A fairytale region winding its way along the Loire River from Orléans to Angers, the Loire Valley is one of France’s most enchanting destinations. With over 300 châteaux scattered across the valley, exploring a few of these historic homes is an absolute must.
While you could easily spend a week château-hopping, two days in the Loire Valley is the perfect amount of time to see the most famous sights and discover a few charming villages. Whether you’re taking a weekend trip from Paris or adding the Loire as a stop on your France itinerary, it’s well worth dedicating a couple of days here.
This 2-day Loire Valley itinerary is based on a long weekend trip I took from Paris. You can also find my full 3-day itinerary here. I’ve condensed it into two days, covering the must-sees and sharing practical tips to help you make the most of your time in this scenic region.
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2-Day Loire Valley Itinerary
Day 1
Château de Villandry
I’ve visited many beautiful gardens in France, but in my opinion, none compare to the gardens at the Château de Villandry.
When visiting, you can choose between a ticket for just the gardens or a combined ticket that includes both the château and the gardens. I highly recommend opting for the combined ticket.
While the gardens are undoubtedly the main attraction, Villandry’s interiors ended up being my favorite among all the châteaux we visited. The rooms feel bright and welcoming, and they are tastefully decorated with floral fabrics and soft colors. The rooftop terrace also offers the best view over the gardens.
The gardens themselves are absolutely spectacular. You’ll find vibrant flower beds at every turn, a fragrant herb garden, a playful maze, beautifully designed ornamental gardens, and a lush kitchen garden. Plan to spend at least a few hours here.
For more information on opening hours and ticket prices, visit the official website.
Duration of visit: 3 hours
Parking: Parking is available across the street from the château, and it is free of charge.
Lunch
At Villandry, there’s a small café at the château where you can pick up baguette sandwiches and light snacks. There’s also a bakery just a short walk away that sells simple sandwiches, but these are pretty basic, so don’t expect too much.
You also have a couple of great options near Château de Chenonceau. You can dine at L’Orangerie on the castle grounds, or head into the nearby town to eat at Edith, a restaurant that comes highly recommended.
Château de Chenonceau
From Villandry, it’s about a 40-minute drive to Chenonceau. The Château de Chenonceau is often called the most beautiful château in the Loire Valley, and I have to agree.
Built in the 16th century, this château stretches across the Cher River, creating one of the most unique and picturesque settings in the region. A long, tree-lined path leads you to the château, where you can explore both its interiors and formal Renaissance gardens.
Much of Chenonceau’s beauty can be credited to Katherine Briçonnet, the wife of Thomas Bohier (the king’s Chief Financial Advisor), who oversaw its initial design and construction.
Another famous resident, Catherine de’ Medici, added her own touches inspired by her Italian heritage, be sure to visit her fascinating apothecary in the Orangery; it’s one of my favorite rooms.
My advice: take your time and see it all. The rooms are beautifully decorated, featuring fresh flower arrangements in nearly every space, intricate wood paneling, rich tapestries, and antique furniture.
For the best view, walk to the far end of the gallery and step outside. There is a perfect vantage point overlooking the château and the river below. You can find it here.
You could easily spend half a day here. We stayed for about three hours and would have happily spent more time strolling around.
For more information on opening hours and tickets, visit the official website.
Parking: There is a large, free parking lot right at the entrance to the property.
Duration of visit: 3-4 hours
Chédigny
Your last stop of the day is a small village about 20 minutes from Chenonceau, known as “France’s Village of Roses.” Chédigny is the only village in the country to hold the prestigious Jardin Remarquable designation, an honor usually reserved for exceptional gardens.
We happened to visit during the annual Fête des Roses, when the entire town transforms into a living garden. Flower growers line the main street, showcasing their best rose varieties, and people from all over the region come to shop for summer plants.
A live band played, locals made crêpes, and wine and beer flowed freely. It was busy but felt wonderfully festive. If you’re visiting in May, I definitely recommend checking the festival dates – it was such a fun experience.
You only need about an hour to stroll through the village, but it’s a must-see if you’re visiting during rose season.
Dinner
We stayed in the town of Bléré, not too far from Chenonceau, and asked our B&B host for a dinner recommendation. We ended up at Au Tableau. The food was fine, nothing to write home about, but a convenient option.
