Would you like to visit the magnificent châteaux of the Loire Valley with your faithful four-legged friend? Don't worry! The region offers many opportunities for dogs.
Not all châteaux allow pets inside, but many welcome dogs in their gardens and parks, provided they are kept on a leash.
In this article, we share castles where you can explore while sharing precious moments with your dog.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Origin of our list: Loire Valley castles that can be visited with a dog
We didn't travel with a dog. But we know how important it is for you.
So we've done the research for you, and here's a nice selection of castles you can visit with them.
We've grouped them according to what's allowed. And we've tried to share with you the pages of the official sites where the information can be found, so you can check that nothing has changed.
Dogs allowed on leash in the park and indoors
1. Château d'Ussé (Sleeping Beauty)
The castle of Ussé is one of the most enchanting in the Loire Valley and is suitable for children. We liked its architecture that fits so well with the landscape facing the Indre River, and its tiered gardens designed by Le Nôtre. The visit of the interiors, ends with a collection of wax dolls, which plunges us into the famous tales of Charles Perraut who was inspired by Ussé to write "Sleeping Beauty".
- Near the city of: Tours
- Style: Renaissance
- Interesting for: exterior architecture, wax doll re-enactments and gardens
- Open all year except December and January.
- Timetable on the official website here
And page here states that "Our dog friends are welcome in all places visited ." - More photos and tips in our article
2. Château de Langeais
Facing outwards, Château de Langeais is a typically defensive medieval castle. On the other side (facing the gardens), it is a typical renaissance royal dwelling. You will enjoy beautiful views of the (very) photogenic castle from the park and you can watch areenactment of the wedding of Anne of Brittany and Charles VIII inside. Royal, right?
- Nearest city: Tours
- Style: medieval and renaissance
- Interesting for: exterior architecture, re-enactment of the royal wedding in Wax dolls
- Open to visitors all year round
- Timetable on the official website here
And page indicating that dogs are allowed here in the "Services" section - More photos and tips in our article
WHERE TO STAY IN THE Loire Valley
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
3. Château de Montsoreau
Château de Montsoreau is an early French Renaissance château, at the foot of which flows the Loire River. Now dedicated tocontemporary art, it offers a setting in which the works can fully breathe and give their full potential. The view from the terrace of the guard road almost justifies the visit.
- Nearest city: Saumur
- Style: between Gothic and Renaissance
- Interesting for: exterior architecture, museum, view
- Open to visitors all year round
- Timetable on the official website here
And the page here, informs that "Dogs accepted inside and outside the museum, kept on a leash." - More photos and tips in our article (coming soon).
4. Château de Serrant
At the gates of Angers, a surprising castle of great interest, which is distinguished by its constancy. Although it was built over nearly two centuries, it is authentically Renaissance, its plans having not evolved with the architects. But it is most notable for its furniture and its incredible library, the result of several centuries of acquisitions by the various owners.
- Nearest city: Angers
- Style: Renaissance
- Interesting for: furniture
- Open to visitors from April1 to October 31 and during school vacations.
- Possibility of accommodation: no
- Timetable on the official website here
This page here says "Dogs allowed on leash, cats allowed in carrier bag." - More photos and tips in our article
5. Château de Montpoupon
A rather surprising castle that seems to emerge from the forest and protect it. Built on the ruins of a medieval stronghold, the castle continued to evolve architecturally until the 20th century. The castle offers a rich museum dedicated to the world of hunting.
- Nearest city: Tours
- Style: renaissance
- Interesting for: Veneur museum
- Opening period: February to December
- Opening hours and page indicating that dogs are allowed here (in the last section)
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.
Dogs allowed on a leash in the park, and carried in a bag indoors.
6. Chenonceau Castle
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.
- Claire and Manu in love
- Near the town of: Amboise
- Style: Renaissance
- Of interest for: exterior and interior architecture, furniture and gardens
- Open to visitors all year round
- Timetable on the official website here
And the page here states that "dogs must be kept on a leash in the gardens, and little ones in their arms or in a basket when visiting the château". - More photos and tips in our article
7. Villandry Castle
Villandry impressed us for its breathtaking gardens and their permanent dialogue with the rooms of the castle. The gardens were redesigned in the 20th century according to the rules of the Renaissance and adopt a tiered structure that corresponds to that of the castle. Just gorgeous!
- A favorite of Manu's
- Near the city of: Tours
- Style: Renaissance
- Of interest for: interior architecture and gardens
- Open to visitors: December and February to mid-November
- Timetable on the official website here
The page here states that "Dogs kept on a lead throughout the visit are allowed in the gardens. Only small dogs carried in a suitable bag/basket throughout the visit are allowed in the castle." - More photos and tips in our article
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:
8. Château Royal d'Amboise
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
- Timetable on the official website here
And the page here states that "Dogs on leash in the park, Dogs carried in the dwelling". - More photos and tips in our article
9. Clos Lucé (Leonardo da Vinci)
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
- And the page here says: "Dogs are allowed on the site.
