Nestled in the heart of the Loire Valley, Blois is surrounded by rivers, castles, vineyards and villages.
Explore charming alleyways, visit small churches and enjoy the peace and quiet.
In this article, we share our selection of the best villages 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 most beautiful villages around Blois: selection
The Loire Valley is brimming with charming villages and small towns full of character. The list can be very long.
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
To find all our favorite villages around the Loire castles, see this other article.
1. Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire (15 min)
Why do we love it?
A village a little different from the previous ones, with a rich history during the construction of Chambord. It was then an important port where materials arrived.
Today it is nice to stroll along the Loire with some traditional boats, in the alleys which mix stones and greenery, and all around the ramparts. We had a great time.
Here we relax. The village seems to bring serenity to the visitor. And we wouldn't want to leave.
Take the time to get lost and discover houses from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.
Access to the village from Blois
- Between Tours and Orleans, along the Loire River
- Driving time from Blois = 15 min
Practical information
- Allow 1 to 2 hours to explore the entire village and the castle
- It is easy to walk around, the village is almost flat
- Parking around the church, next to the school and next to the cemetery
- Some restaurants / cafes
- This village has the label "Small city of character".
- See the best rated accommodations around Saint-Dyé
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.
2. Montrichard (30 min)
Why do we love it?
If you visit the famous Loire castles around Tours (Chenonceaux, Amboise, Chaumont-sur-Loire), chances are you will pass by Montrichard. This small town is a bit of a crossroads.
It is a small medieval city of the XIth century with a historical center along the River Cher.
The view from the banks of the river is magnificent and the tour of the center takes you to see: a keep, half-timbered houses, a bridge, buildings from different periods...
Access to the village from Blois
- East of the city of Tours
- Driving time from Blois = 30 min
Practical information
- Allow 2 hours to explore the entire village and the keep
- Wear good shoes for the cobblestone streets
- Some slopes
- Parking on the other side of the bridge
- Be careful, there can be a lot of traffic because of the bridge which limits the traffic.
- Choice for restaurants / cafes
- See the best rated accommodations around Montrichard
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
3. Lavardin (50 min)
Why do we love it?
Another village that ticks a lot of boxes: a nice bridge over the Loir (not to be confused with the Loire), a medieval castle, stone houses and a surprising church.
Take your time to discover this village, as each corner brings a different experience:
- Picnic tables along the Loir with a view of the Gothic bridge and fortified castle
- Visit the ruins of the castle that resisted the assault of Richard the Lionheart with beautiful views of the village.
- The church of Saint-Genest de Lavardin, austere from the outside but rich in mural paintings of Carolingian, Byzantine and Romanesque influences.
- troglodytic houses
- ...
Access to the village from Blois
- North of the city of Tours
- Driving time from Blois = 50 min
Practical information
- Allow 1 to 2 hours to explore the entire village and the castle
- Wear good shoes, as the castle tour has no tarmac path.
- The village is on a slope, and the castle requires the ascent of some steps
- Parking in the village center
- Some restaurants / cafes
- This village has the label "Les plus beaux villages de France".
- See the best rated accommodations around Lavardin
4. Chédigny (55 min)
Why do we love it?
Because the village is a garden.
It is even the only village in France to have the label "remarkable garden" not for a park but for the whole village.
Even when the roses are not in bloom, it is very attractive with all the greenery around the houses.
But, if you can, visit when the 1000 rosebushes of the village are blooming to savor the visit with all our senses.
Don't miss the priest's garden with its vegetable garden, orchard and medicinal plants.
And Chedigny also develop its banks of the Indrois for even more moments to admire the beauty of nature.
See more in our dedicated article.
Access to the village from Blois
- East of the city of Tours
- Driving time from Blois = 55 min
Practical information
- Allow 1 hour to explore the entire village and gardens
- Easy to explore, flat
- It is better to come when the roses are in bloom
- Some slopes
- Large parking lot at the entrance of the village
- Some restaurants / cafes
- This village has the label "Remarkable Garden".
- See the best rated accommodations around Chédigny
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:
5. Montrésor (1h)
Why do we love it?
We absolutely fell in love with the village of Montrésor. For us, it is even far ahead of all the others.
Montrésor has everything we like: a small castle, a beautiful church, charming alleys with stone houses and greenery, plus a river that runs through it.
Don't miss the views of the village from the castle and the views of the castle from the walk along the Indrois River.
This village has a crazy charm. It is worth the small detour.
Access to the village from Blois
- South-east of the city of Tours, along the Indrois river
- Not far from the town of Loches
- Driving time from Blois = 1h
Practical information
- Allow 2 to 3 hours to explore the entire village and the castle
- Wear good shoes for the cobblestone streets
- Some slopes
- Parking along the main street, near the tourist office
- Some restaurants / cafes
- To be combined with the discovery of the city of Loches.
- This village has the label "Les plus beaux villages de France".
- See the best rated accommodations around Montrésor
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Other villages and towns near Blois
Chaumont-sur-Loire
20 min drive from Blois.
Surrounding the château, the village on the banks of the Loire is long.
Find out more about the château.
Cheverny
20 min drive from Blois.
Small village around the famous castle.
More ideas in the Loire Valley:
- Best villages near Angers - see list
- Best villages near Saumur - see list
- Best villages near Tours - see list
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
