{"id":70,"date":"2015-06-15T08:00:06","date_gmt":"2015-06-15T12:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/amontrealerabroad.com\/?p=70"},"modified":"2025-04-18T14:27:52","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T18:27:52","slug":"loire-valley-castles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/loire-valley-castles\/","title":{"rendered":"The Loire valley castles &#8211; where to go &#038; what you should know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Did anyone say &#8220;idyllic holiday to France&#8217;s most picturesque castles&#8221;? Because this is pretty much what you&#8217;re getting when you go to the Loire Valley castles. Located just two south-east of Paris, this ensemble has the world&#8217;s highest concentration of castles (a few hundreds, just that), some rather small, and some downright Disney-worthy. I visited the region a few times back when&nbsp;I was living in France &#8211; here is a list of&nbsp;my favourite castles, including things you should know about them and where they can be found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Bon voyage!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id70_b6d20c-c4 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id70_b6d20c-c4 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id70_b6d20c-c4 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id70_b6d20c-c4 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id70_b6d20c-c4 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id70_b6d20c-c4 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id70_b6d20c-c4 alignnone has-theme-palette8-background-color kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column70_c1b73d-0f > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column70_c1b73d-0f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column70_c1b73d-0f > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column70_c1b73d-0f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column70_c1b73d-0f > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column70_c1b73d-0f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column70_c1b73d-0f{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column70_c1b73d-0f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column70_c1b73d-0f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column70_c1b73d-0f inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-right\" style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.4\"><br>+<br>france travel tips<\/h6>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column70_50601f-8b > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column70_50601f-8b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column70_50601f-8b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column70_50601f-8b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column70_50601f-8b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column70_50601f-8b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column70_50601f-8b{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column70_50601f-8b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column70_50601f-8b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column70_50601f-8b inner-column-2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/the-7-most-beautiful-villages-in-france\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">My favourite &amp; most beautiful villages in France<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Azay-le-Rideau<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"26161\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Azay-le-Rideau-Castle-Loire-valley-castles-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26161\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Azay-le-Rideau-Castle-Loire-valley-castles-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Azay-le-Rideau-Castle-Loire-valley-castles-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Azay-le-Rideau-Castle-Loire-valley-castles.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"875\" height=\"653\" data-id=\"21674\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-2-875x653.jpg\" alt=\"Loire Valley Castles\" class=\"wp-image-21674\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-2-875x653.jpg 875w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-2-402x300.jpg 402w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-2-768x573.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-2-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-2-450x336.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-2-1071x800.jpg 1071w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-2-800x597.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 875px) 100vw, 875px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" data-id=\"26183\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Azay-le-Rideau-Loire-valley-castles-875x656.jpg\" alt=\"Azay-le-Rideau Loire valley castles\" class=\"wp-image-26183\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Azay-le-Rideau-Loire-valley-castles-875x656.jpg 875w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Azay-le-Rideau-Loire-valley-castles-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Azay-le-Rideau-Loire-valley-castles-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Azay-le-Rideau-Loire-valley-castles-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Azay-le-Rideau-Loire-valley-castles.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 875px) 100vw, 875px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.loirevalley-france.co.uk\/loire-valley-chateaux\/chateau-azay-le-rideau\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Azay-le-Rideau<\/a> is not the biggest nor the most romanticised castle but it certainly is charming.&nbsp;Often called the &#8220;Enchanted mirror&#8221; because of the way its western wing is reflected&nbsp;on the river that surrounds it, Azay-le-Rideau is the perfect depiction of what a French Renaissance castle looks like to us 21st-century creatures, with its pointy towers and perfectly symmetric facades. The guided visit is very well organised and full of fun&nbsp;trivia&nbsp;&#8211; in fact, did you know that Azay-le-Rideau was one of the first castles to boast dog-legged staircases as opposed to spiral ones?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Amboise<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"875\" height=\"583\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Clos-Luce\u0301-Da-Vinci-Loire-valley-castles-875x583.jpg\" alt=\"Clos Luce\u0301 - Da Vinci - Loire valley castles\" class=\"wp-image-26185\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Clos-Luce\u0301-Da-Vinci-Loire-valley-castles-875x583.jpg 875w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Clos-Luce\u0301-Da-Vinci-Loire-valley-castles-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Clos-Luce\u0301-Da-Vinci-Loire-valley-castles-180x120.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Clos-Luce\u0301-Da-Vinci-Loire-valley-castles-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Clos-Luce\u0301-Da-Vinci-Loire-valley-castles-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Clos-Luce\u0301-Da-Vinci-Loire-valley-castles.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 875px) 100vw, 875px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> The chapel in which Leonardo da Vinci is said to be buried<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"875\" height=\"623\" data-id=\"26186\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Amboise-Castle-Loire-valley-castles-875x623.jpg\" alt=\"Amboise Castle - Loire valley castles\" class=\"wp-image-26186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Amboise-Castle-Loire-valley-castles-875x623.jpg 875w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Amboise-Castle-Loire-valley-castles-421x300.jpg 421w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Amboise-Castle-Loire-valley-castles-768x547.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Amboise-Castle-Loire-valley-castles-1536x1094.