Loire Valley Castles

The Loire Valley is located 130 kilometers south of Paris and is known as the Garden of France. Every year, thousands of travelers come here drawn by its castles, monuments, and towns. And for good reason, fue declarado Patrimonio de la Humanidad for its great beauty and historical significance.

Read on, because we're going to tell you cuáles son los 8 castillos del Valle del Loira que no puedes dejar de visitar, what to see in them, the recommended route, and how to get there from Paris.

Loire Valley Castles Route

There are 73 castles in the Loire Valley that you can visit. One of the best routes covers 300 kilometers from Nantes — at the southern end of the valley — to Orléans. Another runs from the city of Tours to Sully-sur-Loire and offers 120 kilometers of breathtaking scenery. 

Both are recommended if you're traveling by car, as most of the castles are in rural areas and spread far apart. What is certain is that visiting the Loire Valley Castles region is one of the day trips from Paris most recommended.

It's hard to say how many days it might take to visit all the castles, as it depends on your travel pace. That's why we've put together cuáles son los castillos imprescindibles del Loira so you can check the map and plan your journey. 

Château de Chenonceau

El castillo de Chenonceau es el más famoso del valle del Loira and therefore the most visited. It is also known as "the ladies' castle," because it was built in the 15th century and inhabited by important women over the course of 5 centuries.

Some of them were: Diane de Poitiers (the name of the castle's main garden), Catherine de' Medici, Louise de Lorraine, and Louise Dupin, who hosted receptions for high society and counted personalities such as Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Rousseau among her guests.

The castle rises above the Cher River and is notable for its Gothic and Renaissance style, its interior gallery designed to resemble a chessboard, its chapel, and its expansive gardens.

Keep in mind that it is not possible to view it from the outside, as you must walk a long path through the forest to reach it. So be sure to secure your Chenonceau castle ticket and plan your visit any day of the year. 

Chambord, the Largest of the Loire Valley Castles

The Château de Chambord is an hour from Tours and is the largest of the Loire Valley castles, with more than 400 rooms, 365 fireplaces, 8 towers, and 4 great halls. Impressive!

Construction began in 1519 on the orders of King Francis I, who wanted it as his hunting lodge, but the project was left unfinished after his death. It was not until 1639 that Louis XIV ordered the work completed. The château is surrounded by forests and sweeping gardens. 

As an interesting fact, Leonardo da Vinci lived in the château for at least three years and had some influence on its décor, particularly on the double-helix staircase that never fails to impress visitors.

You can join the excursión a los castillos del Loira desde París with a Spanish-speaking guide to explore this and other fortresses, or book your Château de Chambord entrance ticket and make the most of your time. 

Château de Cheverny

The village of Cheverny is 10 kilometers from Blois and about two and a half hours by car from Paris. There stands this Renaissance building, surrounded by gardens, which is one of the most beautiful and well-known châteaux in the Loire Valley. 

It was built in the 16th century on the orders of the Marquis and Marchioness of Vibraye, members of the Hurault family, who served as financiers and officials to various kings of France. 

You may be surprised to learn that the Château de Cheverny has belonged to the same family for 6 centuries, even though ownership has changed hands many times.

What makes it even more fascinating is that it has been open to the public since 1922, by order of Philippe de Vibraye, who stipulated that it had to be closed on Tuesdays — the day his friends came to visit. 

Another fun fact is that it is also known as the Château de Tintin, as it inspired Hergé — the Belgian cartoonist — to create the famous Moulinsart.

You can plan a visit to Château de Cheverny from Paris, with transport included and a Spanish-speaking guide. 

Blois, One of the Best Loire Valley Châteaux

To understand a part of France's history, a visit to the Château de Blois is a must. It was the favorite royal residence during the Renaissance, as a total of 7 kings and 10 queens lived there, each leaving their mark on the château.

The Château de Blois is a unique example of French architecture spanning the 9th to the 17th century. Originally conceived as a medieval fortress, it gradually transformed into a palace reflecting several architectural styles, each represented in its four wings. 

You will want to know that fue allí donde Juan de Arco fue bendecida en la capilla en el año 1429; and that the château was abandoned for 130 years and completely looted during the French Revolution. Today it houses a collection of more than 35,000 works and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its historical importance.

Book your Château de Blois entrance ticket and keep in mind that from April to September you can enjoy the famous sound-and-light show in the château's courtyard, one of the most celebrated in the Loire Valley. 

Château d'Amboise

Unlike other Loire Valley châteaux, the Château d'Amboise sits within a inhabited area and can be admired from the outside free of charge. It is half an hour from Tours and takes its name from the medieval town in which it stands.

Its history dates back to the 6th century, and it has witnessed battles, changes of ownership, destruction, and abandonment. It was also one of the first châteaux to show Italian influences in its architecture. 

It is notable for having been the residence of King Francis I, who spent his entire childhood there, and because fue el lugar donde murió y fue enterrado Leonardo Da Vinci. In fact, his tomb — located atop a rocky outcrop in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert — was desecrated, yet it still draws thousands of visitors every year.

You can book your Château d'Amboise entrance ticket, with audio guide included, and discover why it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Château du Clos Lucé

The Château du Clos Lucé is one of the more modest châteaux in the Loire Valley. It may not have a striking architectural presence, but it holds tremendous historical significance, pues fue la residencia de Leonardo Da Vinci durante sus últimos años.

This building is connected to the Château d'Amboise by an underground passageway, which is why we recommend visiting both on the same day.

Here you can see many of the machines designed by da Vinci, explore the museum, and enjoy the espectáculo de luces durante el verano projected onto the château walls, telling the story of France and of the artist himself.

You can take a tour of the châteaux of Chenonceau, Amboise, and Clos Lucé with a Spanish-speaking guide — don't miss a single detail of these remarkable Loire Valley châteaux.

Château d'Azay-le-Rideau

The Château d'Azay-le-Rideau rises from an island in the Indre River, 30 minutes from the city of Tours. It is a fine example of traditional French architecture blended with Italian decorative influences.

Construction began in the 16th century during the reign of Francis I, but it was in the 19th century that it became what it is today: a Renaissance gem. Doesn't it look like something straight out of a fairy tale?

Book your Azay-le-Rideau Castle ticket and you'll have all the time to explore its rooms and marvel at one of the most beautiful châteaux in the Loire Valley. 

Château de Chaumont

Château de Chaumont is located between Blois and Amboise, about 45 minutes from the city of Tours, so you can consider including it in your visit alongside the other two. It is, without doubt, one of the best-preserved châteaux in the Loire Valley.

It was built in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. It is surrounded by a historic park whose design was begun in 1880 by landscape architect Henri Duchêne, giving the château a unique setting enveloped in greenery.

The château houses an important collection of tapestries and works of art from the 15th to the 19th centuries that is well worth taking time to appreciate.

Although it is not part of the Loire Valley Châteaux, the Château de Chantilly is another of the most beautiful and significant palaces near Paris. To be more specific, it was donde se originó con la receta de la famosa crema chantilly.

Another must-see day trip from Paris is the Palace of VersaillesIt is probablemente el palacio y antigua residencia real más famosa del mundoBoth palaces are very close to Paris — less than 1 hour away, to be exact.

Discover how to get from Paris to Versailles and don't miss this architectural and historical gem.