Would you like to visit the Loire Valley and are wondering whether to go to Blois or Tours?
We love both destinations. The choice is difficult, but we're here to help you with our opinions on specific criteria.
Here's our Blois vs Tours comparison with tips and photos.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Blois or Tours: quick response
Blois and Tours are two of the Loire Valley's must-see cities, just 35 minutes apart. Tours is a lively university town, ideal for those looking for nightlife, museums and a wide choice of restaurants. Smaller Blois boasts a castle in the center of town, narrow hillside streets and a more peaceful atmosphere. For a relaxing vacation, we're leaning towards Blois. But if you're looking for a dynamic base to spread throughout the region, Tours is the obvious choice.
The advantage of Blois is its immediate proximity to Chambord and Chenonceau, the two most beautiful and famous castles in the region.
Tours, on the other hand, offers more convenient access to the castles to the west of the valley, such as Villandry and Azay-le-Rideau.
WHERE TO STAY IN THE Loire Valley
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
Access + Location to explore the region
Location
Both towns are on the main axis of the Loire Valley, with easy access to numerous châteaux and villages.
Here are a few timetables to help you get your bearings:
- Blois to Tours: 35min drive
- Blois to Amboise: 35min drive
- Tours to Saumur: 1h drive
- Paris to Blois: 2h10 drive
- Paris to Tours: 2h30 drive
Here is a map to help you find your way:
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.
Access
Both towns are served by train from Paris and the region's major cities.
Tours, being larger, benefits from higher train frequencies and better connections to the west.
- From Paris, direct train to Blois (1h30)
- From Paris, direct train to Tours (1h15 by TGV)
- From Tours, direct train to Blois (40min)
See available timetables and book your train tickets.
City atmosphere
Atmosphere in Blois
Blois boasts a historic, well-kept atmosphere. The town is set on a hillside, with steep streets, staircases and panoramic views over the Loire. As you stroll along, you'll discover half-timbered houses, mansions and an imposing château right in the heart of the town. We particularly like the views from the river banks at the end of the day.
Blois is a town that lives and breathes through its inhabitants, which makes it less of a tourist attraction than Amboise. Find the best things to do in Blois here.
Atmosphere in Tours
Tours is a lively university town, whose bustle contrasts with the calm of the Loire countryside. The old town of Tours, with its half-timbered houses and famous Place Plumereau, invites you to take a stroll. Bars and restaurants abound in the historic district, especially in the evening. We found this energy both stimulating and at times a little far removed from the "vacation" spirit we're looking for in the region.
Find the best things to do in Tours here.
Our review
We prefer the atmosphere of Blois for a stay in the region: more authentic, more peaceful, and just as well placed for exploring the valley.
Nearby Loire castles
Castles around Blois
Blois is ideally placed for visiting the Loire's most emblematic châteaux. It also has its own castle in the town center.
Among the closest:
Château de Blois (in the center of Blois)
One of the richest châteaux in the Loire Valley, with a wealth of furnishings
>> Book your tickets
Chateau de Chambord (20min east)
The most imposing of the Loire castles
>> Book your tickets
Cheverny Castle (20min south)
Famous for the world of Tintin and its well-kept grounds
Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire (20min west)
With its park and contemporary gardens
>> Book your tickets
See our article on the most beautiful châteaux around Blois with photos and tips.
Castles around Tours
Tours is a very central base from which to radiate throughout the valley, both east and west.
Among the nearest castles:
Château de Villandry (30min west)
Renowned for its formal gardens
>> Book your tickets
Château d'Azay-le-Rideau (30min west)
One of the most romantic in the Loire Valley
>> Book your tickets
Château de Chenonceau (45min east)
One of the best-known and most elegant
>> Book your tickets
See our article on the most beautiful châteaux around Tours, with photos and tips.
Our review
Equality. Both towns offer access to a wide variety of castles, including some of the finest in the valley. Blois is slightly closer to the castles in the east, Tours to those in the west.
Hotels: Blois vs Tours
Hotels in Blois
The hotel offer in Blois is less extensive than in Tours, but includes a particularly outstanding establishment: the Hôtel Fleur de Loire, one of the best 5-star hotels in the Loire Valley. For more affordable budgets, a few charming addresses complete the selection.
See prices, photos and availability for Fleur de Loire Hotel.
For more ideas, read our article on the best hotels in Blois.
