Just an hour south of Paris, the Loire Valley is one of the most beautiful regions in France. With more than 300 châteaux scattered across the countryside, rolling vineyards, quiet riverside towns, and some of the most stunning gardens I’ve ever seen, it has that storybook magic you hope for when visiting Europe.
The Loire Valley stretches across central France and follows the path of the Loire River, the longest river in the country. It lies between the cities of Orléans and Angers, with charming towns like Amboise, Chinon, Loches, and Saumur along the way.
It’s a big region, and you definitely won’t see it all in three days. But we planned our route carefully to make the most of our time and focus on the highlights.
In this 3-day Loire Valley itinerary, I’m sharing exactly what we did, where we stayed, and what we ate, along with practical tips like where to park at each château. We treated this as a long weekend trip from Paris, so if you’re planning to do the same, I’ve included all the details on how to get there below.
3 Days in the Loire Valley
Day 1
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 of Amboise at Clos Lucé, until his death in the spring of 1519.
The château is beautifully 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 neat to learn about all 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’ll 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’re planning 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 more 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
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 Chenonceau.
Château de Chenonceau
From Amboise, it is only a 15-minute drive to Chenonceau. The Château de Chenonceau is often called the most beautiful château in the Loire Valley, and I would have to agree.
Built in the 16th century, the château spans the Cher River, creating one of the most unique and picturesque settings in the region. A long, tree-lined path leads to the château, where you can explore both the interior and the surrounding gardens.
Much of its beauty can be credited to the vision of Katherine Briçonnet, the wife of Thomas Bohier (Chief Financial Advisor to the monarchy), who oversaw its early design and construction.
Another notable resident was Catherine de’ Medici, who brought touches of her Italian heritage to the château. Be sure to visit her fascinating apothecary in the Orangery. It is one of my favorite rooms.
My advice is to take your time and see it all. The rooms are well decorated, with fresh flowers in nearly every space, detailed wood paneling, tapestries, and stunning furniture.
My favorite part of the visit was the long gallery. With its black and white checkered floors and elegant simplicity, it feels refreshingly modern among the other Renaissance-era splendor.
For the best view, walk to the far end of the gallery and step outside. There is a perfect vantage point that gives you a great look at the château over the river. You can find it here.
You could easily spend half a day here. We stayed for about three hours and could have spent longer. The gardens are absolutely worth wandering through, so give yourself time to enjoy everything.
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.” It is the only village in the country to hold the prestigious Jardin Remarquable designation, which is typically reserved for exceptional gardens.
We happened to visit during the annual Fête des Roses, when the entire town turns into a living garden. Flower growers set up along the main street to showcase their best rose varieties, and people from all over the region come to shop for summer plants.
A live band was playing, locals were making crêpes, and wine and beer were flowing. It was busy but festive. If you are visiting in May, I definitely recommend checking the festival dates. It was such a fun experience.
You only need about an hour to walk through the village, but it is a must-see if you’re visiting during rose season.
Dinner
We stayed in the town of Bléré, not too far from Chédigny, and asked our hotel owner 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 de Cheverny
I wanted to visit this château specifically for its interiors. Many of the famous châteaux in the Loire Valley are state-owned and sparsely furnished. While they may be grand from the outside, the inside can sometimes feel a little empty or uninspiring.
Château de Cheverny has been owned by the same family for more than six centuries, and it feels like a home someone lives in.
In my opinion, the most exceptional room is the dining room, which features a stunning hand-painted ceiling and detailed wall paneling. The panels tell the story of the Spanish novel Don Quixote and were painted by Jean Monier in the 17th century.
The tour leads you through several other rooms, including the king’s bedchamber, the arms room, and the grand salon.
For more information and current opening hours, you can check the château’s official website.
Duration of visit: 2 hours
Parking: Free parking is available in the château’s parking lot.
Château de Chambord
The Chateau de Chambord is by far the most famous castle in the Loire Valley. It is one of the most impressive Renaissance buildings in France and took over 150 years years to build, starting in the year 1519.
The château is enormous and impressive 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. With that said, there are still a couple of highlights that make it worth a visit, especially the grand double-spiral staircase and the rooftop views.
The staircase is actually quite cool 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 drinking 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 beautiful church and a nice riverside walk. You only need an hour here.
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 beautifully presented, flavorful, inventive, and overall, you get your money’s worth! I’d highly recommend it for dinner near Chambord.
