With its rolling hills, winding rivers, and spectacular châteaux, the Loire Valley is one of France’s most enchanting regions. More than 300 castles are spread across the Loire Valley, some with grandiose interiors, others with splendid gardens, and many simply impressive in their sheer scale.
During the Hundred Years’ War in the 14th and 15th centuries, many fortresses were built here to protect the region from an English invation. Later on, after the war, these defensive strongholds were transformed into fashionable Renaissance residences where nobles could enjoy a countryside escape and stay close to the king, since the French court was based in Tours during this time.
Whether you’re visiting on a weekend trip from Paris or adding this as a stop on your France itinerary, these are the must-visit châteaux in the Loire Valley.
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Best Châteaux in the Loire Valley
Château de Villandry
The magnificent gardens at the Château de Villandry are some of the most beautiful in all of France. The ornamental kitchen garden, with its checkerboard of cabbages and lettuce, the sculpted hedges, the tree-lined paths, and the rose bushes dotted throughout. I could spend an entire day wandering through this Renaissance daydream.
You have the option to book a garden-only ticket or a combined ticket to visit both the château and the gardens. We were advised to just book the garden ticket, but we got the combo ticket because I wanted to see it all!
Surprisingly, the château’s interiors ended up being my favorite of all the castles we explored. The rooms are tastefully decorated with floral fabrics covering the beds and curtains draping the French doors. Soft pastel wallpapers and plenty of natural light make the spaces feel more like a renovated boutique hotel than a historic fortress.
For more information on opening hours and ticket prices, visit the official website.
Parking: Parking is available across the street from the château, and it is free of charge.
Château de Chenonceau
With its picturesque setting spanning the Cher River, Château de Chenonceau is often called the most beautiful château in the Loire Valley. As you arrive, a long, tree-lined path guides you to the entrance of this 16th-century Renaissance castle.
I love Chenonceau’s simple interiors, like the long gallery, with its black-and-white checkerboard floors. Many of the rooms are furnished with tapestries, antique pieces, and fresh flowers.
The gardens are traditionally manicured and lovely to wander through. And don’t miss the apothecary in the Orangery, designed by Catherine de’ Medici. It’s a fascinating space and one of my favorite rooms in the entire château.
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.
Château de Chambord
The Château de Chambord is by far the most famous castle in the Loire Valley and one of the most remarkable Renaissance landmarks in France. Construction began in 1519 and took over 150 years to complete.
The exterior of Chambord is spectacular, with its whimsical rooftop bristling with spires and chimneys, make it look straight out of a storybook. It’s sheer size alone, though, is what makes it standout among the rest of the châteaux.
Inside, the château is surprisingly sparse. Only a handful of rooms are furnished, so much of your visit is spent wandering through large, empty spaces. The main highlight is the grand double-spiral staircase that winds through the center of the building, two intertwined staircases that twist around each other but never meet.
You could be ascending on one side while someone else climbs on the other, and your paths would never cross. This ingenious design is often attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, although it has never been definitively confirmed.
If you aren’t interested in visiting the interiors, you can pay to park and explore the paths surrounding the château for free. But if you want to see the formal gardens and interiors, you’ll need to purchase a ticket.
For info on opening hours and tickets, visit the official website.
Parking: There is a paid parking lot that cost €6 per car.
Château Royal d’Amboise
Once a favorite residence of the French monarchy during the Renaissance, the Château Royal d’Amboise offers some of the best views in the Loire Valley.
The gardens overlook the town of Amboise and the Loire River. Inside, some rooms are decorated with period furniture and tapestries, giving you a glimpse into royal life during the Renaissance.
One of the highlights is the Saint-Hubert Chapel, where Leonardo da Vinci is buried after spending his final years nearby at Clos Lucé.
For info on opening hours and tickets, visit the official website.
Parking: We parked at Parking Des Tanneurs, just a short walk from Clos Lucé and the center of Amboise.
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. 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.
Parking: We parked at Parking Des Tanneurs, just a short walk from Clos Lucé and the center of Amboise.
Château de Cheverny
Château de Cheverny is a 17th-century castle that has been owned by the same family for more than six centuries. In my opinion, it’s one of the most underrated châteaux in the Loire Valley.
The most exceptional room in the castle 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.
Parking: Free parking is available in the château’s parking lot.
Château d’Azay-le-Rideau
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.
Parking: Paid parking is available here. We parked for free across the river here.
Château de Blois
The Château de Blois sits right in the heart of town and combines Gothic, Renaissance, Classical, and medieval styles all in one. This château is a window into French royal history, as it was once home to several kings and queens, including Catherine de’ Medici, Louis XII, and François I.
Inside, you can explore the royal apartments, decorated with painted walls and ceilings, colorful tapestries, and period furniture. The château also has a Museum of Fine Arts with a collection of paintings and sculptures spanning several centuries.
Parking: Underground parking is available here.
Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire
The Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire sits on a hill overlooking the Loire River and is best known today for its annual International Garden Festival. Built in the 15th and 16th centuries, the château has become a center for the arts, showcasing its Renaissance architecture alongside contemporary art exhibitions throughout the year.
The surrounding park and gardens are a highlight, filled with creative installations that change each season.
Parking: You can park at the free car park on the castle grounds.
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.
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