If exploring the endlessly varied, unique, and breathtakingly opulent corridors of 16th-Century castles is your thing, then a stop in the Loire Valley is a must.
This region in France is a fertile agricultural area, as well as home to over 1,000 castles (chateaux in French), so you’ll find a marvelous combination of luxurious palatial estates and gardens, mouth-watering cuisine, and delightful wines to sample. Really, what could be better?
The Loire Valley chateaux were a collection of royal palaces built and used by various kings (and their traveling entourages) throughout the Renaissance. They were most often owned by kings or their ministers, or gifted to their numerous mistresses.
One thing I love about traveling in this region is that all the private tours can be fully customized. That means that we can work together to come up with an itinerary that perfectly suits your interests, so your tour of Loire Valley Chateaux can be tailored just for you. It’s enough to make you feel like Renaissance-era royalty!
Disclosure: There are some affiliate links below, and I may receive compensation if you book through them (at no additional cost to you). This did not influence inclusion – these tours and hotels I’ve vetted and truly recommend.
CHOOSING A HOME BASE + GETTING AROUND
If your time is limited, you might like to take a day trip from Paris and prioritize the first 3 castles on this list. If you have time for an overnight stay, you can see all six châteaux in 2 days. I’m generally a fan of slllllowing down and savoring the beauty this region has to offer by adding an extra day (or more!).
It’s a good idea to pick a home base to operate from while you’re in the Valley. My favorite spot is Amboise, in the east of the region — it’s gorgeous, easily accessible by train from Paris, and perfect, especially for first-time castle-hunters.
You can even stay in a small chateau if you like. I personally love Hôtel Le Choiseul and Château De Pray.
Getting around during your time in the Loire Region is relatively simple. You can rent a car or hire a driver-guide. Loire Valley Tours offers both small-group and (fully customizable!) private tours. While these tours could be seen as a splurge, they’re actually a great value: you don’t have to fuss with a rental car, and entry fees and a private guide are included.
Let’s begin our tour! Here are my top 6 recommendations for must-see Loire Valley chateaux.
Château De Chenonceau
One of the most-visited château in the region, it’s a great idea to hit this one first thing in the morning or after 5pm to beat the crowds.
Chenonceau spans the Cher River and was the first palace built for non-defensive reasons — and that attention to pleasure, leisure, and luxury shows in this graceful, well-maintained estate.
Don’t miss the 200-foot long, three-story Grand Gallery, which runs the width of the river and houses extravagant ballrooms where royalty threw wild parties. It also served as a military hospital in WWI and a secret escape path for Nazi-resistance fighters and Jews during WWII.
Château De Chambord
Chambord weighs in at 6 times the size of the average Loire Valley chateaux — so if it’s jaw-dropping immensity you’re looking for, you’ll find it here.
Boasting 440 rooms (80 of which are open to the public), 365 fireplaces, and a dizzying double-helix staircase, Chambord was the place for the aristocracy to come and enjoy a world-class hunting experience. And it’s perfectly designed for hunting: it’s surrounded by Europe’s largest enclosed forest park, which also serves as a wild game preserve.
Château Du Clos Lucé
Located right in the city of Amboise, this castle is a must for Leonardo da Vinci fans: it was his final home, and you can stand in the room where he died in May of 1519. The chateau itself isn’t as spectacularly furnished as some of the others, but it provides a marvelous look into the work and mind of da Vinci, including sketches, many fascinating models of his inventions, and beautiful surrounding gardens.
Cassie’s Tip: Don’t forget the amazing food and wine! The Loire Valley is well-known for its delicious cuisine and refreshing wines. The lush valley grows all sorts of local fruits and vegetables, and the wooded areas are home to a variety of animals (deer and wild boar) that are popular in Loire cuisine. Almost all the surrounding towns feature wonderful restaurants, and it’s well worth your time to tour some of the area’s many wineries (consider this vineyard tour hosted by wine experts Keith and Linda, who are originally from Boston).
Château De Villandry
This is the palace to explore for garden enthusiasts. In fact, the gardens of Villandry are considered the best in the Loire Valley, and some say in all of France. Featuring some 85,000 plants, all meticulously maintained, the sprawling 10-acre park showcases flowers, sculpted shrubbery in elaborate geometric patterns, topiaries, herb and vegetable gardens, and decorative ponds, tunnels, fountains, and trellises.
Château De Cheverny
Still occupied by its owners (the well-liked Marquis de Vibraye and his family live on the third floor, which is not open to visitors), this chateau has one very unique characteristic: because it was built and furnished in a mere 30 years, its architecture and interior design are all of one visual piece. The Hurault family’s descendents have owned this castle since 1604, and there is an intimacy you can feel in the home and on the grounds.
Chateau de Cheverny is also home to a pack of over 100 hunting hounds. Visitors eagerly await observing their entertaining feeding most days at 11:30. The Chateau’s hunting heritage remains an important part of its identity today.
Cassie’s Tip: The Adventures of Tintin was based at Cheverny. Fans will enjoy the free-standing museum dedicated to the comic. Non-comic fans should head right for the wine tastings at La Maison des Vins by the château gate.
Château d’Azay-le-Rideau
This château is built on an island in the Indre River. Like many Loire Valley chateaux, its almost fairy-tale-like design and decoration bear the influence of the woman who was often left behind when her husband was away on official royal business.
Like Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau wasn’t built for protection. Its Italian-inspired interiors, lavish rooms, and magnificent staircases are all a celebration of luxury for its own sake.
Cassie’s Tip: The Loire Valley is a top choice for bike-tourists from around the world, and the town of Azay-le-Rideau is considered a prime base for riders. It has many designated paths and easy roads that lead to its namesake castle and other castles in the area.
SEEING THE LOIRE VALLEY CHATEAUX FROM PARIS
One other option is doing a quick day-trip tour of the Loire Valley Chateaux from Paris. This group tour includes roundtrip transportation in a luxury coach and 3 châteaux (Chenonceau, Chambord, and Cheverny). Or, for a true VIP experience, strongly consider this Private Tour which includes visits to Chenonceau, Chambord and Clos Lucé, two wine tastings, and private roundtrip transportation from your Paris hotel.
Related Post: Unforgettable Day Trips from Paris (Some Will Suprise You!)
HOW DO YOU WANT TO SEE THE LOIRE VALLEY CHATEAUX?
This entire region has so much to offer! The chateaux themselves are magnificent, and you could spend months exploring them all. But this place is also rich with history, and has played a significant role in the geopolitical formation of France. With a custom-designed itinerary, I can help you identify the castles you want to visit, the food you want to sample, the wine you want to sip, and the roads you want to travel.
Cassie Tetro
Itinerary Designer
& Certified Travel Expert
(Paris, London & Rome)
WHO AM I?
I’m Cassie Tetro, an Itinerary Designer and Certified Travel Expert for Paris, London, and Rome — my three favorite cities!
I help independent travelers like you save time and eliminate confusion with customized point-to-point itineraries crafted to your interests, preferences, travel pace, and style.
I take care of every aspect of your trip before you walk out your front door — tickets, reservations, tours, maps, transportation — so you can relax, soak in the magic, and enjoy a frustration-free vacation with a travel plan that’s as unique as you are.
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