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 abounds in 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.
And complete your planning with the best attractions in Blois.
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. Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire (15 min)
Why do we love it?
A village a little different from the others, with a rich history during the construction of Chambord. At the time, it was an important port for incoming materials.
Today, it's pleasant to stroll along the Loire with its traditional boats, in the narrow streets that mix stone and greenery, and all around the ramparts. We had a great time.
Here you can relax. The village seems to bring a sense of serenity to visitors. And we wouldn't want to leave.
Take the time to get lost and discover 15th, 16th and 17th century houses. Read our dedicated article here.
Access to the village from Blois
- Between Tours and Orléans, along the Loire River
- Driving time from Blois = 15 min
Practical information
- Allow 1 to 2 hours to explore the entire village and castle.
- It's easy to walk around, and the village is pretty much flat.
- Parking around the church, next to the school and next to the cemetery
- Some restaurants / cafés
- This village has been awarded the "Petite cité de caractère" label.
- View 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're visiting the famous Loire castles around Tours (Chenonceaux, Amboise, Chaumont-sur-Loire), chances are you'll pass through Montrichard. This small town is at the crossroads of everything.
It's a small medieval town dating back to the 11th century, with a historic center along the River Cher.
The views from the banks of the river are magnificent and the tour of the center takes you to see: a keep, timber-framed houses, a bridge, buildings from different periods... Read our dedicated article here.
Access to the village from Blois
- East of Tours
- Driving time from Blois = 30 min
Practical information
- Allow 2 hours to explore the entire village and keep
- Wear good shoes for the cobbled streets
- A little slope
- Parking on the other side of the bridge
- Beware, there may be a lot of traffic due to the bridge which limits traffic.
- Choice for restaurants / cafés
- See the best rated accommodations around Montrichard
A LITTLE MORE patience
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3. Lavardin (50 min)
Why do we love it?
Another village that ticks a lot of boxes: a pretty 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 every corner offers a different experience:
- Picnic tables along the Loir with a view of the Gothic bridge and fortified castle
- A visit to the ruins of the castle that withstood Richard the Lionheart's assault, with beautiful views over the village.
- The church of Saint-Genest de Lavardin, austere from the outside but rich in mural paintings with Carolingian, Byzantine and Romanesque influences.
- troglodytic houses
- ...
Access to the village from Blois
- North of Tours
- Driving time from Blois = 50 min
Practical information
- Allow 1 to 2 hours to explore the entire village and castle
- Wear good shoes, as the castle tour has no tarmac path.
- The village is on a slope, and the castle requires climbing a few steps.
- Parking in the village center
- Some restaurants / cafés
- This village has the label "Les plus beaux villages de France"See the best rated accommodations around Lavardin
It's time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
4. Chédigny (55 min)
Why do we love it?
Because the village is a garden.
In fact, it's the only village in France to have been awarded the "remarkable garden" label, not just for a park, but for the entire 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.
DISCOVER Blois
- Attractions in Blois
- Where to sleep in Blois: best hotels
- Where to eat in Blois: best restaurants
- Castle of Blois
- Saint-Louis Cathedral
- Castles around Blois
- Villages around Blois
Access to the village from Blois
- East of Tours
- Driving time from Blois = 55 min
Practical information
- Allow 1 hour to explore the village and gardens
- Easy to explore, flat
- It's best to come when the roses are in bloom.
- A little slope
- Large parking lot at village entrance
- Some restaurants / cafés
- This village has the "Jardin Remarquable" label
- View the best rated accommodations around Chédigny
5. Montrésor (1h)
Why do we love it?
We absolutely fell under the spell of the village of Montrésor. For us, it's far ahead of all the others.
Montrésor has everything you could wish for: a small castle, a beautiful church, charming lanes with stone houses and greenery, plus a river running through it.
Don't miss the views of the village from the château and the views of the château from the promenade along the Indrois.
This village has a charm all of its own. It's well worth the detour. See our dedicated article.
Access to the village from Blois
- South-east of the city of Tours, along the Indrois river
- Not far from Loches
- Driving time from Blois = 1h
Practical information
- Allow 2 to 3 hours to explore the entire village and castle
- Wear good shoes for the cobbled streets
- A little slope
- Parking along the Grande Rue, near the tourist office
- Some restaurants / cafés
- Combine with a visit to Loches.
- This village has been awarded the label "Les plus beaux villages de France".
- View 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
- Most beautiful villages around Saumur - see list
- Most beautiful villages around Tours - see list
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