Day 3
Château de Villandry
I have visited a lot of beautiful gardens in France, but in my opinion, none compare to the gardens at the Château de Villandry.
For your visit, you have the option to choose between a ticket for the gardens or a combined ticket for both the château and the gardens. I recommend getting the combined ticket.
While the gardens are the real star of the show here, Villandry’s interiors ended up being my favorite of all the châteaux we visited. The rooms were bright and tastefully decorated with floral fabrics and soft colors. The rooftop also has the best view over the gardens.
The gardens themselves are absolutely stunning, with colorful flowers everywhere you look, an herb garden, a maze, the ornamental gardens, and the kitchen garden. Plan for at least a few hours here because you’ll want to take your time wandering around.
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.
Château d’Azay-le-Rideau
Just a 15-minute drive from Villandry, the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau is a 16th century Renaissance castle with an idyllic setting on the banks of the Indre River.
We really enjoyed walking around the grounds and taking a quick tour of the inside. The château is much smaller than many of the others you’ll visit, but the setting and town itself make it worth visiting. There is a nice café in one of the outbuildings – we stopped here for some afternoon tea.
For lunch, there are several restaurants in town to choose from. We picked up sandwiches and quiche from a nearby bakery called Au Faim Palais. A great option if you’re looking for something quick and cheap!
Duration of visit: 2 hours
Parking: Paid parking is available here. We parked for free across the river here.
Château d’Ussé
Our final château of the weekend was Château d’Ussé. It was recommended by our hotel host, so we decided to squeeze in one more stop.
The history of this château dates back over two thousand years. However, since the 1800s, it has been privately owned by the Duras family.
According to local legend, Château d’Ussé inspired Charles Perrault to write the fairytale Sleeping Beauty. You can walk through a recreation of the story in one of the oldest towers of the château.
To be honest, I thought this château was just okay. It was our least favorite of the seven we visited, and I don’t think it’s worth going out of your way to see. With that said, the setting is beautiful, and if you happen to be nearby, it’s still a nice stop, even if you just see it from the outside!
Another nearby option is Château d’Islette. We did not visit it ourselves, but it is close and could be worth checking out if you are looking for another château to explore.
Duration of visit: 1.5 – 2 hours
Parking: There is a free parking across the street from the château.
Dinner in Chinon
Chinon is a small town that sits along the Vienne River and is surrounded by vineyards that produce the region’s famous Chinon wine. It’s a great place to stop for dinner.
We had planned to eat in town but ended up needing to leave early to catch our train back to Paris. Still, it looked like there were plenty of cozy restaurants and wine bars to choose from. If you have the time, I definitely recommend spending a bit of it here.
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 is 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 to 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 30-60 minutes from most of the Loire Valley’s main sights, so if you’re arriving from Paris, I recommend doing the same thing we did.
You can also rent a car in Paris, Nantes, Orléans, or Angers, depending on your trip 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. From there, you can easily pick up a rental car and start your trip. It is the most centrally located station for exploring the Loire Valley.
You can also take the train to Angers or Orléans and rent a car from 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 chose to stay in the same hotel for two nights during our trip, and I would recommend doing the same. It simplifies things, no need to pack up and check in and out each day. And with such a packed itinerary, the less you have to worry about, the better.
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
- Azay-le-Rideau: Hôtel Grand Monarque
How many days in the Loire Valley?
I recommend spending at least three days in the Loire Valley. I mapped out all the places I wanted to visit ahead of time, and while we managed to see most of our top château picks, we didn’t get to nearly all the towns and villages on our list. You could easily spend a full week here and still not see it all.
I’ll admit, after three days of château-hopping, I started to feel a bit burnt out. As magical as they are, there’s a point where you find yourself craving something different. If I had more time, I would add on one more day to see a few more towns.
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 absolutely stunning.
Late April and early May would also be beautiful, 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 also great times to visit. You’ll have longer days, plenty of sunshine, and most gardens in full bloom. Just keep in mind that June and July are peak tourist months, so things can get a bit busier.
If you have more time…
We didn’t make it to all the towns and châteaux on my list, so if you have an extra day or two, here are a few other sights to add to your itinerary.
Châteaux
- Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire
- Château Royal d’Amboise
- Royal Château of Blois
- Château de Valençay
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. awine 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