If you are planning to explore Loire Valley Castles, you should at least set aside 2 and a half hours to explore one castle properly. If you can manage more time, it will be better for you as you can get to spend more time paying attention to the details. If you are planning on visiting multiple castles on the same day, choose one castle as your favorite and plan on spending more time exploring its gardens, exhibitions, and workshops.
Being a region of the culturally rich part of France did not mean that the area was devoid of any conflicts. Being a part of the disputed territory of France, these strategic sites became the grounds of multiple conflicts of medieval Europe. This left the country with a rich heritage of strategic medieval strongholds.
Built in the 10th century, Domaine du Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire was used to protect the land from the feudal rival of the kings. It is an immense mansion with Renaissance design elements like lavishly furnished rooms, works of art, and an English-style garden.
Visit Domaine du Château de Chaumont-sur-LoireBuilt in the 9th century overhanging the river La Maine, the Romans built the fortress to use its location for strategic defense. It is an impressive fortress-styled château in the Loire Valley housing the famous 140-meter long French tapestry - Apocalypse Tapestry.
Visit Château d'AngersLocated in the city center in the town of Blois, it has been the residence of several French kings throughout history. It is famous for the grand nature of its structure as its architecture is influenced by four different styles in its four wings.
Visit Château de BloisMost of the Castles of the Loire Valley are a part of the times of peace and prosperity that followed after an era of conflicts. Built by prosperous merchants and landowners on flourishing agricultural lands and in relatively close proximity to Paris, these Loire Valley Castles make the finest group of Renaissance monuments of Chateaux De La Loire.
It is a beautiful castle that stood as a symbol of the French resistance, build inside a large park of 5,000 hectares. It has a unique architectural style with a blend of traditional French medieval forms along with classical Renaissance influence.
Visit Château de ChambordStanding as the most prominent French Renaissance architecture, Château d'Azay-le-Rideau is built on an island in the middle of the river Indre. It is A large mansion with an innovative style of architecture with a mix of classic French tradition and Italian décor.
Visit Château d'Azay-le-RideauPreviously known as Manoir du Cloux, Château du Clos Lucé had many famous owners, most notably Leonardo Da Vinci. The maestro spent his final three years in this Castle, and it currently serves as a museum housing replicas of his artwork and his interactive inventions.
Visit Château du Clos LucéWhile it initially served as a strategic structure, its Renaissance is most noticeable in its later reconstructions and expansions. It is considered one of the most important castles of France. It has been a favored place of residence of French kings for over 400 years.
Visit Château Royal d'AmboiseBuilt on the foundations of an old mill, Château de Chenonceau is an architectural wonder as in its later expansions, it spans the river, Cher. It has a late-gothic and early renaissance design, with an immense collection of rare art and period decor.
Visit Château de ChenonceauDuration: Flexible Hours
Discounted Price: Upto 30%
Duration: 12 hours
Loire Valley Tours from ParisBefore you start your journey to Loire Valley, these are some crucial pieces of information that can help you in your travel.
April - June: Spring Season
September- October: Autumn Season
Distance: Paris To Loire Valley- 215kms
By Car: Duration: Around two and half hours.
By Train: Duration: Over an hour (TGV trains)
By Bus: Duration: Around three hours
Guided Tours: Book Loire Valley Castle Guided tours to leave everything up to the professionals.
There are two types of tickets to Loire Valley Castles that you can choose from that can help you get the best experience.
Spanning a region of over 170 miles, these are some of the best accommodation options in the Loire Valley.
These are some of the best places to eat in Loire Valley - starting from French cuisine to vintage wines.
While Loire Valley is mostly famous for its castles, garden, and vineyards, there are lots of fun activities that you can indulge yourself in.
Find more information about the COVID-19 protocol on the official website.
A. On-site tickets are subject to availability. To avoid chances of tickets being sold out and to avoid physical contact, tourists are advised to buy the Loire Valley Castle tickets online and avail of the fantastic discounts and offers.
A. Yes, discounts are available on some of the Loire Valley Castle online tickets. Check your ticket details before purchase. Make sure to bring a valid Government ID to avail of the offer.
A. With Chateaux being a broad term, there are over a 1000 in France, with the most prominent ones being in the Loire Valley. The most popular ones of the Chateaux De La Loire are Château de Chambord, Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, Château du Clos Lucé, Château Royal d'Amboise, Château de Chenonceau, Domaine du Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, Château d'Angers and Château de Blois.
A. Château du Clos Lucé and Château Royal d'Amboise are the two castles that played a significant role in Leonardo Da Vinci’s life. He spent the final 3 years of his life at Château du Clos Lucé, while Château Royal d'Amboise is designed by the maestro. Both the castles have gardens with replicas of Da Vinci’s works and models on display.
A. The design and the structure of castles like Château de Chambord, Château ‘Azay-le-Rideau, Château du Clos Lucé, Château Royal d'Amboise and Château de Chenonceau shows a significant influence of the Renaissance period of France.
A. Loire Valley is a vast stretch of area, which is located about 280km south of Paris.
A. The Loire Valley Castles are located about 100 kilometers south of Paris. Most tourists prefer taking a comfortable car ride to the Loire Valley castles as only a handful of train stations are close to the sites.
A. If you are planning to visit the Loire Valley Castle and want to avoid crowds, try to plan your visit between the months of April and June or between September and October.
A. It depends on the kind of trip you are looking for. Most tourists prefer to spend an entire day in a castle as all of the Loire Valley Castle has lots of things to explore, activities and exhibitions taking place. If you want to make the most of your visit, you can buy a combo ticket to save time and visit multiple castles in the same day while making the most of it.
A. Children aged 6-18 enjoy a discounted price on the Loire Valley Castle tickets., while infants aged 5 can visit the castles for free. Make sure to check the ticket information before you purchase.
A. Yes, Loire Valley Castles have combo tour tickets which can be beneficial for those who are looking to visit multiple Loire Valley Castles in a day. The combo tickets offer up to 30% discount, which can be a huge money saver option for visitors.