Nestled in the heart of the Loire Valley, Blois is surrounded by numerous châteaux.
Whether you're a fan of medieval architecture, royal history or simply in search of beauty and wonder, you're sure to find what you're looking for.
In this article, we share our selection of the best châteaux around Blois to help you plan your stay.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
The best castles around Blois: selection
The Loire Valley is packed with châteaux. The list can be very long.
Blois is one of the best destinations for visiting the Loire castles.
We have:
- selected our favorites and best-known
- listed in order of distance from town
- limited to less than 1 hour's drive from the city
If you don't have much time, we recommend:
- Château de Chenonceau - Book your ticket
- Château et Parc de Chaumont-sur-Loire - Book your ticket
- Château de Chambord - Book your ticket
Near Blois, you'll find many of the finest châteaux in the Loire Valley.
WHERE TO STAY IN Blois
Downtown
Enjoy the city, its restaurants and beautiful architecture.
- Fleur de Loire Hotel - prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Château des Basses Roches - prices, pictures and availability
In the southern countryside: Chambord, Chevery
Surrounded by castles and charming villages, less than 30 minutes from Blois
- Hotel Relais de Chambord - prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Les Sources de Cheverny - prices, pictures and availability
In the northern countryside
For a little peace and quiet, but close to the city. Fewer castles.
- Hotel Le Grand Cèdre - prices, pictures and availability
1. Château de Blois (in the town)
Certainly one of the richest castles of the Loire. The different buildings cover six centuries of architecture and the furniture on display plunges you into the great hours of the Renaissance in breathtaking settings. If that's not enough for you (let's face it...), the castle is home to the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Blois.
- Nearest city: Blois
- Style: 13th to 17th century
- Of interest for: exterior and interior architecture, furniture, museum
- Open to visitors all year round
- Child-friendly: activities designed to appeal to children
- Possibility of accommodation: yes
- Timetable on the official website here
- More photos and tips in our article (coming soon).
2. Château de Beauregard (15 min west)
Once a hunting lodge for François I, this late 15th century castle owes its current fame to the impressive Gallery of the Illustrious, which contains 327 portraits hung over a length of 26 meters, one of the longest in Europe!
- Nearest city: Blois
- Style: late 15th century
- Interesting for: portrait gallery
- Opening period: April to mid-November
- Child-friendly: activities designed to appeal to children
- Possibility of accommodation: yes
- See the timetable on the official website here
3. Château de Chambord (20 min south)
Certainly, the most impressive castle of the Loire. Its massive architecture did not leave us indifferent. The embodiment of the know-how of this crazy and creative period that was the Renaissance, thedouble helix staircase of Leonardo da Vinci, which combines technical excellence and ornament.
- Near the town of: Blois
- Style: Renaissance
- Interesting for: exterior and interior architecture
- Open to visitors all year round
- Suitable for children: particularly suitable for children
- Possibility of accommodation: yes
- Timetable on the official website here
- More photos and tips in our article
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
4. Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire (20 min west)
If this medieval castle is today a must-see in the Loire Valley, it is for its gardens! The estate has become the French, if not international, reference for contemporary gardens. It offers 13 permanent gardens that preserve the horticultural heritage and 24 ephemeral gardens created around an annual theme. It is in this enchanting setting that the Chaumont-sur-Loire castle stands.
- Nearest city: Blois
- Style: medieval
- Interesting for: gardens
- Open to visitors all year round - garden festival from late April to early November
- Child-friendly: activities designed to appeal to children
- Possibility of accommodation: yes
- Timetable on the official website here
- More photos and tips in our article
5. Château de Cheverny (25 min south)
The castle of Cheverny was built in the 17th century, but it became part of the history of the Loire castles when Hergé was inspired to make the famous castle of Moulinsart in which Tintin is held prisoner, before becoming the property of the volcanic Captain Haddock. In addition to a museum dedicated to these paper characters, Claire was delighted by the château's vast park, which can be visited by electric buggy and boat, and its remarkable trees.