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Amboise-Castle-Loire-valley-castles.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 875px) 100vw, 875px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"875\" height=\"583\" data-id=\"26184\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Amboise-Castle-in-the-Loire-valley-castles-875x583.jpg\" alt=\"Amboise Castle in the Loire valley castles\" class=\"wp-image-26184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Amboise-Castle-in-the-Loire-valley-castles-875x583.jpg 875w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Amboise-Castle-in-the-Loire-valley-castles-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Amboise-Castle-in-the-Loire-valley-castles-180x120.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Amboise-Castle-in-the-Loire-valley-castles-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Amboise-Castle-in-the-Loire-valley-castles-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Amboise-Castle-in-the-Loire-valley-castles.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 875px) 100vw, 875px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"21667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-9-875x589.jpg\" alt=\"Loire Valley Castles\" class=\"wp-image-21667\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"21666\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-10-875x626.jpg\" alt=\"Loire Valley Castles\" class=\"wp-image-21666\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-amboise.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Amboise<\/a>&nbsp;is probably the most fun one to visit, not only because of&nbsp;the pretty castle itself&nbsp;but also because of the super cute and lively village around it. The biggest point of interest in Amboise is Da Vinci&#8217;s heritage &#8211; he used to live in nearby Clos-Luc\u00e9, and he is supposedly buried&nbsp;in the castle&#8217;s chapel (his remains were never formally found nor identified&nbsp;but there are strong suspicions that he is indeed in Amboise). The castle grounds, which are located atop a small hill, offer a pretty good vantage point on Amboise village and the surrounding valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Villandry<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"875\" height=\"602\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Villandry-Gardens-Loire-valley-castles-875x602.jpg\" alt=\"Villandry Gardens Loire valley castles\" class=\"wp-image-26169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Villandry-Gardens-Loire-valley-castles-875x602.jpg 875w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Villandry-Gardens-Loire-valley-castles-436x300.jpg 436w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Villandry-Gardens-Loire-valley-castles-768x528.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Villandry-Gardens-Loire-valley-castles-1536x1057.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Villandry-Gardens-Loire-valley-castles.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 875px) 100vw, 875px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The stunning gardens at Villandry, the castle&#8217;s biggest draw <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>If there was one castle where you could skip the actual indoor visit and just stick to the outdoors, it&#8217;s this one.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.chateauvillandry.fr\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Villandry<\/a> indeed has the most beautiful, colorful and exhaustive gardens of the area. It has a flower garden, an herbs garden, a vegetable garden and a beautiful pond. Fun fact, this very pond is said to be the shaped after&nbsp;one of Louis XIV&#8217;s bedroom mirror! It&#8217;s such a nice feeling&nbsp;to simply walk around, smelling the different aromas throughout the garden.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id70_2a1764-2d > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id70_2a1764-2d > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id70_2a1764-2d > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id70_2a1764-2d > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id70_2a1764-2d > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id70_2a1764-2d > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id70_2a1764-2d alignnone has-theme-palette8-background-color kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column70_f1b50a-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column70_f1b50a-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column70_f1b50a-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column70_f1b50a-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column70_f1b50a-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column70_f1b50a-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column70_f1b50a-3e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column70_f1b50a-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column70_f1b50a-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column70_f1b50a-3e inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-right\" style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.4\"><br>+<br>france travel tips<\/h6>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column70_2cb5fa-8b > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column70_2cb5fa-8b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column70_2cb5fa-8b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column70_2cb5fa-8b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column70_2cb5fa-8b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column70_2cb5fa-8b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column70_2cb5fa-8b{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column70_2cb5fa-8b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column70_2cb5fa-8b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column70_2cb5fa-8b inner-column-2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/best-hotels-in-paris\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The 8 coolest, best hotels in Paris right now<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Chenonceau<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.chenonceau.com\/index.php\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chenonceau<\/a> is probably one of the most iconic castles of the Loire Valley. Built across the Cher River (yes, parts of the castle actually form a bridge!), it&#8217;s quite small but very cute. Often nicknamed &#8220;The Ladies Castle&#8221; because of two notable residents, Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de M\u00e9dicis, and their obvious influence on the decor. It&#8217;s actually the most visited castle in France after Versailles, and I can definitely understand why. Between the highly ornate rooms to the super fun maze outside, everyone is guaranteed a good time at Chenonceau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Chambord<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"799\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-5.jpg\" alt=\"Loire Valley Castles\" class=\"wp-image-21671\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-5.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-5-451x300.jpg 451w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-5-875x583.jpg 875w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-5-180x120.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-5-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-5-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-5-800x533.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-6.jpg\" alt=\"Loire Valley Castles\" class=\"wp-image-21670\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-6.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-6-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-6-875x583.jpg 875w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-6-180x120.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-6-800x533.