They must be carried into the home and kept on a leash in the park." - More photos and tips in our article
10. Château de Sully-sur-Loire
The castle of Sully-sur-Loir is one of the first castles when you go down the Loire. Itsimpressive moat is fed by the river Sange which crosses theimmense park of the castle of 42 hectares.
- Near the city of: Orleans
- Style: mosaic from the 15th century onwards
- Interesting for: exterior architecture and park
- Seasonal opening: February to December
- Timetable on the official website here
- And the page here, states that "except for small dogs carried in a bag, pets are unfortunately not allowed in the château (including reception)."
Subscribe to our Newsletter
- Get away from it all with Region Lovers' beautiful destinations!
- Once a month
- Advertising-free
11. Château du Lude
The castle of Le Lude is distinguished by its geographical position on the border of Anjou and Maine, which exposed it to the ravages of the Hundred Years War. Rebuilt in the Renaissance style in the 15th and 16th centuries, and extensively remodeled in the 19th, it offers a rather massive architecture that contrasts with theelegance of the gardens. The park is bordered by the river Loir which gives it a very special atmosphere.
- Nearest city: Tours
- Style: 15th and 19th century
- Of interest for: architecture and gardens
- Open to visitors from April1 to October 31 and during school vacations.
- Timetable on the official website here
- And the page here states that "Dogs are allowed in the gardens, but must be kept on a leash throughout the visit. Only small dogs carried in a bag/basket throughout the visit are allowed in the castle."
12. Château Forteresse de Chinon
On the borders of Anjou, Tourraine and Poitou, a beautiful medieval fortress made up of 3 separate but adjoining castles. Situated on a rocky spur, the fortress stretches for 300 meters and overlooks the Vienne River, which flows through the valley, and the town of Chinon.
- Nearest city: Saumur
- Style: 10th to 13th century
- Interesting for: exterior architecture
- Period of opening to the visit : all year long
- Timetable on the official website here
And the page here says: "Dogs allowed in the park on a leash. In the buildings, only animals carried in the arms or in a bag are allowed."
13. Château de Brézé
In the castle of Brezé, it's what you can't see that is the most interesting! Not that the Italian Renaissance building, erected in the16th century, is unattractive, but the troglodytic network that runs 4 km through the moat and beneath the château is simply incredible.
- Nearest city: Saumur
- Style: Italian Renaissance
- Interesting for: cave network
- Open all year round, closed in January
- Timetable on the official website here
And the page here that says "Dogs are only allowed inside the castle and underground passages if they are being carried."
14. Château de Meung-sur-Loire
Between a medieval castle and a large dwelling, the castle of Meung-sur-Loire is a former fortified episcopal palace which housed the bishops of Orleans and was also used as a prison. To note, a chilling visit to the torture room...
- Nearest city: Orléans
- Style: 12th century
- Interesting for: furniture
- Opening period: February to October
- Possibility of accommodation: no
- Timetable on the official website here
- And the page here says "Dog in basket".
15. Château de Montrésor
This small castle mixes some elements of a medieval fortress with a royal dwelling of the renaissance. What makes the interest of the castle of Montrésor, it is its idyllic integration in its natural framework. Built on a rocky outcrop, it watches over the Indrois river which laps in the valley.
- Nearest cities: Tours or Blois
- Style: medieval and renaissance
- Interesting for: exterior architecture
- Open to visitors from early February to November 11 and during school vacations.
- Timetable on the official website here
- The tourist office says it's possible, but the website doesn't give the rules. So we can't confirm this.
Dogs allowed on leash in the park only
16. Chambord Castle
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
- Timetable on the official website here
- And the page here says: "Chateau de Chambord allows leashed dogs in the park."
- More photos and tips in our article
17. Valençay Castle
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
- Timetable on the official website here
- And the page here says: "Dogs are only allowed in the park, on a leash."
- More photos and tips in our article
18. Chaumont-sur-Loire estate
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
- Timetable on the official website here
- And the page here says: "Dogs allowed in the Festival International des Jardins and Parcs du Domaine areas (on a short lead)."
- More photos and tips in our article
19. Château du Rivau
The castle of Rivau is a magical castle that tells us about the life of these agricultural regions in the Middle Ages. We loved it! The owners take us back and forth between renaissance and contemporary art, but also between nature and architecture. This is the other (very) strong point of the castle, its 15 remarkable gardens with a resolutely dreamlike universe.
- Claire and Emmanuel's favourites
- Nearest city: Tours
- Style: 17th century
- Interesting for: architecture, interiors and parkland
- Open to visitors: April 1 to November 13
- Opening hours here
And the same page states that "Leashed dogs are welcome in the gardens, but not allowed in the castle's rooms." - read our full article
Castles where dogs are not allowed
- The case of Château de Cheverny
Surprisingly, dogs are not allowed at Château de Cheverny. According to information provided by the château, for health and safety reasons, pets are not allowed, even in the park. The main reason is the presence of a pack of over 100 hunting dogs on the estate, which could cause disturbance.
And also, during our last audit:
- Château d'Azay le Rideau
- Castle of Blois
- Castle of Brissac-Quincé
- Castle of Montreuil-Bellay
- Castle of the Dukes of Brittany (Nantes)
- Castle of Saumur
- Castle of Angers
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
