About Loire Valley Châteaux

If you conduct an online search of the Loire Valley Châteaux, you will see there are no less than 300 in the region. You could spend an entire year visiting all of them and not see the same thing twice. The chateaus are an illustration of the Renaissance design in France. Some are fortified castles where the French kings of the 10th resided, while others are homes built 500 years later. Nobles were drawn to build in the region because if you wanted to be in favor with the king, you had to be near the king. 

 Royal residences included Chambord [link to the other attraction], Chenonceau [link to the other attraction], Blois [link to the other attraction], Loches which was captured by Richard the Lionheart, and Chinon where Joan of Arc met Charles VII. The chateaus of the nobility have in part become art galleries and museums. Brissac is the tallest château, Brézé boasts the deepest moats, while Montsoreau is the only châteaux built in the Loire riverbed.  Some châteaus had their own churches, some were built on hilltops, and some are now hotels and bed and breakfasts where you can stay to visit the rest.

 

Must See

  • Château of Blois
  • Château of Cheverny
  • Château of Amboise
  • Château of Chenonceau
  • Château and gardens of Villandry
  • Château d’Ussé 
  • Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire 
  • Château de Chambord

How to reach

By Train:

It is 1 hour TGV train ride (or a 2.5 to 3-hour drive) from Paris. The train stops in Saint-Pierre-des-Corps station. There is a shuttle train connecting you to the main station in the center of town

Tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes and clothing
  • Stay hydrated as you may have to walk a lot
  • Get a Pass Châteaux to save money
  • If you live in Europe you can buy the tickets online
  • The tickets will be sent to your local address in the mail within 10 days
  • You will need at least 2 to 3 days to see a few of the castles. So plan your trip accordingly
  • If you are visiting for the first time, a guided tour will help
  • Most of the castles are located in very small villages in the countryside. So pack everything you need
  • Although this place is called a valley, it’s actually really flat, which makes it perfect for cycling

 

Visit Time

Sunday:               9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

Monday:              9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday:              9:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday:        9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Thursday:            9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Friday:                 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Saturday:             9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Time Icon

Waiting Time

No

 

Entrance Fee Icon

Entrance Fee

No

 

Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

10 to 12 hours

 

Weather Icon

Weather

Light Rain 11.66°C

 

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