Hotels in Tours
Tours offers a wider range of hotels, from palaces to small boutique hotels. The city boasts a number of establishments housed in historic buildings, adding to the charm of your stay. In particular, we recommend
5-star Hôtel Les Trésorières, with indoor pool and spacious rooms
See photos, prices and availability
Hôtel Oceania L'Univers, in a fully renovated historic building in the heart of the city center
See photos, prices and availability
Hôtel Ferdinand, a charming little hotel in the city center, whose design and warm welcome we really appreciated.
See photos, prices and availability
For more ideas, read our article on the best hotels in Tours.
Our review
Tours offers a wider choice at all levels of the range. However, Blois stands out for the Hôtel Fleur de Loire, an exceptional address in the region.
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Attractions, museums and monuments
Attractions in Blois
Blois' main attractions are:
- Discover the impressive furniture collection at Château de Blois
- Stroll along the banks of the Loire with beautiful panoramic views
- Explore the narrow streets and admire the half-timbered houses
- Marvel at the Museum of Magic
- Enjoy the view from the cathedral garden
- ...
Find out more in our article on the best attractions in Blois.
Attractions in Tours
Tours' main attractions are:
- Visit Tours Cathedral and its remarkable stained-glass windows
- Rediscovering the poet Ronsard at Prieuré Saint-Cosme
- Stroll through the old town of Tours and its historic houses
- Explore the collections of the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours, from the Renaissance to the 20th century
- Climbing the Charlemagne Tower
- Stroll through the botanical gardens
- Discover arts and crafts at the Musée du Compagnonnage
- …
Find out more in our article on the best attractions in Tours.
Our review
Tours offers a wider range of museums and activities than Blois. However, the Château de Blois and the Musée de la Magie make for a very satisfying cultural stopover.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
Most beautiful villages nearby
The two towns are close to each other and provide access to the same villages in the Loire Valley. Here are some of the most interesting:
Chédigny
The garden village, famous for the rose bushes that line the main street
40min from Tours, 1h from Blois
Crissay-sur-Manse
A village off the beaten track, with beautiful buildings and appreciable tranquillity
40min from Tours, 1h15 from Blois
Lavardin
A journey back to the Middle Ages, between castle ruins and a church with remarkable frescoes
50min from Tours, 55min from Blois
Montrésor
In our opinion, the most beautiful village in the Loire Valley, with a small château.
1h from Tours, 1h10 from Blois
Candes-Saint-Martin and Montsoreau
Two elegant villages on the banks of the Loire
50min from Tours, 1h30 from Blois
See the full list in our article on the most beautiful villages near Blois.
It's time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
Best gastronomic offer
Restaurants in Blois
Blois has a strong gastronomic scene, with several gourmet and bistronomic restaurants showcasing local produce. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality and creativity of some of the addresses.
Among our favorite restaurants:
- Amour Blanc restaurant at the Hôtel Fleur de Loire, the region's leading gourmet restaurant
- Restaurant La Botte d'Asperges, creative and generous cuisine
- Restaurant Au Rendez-Vous des Pêcheurs, for fish lovers in a luminous setting
Discover our selection of the best restaurants in Blois.
Restaurants in Tours
Tours boasts a varied offering, from international restaurants to wine bars and bistronomic tables. The city isn't the region's top gastronomic destination, but it's full of surprises. We had a great time there.
Among our favorite addresses:
- Restaurant La Deuvalière, a bistronomic break in a beautiful stone room
- Restaurant Makeda, original and generous Ethiopian flavours
- Espace Hades restaurant, ideal for a light lunch, with delicious thin-crust crêpes
- Restaurant "Tutu à Loire et à Manger", a friendly wine bar just a stone's throw from Les Halles
Discover our selection of the best restaurants in Tours.
Our review
We have a slight preference for the Blois gastronomic offering, which is more rooted in local produce. Tours is more attractive for its diversity and its wine bars.
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Easy to get around these cities
Tours is a big city: getting in and out takes a little longer, especially at rush hour. The more compact Blois is easier to explore on foot, even if its sloping streets can be surprising. In both cases, a car is recommended to explore the surrounding castles and villages.
Can we visit Blois and Tours on the same trip?
Yes, it is. The two towns are only a 35-minute drive apart, and the train service is direct (40 minutes). So it's easy to stay in one and spend a day in the other.
And why not other cities/regions?
Other towns along the Loire, such as Amboise, Saumur and Angers, are also well worth a visit.
See our list of the most beautiful towns on the Loire.
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