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>My absolute favorite &#8211; I mean, have you looked at it? The picture says it all. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.chambord.org\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cha<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chambord.org\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">m<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.chambord.org\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bord Castle<\/a> is the largest one in&nbsp;the region, and the most ornate too. Its features Da Vinci&#8217;s double-helix staircase, 128 meters of lavishly-decorated facade, 800 columns and a 13,000 acre park.&nbsp;In fact, Chambord Castle was first used as&nbsp;the hunting lodge of King Francois I back in the 16th century &#8211; which, in retrospect, may explain why the French were so adamant on getting a revolution. I don&#8217;t know about you guys but hunting grounds in Canada don&#8217;t look like that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The castle is not furnished but is nonetheless very interesting to visit &#8211;&nbsp;especially the sunset and sunrise rooms, as well as Louis XIV&#8217;s quarters. The castle, despite its square and logical shape, is an absolute maze, but so much fun to explore.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id70_a05d8a-7c > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id70_a05d8a-7c > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id70_a05d8a-7c > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id70_a05d8a-7c > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id70_a05d8a-7c > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id70_a05d8a-7c > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id70_a05d8a-7c alignnone has-theme-palette8-background-color kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column70_066b8a-77 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column70_066b8a-77 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column70_066b8a-77 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column70_066b8a-77 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column70_066b8a-77 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column70_066b8a-77 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column70_066b8a-77{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column70_066b8a-77 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column70_066b8a-77 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column70_066b8a-77 inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-right\" style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.4\"><br>+<br>france travel tips<\/h6>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column70_13c0b9-90 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column70_13c0b9-90 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column70_13c0b9-90 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column70_13c0b9-90 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column70_13c0b9-90 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column70_13c0b9-90 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column70_13c0b9-90{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column70_13c0b9-90 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column70_13c0b9-90 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column70_13c0b9-90 inner-column-2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/day-trips-from-paris\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">7 day trips from Paris you should consider for your next trip<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Loire valley castles: more suggestions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-cheverny.fr\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cheverny<\/a> (if you&#8217;re a Tintin fan)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.chateaudeblois.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blois<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vinci-closluce.com\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Clos-Luc\u00e9<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chateaudusse.fr\/?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Uss\u00e9<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Loire valley castles: know before you go<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Visiting a castle in France<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Some castles are furnished and some aren&#8217;t; don&#8217;t expect to see a full 16th century decor every time. A lot of castles updated their furniture in the 19th century (or later on if the castle was used for different&nbsp;purposes), meaning that most of what remains today doesn&#8217;t actually date back to the Renaissance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Loire wines<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a lot of <a href=\"https:\/\/loirevalleywine.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wineries and vineyards in the Loire Valley<\/a>, which are well worth a visit if you are a white wine aficionado (whites are a local specialty). Always remember that the blood alcohol concentration limit in France is 0,5&nbsp;mg\/ml ;-)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to visit the Loire Valley castles from Paris<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>If you plan on visiting several ch\u00e2teaux you might want to purchase the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tourainenature.co.uk\/chateaux-pass-reduced-prices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ch\u00e2teaux Pass<\/a>, which you can purchase in any local tourist office. It not only gives you a small discount for each castle, but you also get to skip the queues and go straight inside the castles. Prices vary according to which castle you choose to include&nbsp;in the pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are visiting on a day trip from Paris and can&#8217;t hire a car, this guided coach tour of the Loire Valley Castles from Paris is a great option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Loire Valley is a very popular cycling destination, and many tour operators offer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discoverfrance.com\/european-tours-destinations\/loire-valley-bike-tours\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">organised tours of the region<\/a>. Well worth looking into if you are an avid cyclist!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Loire Valley castles on a budget<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Castle grounds make for lovely picnic spots &#8211;&nbsp;save on restaurants by visiting the local market and get some delicious baguette and charcuteries for lunch.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Did anyone say &#8220;idyllic holiday to France&#8217;s most picturesque castles&#8221;? Because this is pretty much what you&#8217;re getting when you&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":21670,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[1197,23,1957],"class_list":["post-70","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-france","tag-day-trip-from-paris","tag-france","tag-loire-valley"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>A guide to the Loire valley castles | To Europe and Beyond<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here&#039;s a quick guide to exploring the Loire Valley castles: which castles to visit, what to look for and how to do it. Plus pretty photos!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/loire-valley-castles\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A guide to the Loire valley castles | To Europe and Beyond\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Here&#039;s a quick guide to exploring the Loire Valley castles: which castles to visit, what to look for and how to do it. 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