Another option is to head to Loches. We didn’t have time to make it there, but it looks like a beautiful town and would be a great place to stop for dinner if time allows.
If you’re looking for something a bit more elevated, I had Restaurant Ardent and Restaurant Le Favori at Les Sources de Cheverny on my list. Both are high-end spots that will need to be reserved well in advance.
Day 2
Château du Clos Lucé
In 1516, Leonardo da Vinci was invited to France by King Francis I. He spent the last three years of his life living just outside Amboise at Clos Lucé, until his death in the spring of 1519.
The château is well preserved and furnished with Renaissance-era pieces. You can visit Leonardo da Vinci’s bedroom and his various workshops, including the spaces where he painted, sculpted, and sketched. His library and study are also open to explore.
One of the most fascinating parts of the visit is the model room, which showcases 40 different machines designed by Da Vinci and brought to life. It is impressive to see the range of his inventions, including the lifebuoy, early flying machines, and a version of the modern-day car jack. He was truly a man ahead of his time.
Around the château grounds, you will come across several of Leonardo’s inventions recreated in life-size form, like the one in the photo above. There is also a peaceful terrace café with a fountain, grassy fields, and shaded picnic tables if you plan to bring your own lunch.
Overall, I really enjoyed visiting this château. It may not be as grand as some of the others in the Loire Valley, but getting a glimpse into Leonardo da Vinci’s world made it one of the most memorable stops of the trip.
For opening hours and ticket information, visit the official website.
Duration of visit: 2.5-3.5 hours
Where to Park: We parked at Parking Des Tanneurs, just a short walk from Clos Lucé and the center of Amboise.
Amboise & Lunch
From the Château du Clos Lucé, follow Rue Victor Hugo into the center of Amboise. It is only about a 10-minute walk.
I recommend stopping in Amboise for lunch. The town is really lovely but definitely leans on the touristy side.
Since we wanted to get back on the road fairly quickly, we grabbed salads from Paul, a popular bakery chain in France. They also have baguette sandwiches. If you’re hoping for a sit-down option, here are a few highly-rated options:
After lunch, you have the option to visit the Château Royal d’Amboise or head straight to the next stop, the Château de Chambord.
Château de Chambord
The Château de Chambord is by far the most famous castle in the Loire Valley. It is one of the most remarkable Renaissance buildings in France and took over 150 years to build, starting in 1519.
The château is enormous and striking to see from the outside. The interior, however, is quite bare.
Only a handful of rooms are furnished, so most of your visit is spent wandering through large, empty spaces. That said, there are still a few highlights that make it worth visiting, especially the grand double-spiral staircase and the rooftop views.
The staircase is actually quite fun to see in person. Two separate staircases wind their way up through the center of the château, overlapping but never crossing paths. Someone could be climbing on the opposite side, and you would never see them. The design is often attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, although this has never been officially confirmed.
If you prefer to just see the château from the outside, you can pay to park and walk along the paths surrounding the castle for free. However, if you want to enter the formal gardens or explore the interior, you will need to purchase a ticket.
For info on opening hours and tickets, visit the official website.
Duration of visit: 3 hours
Parking: There is a paid parking lot that cost €6 per car.
Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire
We had about an hour and a half between our visit to Château de Chambord and dinner, and I had this little town saved on my map. We decided to stop by, and it turned out to be one of the most charming villages of the trip.
Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire is just a 10-minute drive from Chambord. We happened to visit during their local fête, and the town square was full of locals enjoying live music and sipping wine. We grabbed a couple of chocolate crêpes and then strolled through the village.
The town sits right along the Loire River and has a lovely church and a peaceful riverside walk. You only need about an hour here, but it’s definitely worth the stop.
Dinner
We booked dinner at Domus Restaurant that evening, and it was one of the best meals of the trip. It’s listed in the Michelin Guide and offers a reasonably priced set menu. We paid €45 per person (without wine), and the experience was excellent.
The food was well presented, flavorful, inventive, and overall, you get your money’s worth! I’d highly recommend it for dinner near Chambord.
How to Get Around the Loire Valley
The best way to get around the Loire Valley is by car. Unless you book a guided tour, it’s nearly impossible to visit all the places on this itinerary using public transportation in the same amount of time.
