plant kaleidoscope.

7. Château d'Azay-le-Rideau

Azay sits on a small island, its turrets reflected in the Indre River. A close-up view reveals the sculpted dormer windows and inverted hull frame.

8. Château de Langeais

With its still-functioning drawbridge and feudal keep, Langeais offers rare medieval snapshots, contrasting with the neighboring Renaissance palaces.

9. Château de Cheverny

A source of inspiration for Moulinsart in Tintin, Cheverny is distinguished by its immaculate facade and English-style park. Look out for the family of deer that often graze on the edge of the woods!

10. Château de Saumur

Custodian of the Loire-Thouet confluence, Saumur is the setting for the cavalry schools. A twilight flight reveals the tuffeau stone, which captures the rosy hues of the sun.