- Nearest city: Tours
- Style: 17th century
- Interesting for: Tintin Park and Museum
- Open to visitors all year round
- Suitable for children: particularly suitable for children
- Possibility of accommodation: yes
- Timetable on the official website here
- More photos and tips in our article (coming soon).
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in the Loire Valley a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
If you wish to be informed of the publication of our guide on the Loire, register:
6. Château du Clos Lucé (35min west)
This small castle, located in the town of Amboise, was the last residence of Leonardo da Vinci. It was King Francis I who decided to place this manor at the disposal of the Italian Master who lived there for three years until his death on May 2, 1519. The interior of the castle plunges you into the world of Leonardo da Vinci and the park presents his brilliant inventions and artistic inspiration.
- Nearest city: Amboise
- Style: 15th century
- Suitable for: interiors and gardens
- Open to visitors all year round
- Suitable for children: particularly suitable for children
- Possibility of accommodation: no
- Timetable on the official website here
- More photos and tips in our article
7. Château Royal d'Amboise (35min west)
With the royal castle of Amboise, you dive into the daily life of the kings of France in the second half of the 15th century and it is really exciting! But if the castle attracts so many visitors today, it is because it is said to house thetomb of the Italian genius and artist, Leonardo da Vinci. We investigated...
- Near the town of: Amboise
- Style: Renaissance
- Interesting for: architecture, Leonardo da Vinci's tomb and gardens overlooking the Loire River
- Open to visitors all year round
- Child-friendly: activities designed to appeal to children
- Possibility of accommodation: no
- Timetable on the official website here
- More photos and tips in our article
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
8. Château des énigmes de Fréteval (40 min north)
A large manor house, rebuilt many times over the centuries, the Rocheux castle in Fréteval is especially interesting for introducing children to castle visits. A real leisure park, it offers a course in 28 games that will appeal to the 5 senses of your children. Claire has deciphered all the riddles, what about you?
- Nearest city: Blois
- Style: 19th century
- Interesting for: games for children
- Opening period: April to early November
- Suitable for children: particularly suitable for children
- Possibility of accommodation: yes
- Timetable on the official website here
- More photos and tips in our article (coming soon).
9. Château de Chenonceau (50 min east)
For us, the most beautiful castle of the Loire Valley. The Château de Chenonceaux majestically spans the Cher, its magnificent Renaissance architecture reflected in the river. The gardens and interior are also exceptional and we came away intoxicated by so much beauty.
- Close to the town of Amboise
- Style: Renaissance
- Of interest for: exterior and interior architecture, furniture and gardens
- Open to visitors all year round
- Child-friendly: activities designed to appeal to children
- Possibility of accommodation: no
- Timetable on the official website here
- More photos and tips in our article
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10. Château de Valençay (1h, south)
The castle could have been "just" a renaissance castle as the Loire Valley has so many. But, in 1803, Tayllerand, Napoleon Bonaparte's Minister of Foreign Affairs, acquired it and made it part of French History, that of the 19th century! The interior is richly furnished and immerses you in the Frenchart of living and entertaining.
- Nearest city: Blois
- Style : renaissance
- Interesting for: furniture
- Open to visitors: mid-March to mid-November
- Possibility of accommodation: no
- Timetable on the official website here
- More photos and tips in our article
DISCOVER Blois
- Things to do in Blois - coming soon
- Where to sleep in Blois: best hotels
- Where to eat in Blois: best restaurants - coming soon
- Visit the Château de Blois - coming soon
- Visit Blois Cathedral - coming soon
- The best castles around Blois
Other castles near Blois
- Château Gaillard, Amboise (35min west)
- Montrésor village and château (1h south)
- Château de Meung-sur-Loire (35min east)
- Château de Lavardin (50min north-west)
- Domaine de Candé (1h west)
- Chateaudun Castle (1h north)
- or see our list of Loire castles
Less than 1h30 away, the list goes on, with Azay-le-Rideau and the Jardins de Villandry, among others.
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
