Visit the Loire Castles: our ideas and tips

Are you going to the Loire Valley area? Here is our guide to visit the Loire Valley Castles!

Châteaux de la Loire is one of the most popular tourist destinations in France. It is a set of French castles located in the region of the Loire Valley, located in the heart of the ancient historical provinces of Orléanais, Touraine and Anjou, between the communes of Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes-sur-Loire.

Built at the time of the French Renaissance, when the court of the kings of France were installed in the region, the Châteaux de la Loire offers a large amount of historical monuments to visit.

There are nearly 3,000 castles in the Central-Val region of Loire, making it the largest concentration in the world of royal and nobiliary castles. Are you visiting the Loire Valley Castles? This is our tour guide!

History of the Loire Castles

The name Châteaux de la Loire is a tourist name meaning the area of the buildings between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes-sur-Loire, also listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Built or renovated from the 15th and 16th centuries, they were inspired by the Italian Renaissance and had a vocation to represent the power of the French monarchy in the world. Royal castles were built on the banks of the Loire from the Middle Ages: it is the French victory against the Italians in 1515 at the Battle of Marignan , which was the starting point of the construction work, including Chambord, in 1519, ordered by François I (1494-1547).

Some castles are ancient medieval fortresses, built in the 10th and 11th centuries, including the fortress of Amboise, Chinon de Langeais, Loches or Saumur. Majestic, the Châteaux de la Loire were abandoned by the kings in the 16th century, the latter preferring to install their royal court in Fontainebleau, at the palace of the Louvre then to Versailles . The properties were given or redeemed by other nobility personalities.

Today, the castles are private properties open to the public for the visit.

The main Loire Castles to visit

Visit the Châteaux de la Loire allows you to discover these jewels of French culture through a unique historical route in France. It is difficult to visit all the castles, unless you spend several years of vacation there. Here are the main Loire Castles to visit: Angers, Chambord, Chenonceau, Cheverny, Saumur and Blois.

Here are some details to visit the main Castles of the Loire.

Chambord

It was built in the middle of the largest enclosed forest park in Europe from 1519, and was initially chosen to accommodate a hunting residence, nowadays classified as "historical monuments". Larger in all the Loire Valley Castles, it is also the most renowned.

The building houses no less than 420 rooms and a sumptuous French garden with the area of the city of Paris.

Chenonceau

At 56 kilometers southwest, the Château de Chenonceau is unveiled. Built in the 15th century and known to enjamber the Loire with its arches, it was built by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. As it was maintained and renovated by noble women, it is nicknamed the "Château des Dames". His arches voluptuously entangled the Cher, and it is the most visited kings’ castle in France after Versailles.

Located on the commune of Chenonceaux, the homonymous castle – classified as historical monuments – was built from 1513, on the plan of a Venetian palace. It houses many rooms, like the Guards Hall, the room of Diane de Poitiers, the kitchens or the room of François I.

Blois

Another favourite residence of the kings of France during the Renaissance, the Château de Blois was built between the 13th and 17th centuries and brings together the styles of medieval architecture and classical times. If you love architecture, his visit will help to understand the evolution of this art through the centuries.

It contains in its walls the medieval castle, the wing Louis XII, the wing François I and the wing Gaston d’Orléans, with numerous rooms, galleries and museums.

Cheverny

Cheverny is one of the most famous Châteaux de la Loire after Chambord and Blois. It was erected between 1624 and 1634 under Louis XIII (1601-1643) and belongs to the same family (Hurault) for 600 years. It is possible to visit its period layout, with a fine interior decoration, a rich collection of weapons from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries and the King’s room, with tapestries of old Parisian workshops.

It was opened to the public in 1922 and hosted a pack of dogs to organize hunting. Today it is the most visited private domain in France.

Angers

In other words, the Château d’Angers dominates the Maine, built on an ancient site. A land of fierce battles between the Counts of Anjou and the Bourbon Kings of France, Louis IX built this unbelievable fortress in the 13th century. Its architecture almost at the time reveals the military role of the fortress.

The visit is dense: the gate of the Champs, the gate of the city, the enclosure, the 17 towers, the garden ditches, the inner courtyard, the Grande Salle, the chapel of Saint-Laud – a bishop of Coutances (Manche, Normandy) who gave his name to the present city of Saint-Lô in the Channel -, the Logis Royal, the gallery of the king René, the chest of the Apocalypse,

Do not miss the gardens of buis, ants, vines, hydrtensias, medicinal plants: a high place of medieval history.

Saumur

Listed as a historic monument since 1964, the castle of Saumur was built between the 10th century (about 960) and the 16th century. Built on a rocky grove above the Loire, the castle of Saumur is the archetype of the medieval fortress: high crenate towers, mâchicoulis enfilades, chimneys in number. To look at it, we are well located in the Middle Ages, in the heart of the valley of the kings, on the road of the Plantagenes.

Remodeled several times – annexed to the kingdom of France in 1203, renovated under Saint-Louis, defensive citadel then villégiature of kings, prison under Napoleon -, he is a witness of the ages. Admire the view of the river (Loire) of the viewpoint and its stones, built over 6 centuries.