Parking is free at most châteaux and easy to find in the towns. The region is spread out and fairly rural, so traffic is light and the drives are scenic.
Where to rent a car
We visited the Loire Valley on a weekend trip from Paris. We took the train to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps station just outside of Tours and rented a car from Sixt through Discover Cars.
Tours is about 30 to 60 minutes from most of the Loire Valley’s main sights, so if you’re arriving from Paris, I recommend doing the same.
You can also rent a car in Paris, Nantes, Orléans, or Angers, depending on your itinerary.
How to Get to the Loire Valley
Arriving by Train: If you are arriving by train, I recommend taking the train to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps station in Tours. It is the most centrally located station for exploring the Loire Valley. From there, you can easily pick up a rental car and start your trip.
You can also take the train to Angers or Orléans and rent a car from either of those cities, depending on where you plan to begin your itinerary. All three options are well connected to Paris and other major cities in France.
Arriving by Plane: Nantes Atlantique Airport is the closest major airport to the Loire Valley. It is about a two-hour drive from Nantes to Villandry, making it a convenient starting point if you plan to rent a car and begin your trip right away.
The major airports in Paris are your next best option. From Paris, you can either rent a car and drive to the Loire Valley or take a train to a nearby station such as Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, Angers, or Orléans and pick up a rental car from there.
Do You Need to Purchase Tickets for the Châteaux in Advance?
We visited the Loire Valley at the end of May, right at the start of peak season, and had no issues purchasing tickets on arrival. With that being said, it’s always a good idea to double check the official website for each château, especially if you’re visiting during high season from June to September.
For instance, Château de Chenonceau and Château de Clos Lucé are both very popular, and during busy periods, there may be a long line to get tickets. Purchasing a timed-entry ticket in advance can help avoid long wait times.
Where to Stay in the Loire Valley
We stayed in the town of Bléré, which is close to Chenonceau and not too far from Amboise. It’s also pretty central, making it a convenient base for exploring the region. I would recommend staying somewhere in this area or near Amboise.
While you could stay in larger cities like Tours or Blois, I don’t recommend it. The Loire Valley countryside is incredibly charming, and staying in a small town or village is the best way to experience it.
Where we stayed: La Maison Leonard in Bléré is a characterful hotel run by Fabrice and his partner. This 5-bedroom guesthouse was cozy and the homemade breakfast was a highlight. The location couldn’t have been better, we were minutes from Chenonceau, an hour from Chambord, and 30 minutes from Villandry.
Other hotel recommendations:
- Amboise: Le Manoir de Saint Thomas
- Chambord: Chateau des Grotteaux Près Chambord
- Cheverny: Les Sources de Cheverny
When is the best time to visit the Loire Valley?
We visited the Loire Valley during the second-to-last weekend in May, and it was the perfect time to go. The roses were in full bloom, and the château gardens were overflowing with color.
Late April and early May are also wonderful times to visit, especially if you want to see wisteria and other early spring flowers. The weather is usually mild, though you may get some rain.
Summer and early fall are great options as well. You’ll enjoy longer days, plenty of sunshine, and gardens at their peak. Just keep in mind that June and July are the busiest months for tourism, so it can get a bit more crowded, and it’ll be hot.
If you have more time…
If you’re planning to stay more than 2 days, then be sure to read my 3 Days in the Loire Valley Guide. Otherwise, here are a few additional sights to add to your itinerary.
Châteaux
- Château de Cheverny
- Château d’Azay-le-Rideau
- Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire
- Château Royal d’Amboise
- Royal Château of Blois
Towns & Villages
- Montrésor
- Saumur
- Loches
- Beaulieu-lès-Loches
- Saint-Aignan
- Candes-Saint-Martin
Loire Valley Tour Options
Whether you’re looking to take a day trip from Paris to the Loire Valley, or book a wine tasting, here are a few tour options to look into.
- Day Trip from Paris: Loire Valley Castles Day Trip from Paris with Wine Tasting
- Day Trip from Tours: Loire Valley Day Tour Chambord and Chenonceau plus Lunch at a Private Castle
- Hot Air Balloon Ride: Hot Air Balloon Flight over Chenonceau
- Wine Tasting: Loire Valley Wine Tour & Food Pairing, Vouvray