The castles of the Loire unknown

The six castles presented are probably the six most important and known to the general public. Yet the banks of the longest river in France welcome many others.

Château de Rivau

Located in Léméré, this castle is, at first, a classic medieval fortress with dungeon, douves and levis bridge. However, what makes this castle so special is its fourteen beautiful gardens, all classified as "Remarkable Gardens". Although botanical art is subjective, some think it is the most beautiful in the region!

The interior of the castle is also sublime, with gothic chimneys and a Brussels tapestries. This place makes you dream? Know that Rivau Castle is today a luxury hotel and you can stay there!

Château de Saché

Visiting the castles of the Loire is also discovering the famous writers’ landmarks. The castle of Saché is a home where Honoré de Balzac was visited. He found the resting places and could write between twelve and sixteen hours a day!

Since 1951, the castle of Saché has been transformed into a Balzac museum and one can discover its room and work space. And we can only give reason to the writer. The places are inspiring and we appreciate the calm reigning all around this beautiful building!

Château de Candé

If you want to visit a Loire castle in the enlivened history, head to the castle of Candé. Built in 1499, this castle was bought in the 19th century by Santiago Drake del Castillo, a rich Anglo-Cuban sugar cane planter. It is to him that one owes his present aspect. The building is superb and some interior rooms, including the library, are exceptional.

Large of 600 hectares, the estate of Candé denotes by its modern side, initiated by the Franco-American couple Charles and Fern Bedaux, owners since 1927. It is thanks to them that the “th Century Wedding” is organized between the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson.

Château de Beauregard

Dating from the 16th century, Beauregard Castle is a classic building at first. There is an important area and a typical architecture of the time. However, once you enter the interior, it is a unique castle of its kind that you are about to visit.

In 1617, Paul Ardier, owner of the castle, decided to realize his dream of historians, namely to contempt the History of France through portraits. Three generations took turns to finish this gallery of Illustres. It houses a total of 327 portraits, all made on order, allowing the creation of an exceptional room with nothing to envy the gallery of the Glaces of Versailles.

Activities to be done at the Loire castles

The majority of travellers visit the Loire castles in a classic way. We discover their galleries, their history and their majestic gardens. Yet there are much more original ways to visit the castles of the Loire!

Baptism in Helicopter in Amboise

Visiting the Loire castles from the sky is a unique experience in itself. From Amboise, this helicopter flight allows you to admire the castle of Chenonceau and its surroundings.

Six different durations are offered to you. The longest and most expensive (60 minutes) allows you to observe from the sky about ten castles and the city of Tours.

Flight to Montgolfière in Chenonceau – Châteaux de la Loire

We stay around Chenonceau, but this time we try the hot air balloon! For 1 hour, you will have the opportunity to fly over the banks of the Loire and admire its castles on one of these majestic balloons.

Once you’re up, you’ll be blown by the air while enjoying the wonderful show that offers you. If the urge takes you, the aeroster can even leave you the controls of the balloon for a few minutes!

Baptism ULM in Chenonceau above the Loire Castles

From the base of Francueil, this ULM tour allows you, for 15 minutes to 4 hours depending on your choice, to overflight the beautiful landscapes of the Loire Valley region.

Accompanied by a professional and passionate driver, you will have the chance to visit the Loire castles otherwise. Choose the route that best suits your desire and budget among the different flight circuits.

Whatever your final choice, you will experience an extraordinary experience!

Idea of itinerary to visit the castles of the Loire

Depending on your city of arrival, your way of locomotion and the chosen theme, there are multiple route ideas to visit the castles of the Loire. Génération Voyage gives you some practical advice from Paris.

Public transportation or car?

If you have the possibility, visit the Loire castles by car is advised. However, all large castles are accessible by train or by bus. You must, of course, extend the journey times but it is possible to visit the Loire castles without a car. On the other hand, it will be difficult to visit the more unknown castles.

Idea of itinerary between Blois and Angers

Day 1: Chambord – Blois

Whether you're driving or by train, you have to get up early to get to Chambord! The most majestic of the castles is to be enjoyed in the morning, in order to enjoy part of the day.

In the afternoon, pass through Beauregard Castle if you can and return to Blois to visit its castle. You can spend the night in this pleasant city.

Day 2: Blois – Chenonceaux – Cheverny

Let’s admit it from the outset: if you’re not vehiculated, you’ll have to skip steps. However, the car ride is very easy. Start by going to Cheverny to visit his magnificent castle and then take the direction of Chenonceaux (yes, the village takes a x at the end).

The car ride is very fast, you can easily go through the castles of Montpoupon, Saché and Fougères-sur-Brièvre, the estate of Candé and Azay-le-Rideau. This is a lot for the same day, so make your choice!

For the night, throw your devotee on Tours, a city with a good atmosphere!

Day 3: Tours – Saumur – Angers

Last day of our route to visit the castles of the Loire. From Tours, take the direction of Saumur to appreciate his castle and this charming little town. Then take the direction of Angers and the imposing castle towers.

For the rest of the day, you can visit the castle of Rivau and continue your journey where you like. However, if you can, don’t hesitate to spend the night in Rivau! Of course, it’s a little expensive but the experience is unforgettable.