Would you like to visit Blois in 2 days? You're right, it's the ideal length of time to discover this pearl of the Loire Valley. We fell in love with this pretty town, which has so much to offer: a huge castle, amazing museums, exceptional panoramasand a historic heritage!
Our itineraries will guide you through Blois. Optimize your stay and make up your own mind about this destination with our practical tips and plenty of 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.
Practical tips for a 2-day visit to Blois
What can you see in Blois in a weekend? Is it long enough?
It's the ideal length of time to take in all the sights of Blois, while taking your time. Staying overnight is an excellent idea, as the town is an ideal base from which to explore the famous Châteaux of the Loire Valley.
Maps of must-see attractions
To help you find your way around our itinerary below, here's our map of the main tourist attractions in Blois:
Getting around Blois
Getting around Blois on foot is ideal in the historic center, as most streets are pedestrianized and the atmosphere is very pleasant.
Most points of interest, such as the Château Royal, town houses and Saint-Louis Cathedral, are just a few minutes away.
The farthest sites from the historic center are the quays of the Loire (14min walk) and La Fondation du Doute (12min walk), but these are still very reasonable.
Although the town can be steep, with steep streets and numerous staircases, it's still an enjoyable place to explore. Please note, however, that the Escalier Denis Papin is well worth the few steps and that a car will be needed to explore the surrounding areas of Blois, such as the castles, as these sites are not served directly by public transport.
Where to stay 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
Our ideal itinerary: 2 days in Blois
This itinerary is designed for a turnkey weekend. It's perfect if you arrive as early as Friday evening, but can easily be adjusted for a Saturday morning arrival. The activities on offer are easily adaptable, as they are not subject to strict time constraints. We recommend that you only visit the historic center on Saturdays, when Blois is busier and the stores are open until 7pm.
Day 1 in Blois
9am-12pm: Tour of the Château Royal
The Château Royal de Blois is well worth a visit! This may not be the best-known château in the Loire region, but it's nonetheless one of the most interesting. Outside alone, you'll get a quick lesson in architecture, as you observe the Château's four wings ranging from flamboyant Gothic to Classicism.
Once inside, you'll be charmed by the opulent decor of the apartments and the collections of the Musée des Beaux-Arts, also housed in the Château.
Find out more in our article dedicated to the Château de Blois.
12:30-2pm: Gourmet lunch
After a morning full of discoveries, it's time to regain our strength.
In fine weather, we recommend Restaurant L'Oratoire (a 5-minute walk from the Château), offering fusion cuisine on a lovely terrace. You can also picnic in the pretty park adjacent to the Eglise Saint-Vincent-de-Paul.
If the weather doesn't cooperate, you can find more addresses in our gourmet article!
2pm-5pm: Stroll through downtown Blois and discover its historic heritage
There's nothing like stretching your legs after a good meal! The historic center of Blois will charm you with its picturesque lanes, timber-framed houses (especially those on rue Saint-Lubin) and charming little squares. Take a look at the Hôtel d'Alluye, one of the finest of the town's 20 private mansions, or discover its religious heritage, such as theEglise Saint-Nicolas.
5.30-7.30pm: Relaxing at the spa
There's nothing like a moment of relaxation after a busy day of sightseeing! Numerous addresses in and around Blois offer wellness areas, but we have to say that we prefer the one at L'Hôtel Fleur de Loire.
It features a Sisley-brand spa, with a 450m2 wellness area with steam room and sauna, a "tisanerie" and 2 swimming pools.
We were tempted by the varied massage menu (including the Fleur de Loire massage with herbal products). A delicious way to end the day!
8-10pm: Dinner in a bistronomic restaurant
Blois' culinary scene will delight gourmets with its varied and inventive offering, where local chefs compete in creativity to showcase local produce.
The Au Rendez-vous des Pêcheurs restaurant is a must in the downtown area, and for lovers of excellence, Michelin-starred restaurants like Ezia, Amour Blanc and Christopher Hay (2 stars) promise a real trip! Find more restaurants in our Where to eat in Blois 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:
Day 2 in Blois
10h-11h30: Admire the city from the banks of the Loire
Why not start your day with a breath of fresh air?
After exploring the city's interior and every nook and cranny the day before, you can step back and admire Blois from its particularly photogenic quayside. To enjoy this peaceful, poetic picture, simply cross the Pont Jacques Gabriel and go to the Quais Amédée Constant. It's up to you to decide how long you want your stroll to last, as the quayside is so welcoming and well-equipped (boardwalk, deckchairs and even a guinguette in fine weather).
11:30am-12:30pm: Discover Blois Cathedral and the Bishop's Gardens
Overlooking the Loire with its elegant allure, Blois' Cathédrale Saint-Louis is well worth a visit! Its Gothic-Classical façade makes a striking first impression, with its imposing Renaissance bell tower.
Inside, 360 sq. m. of contemporary stained glass flood the nave with soft light, allowing visitors to appreciate the sacred art pieces housed within.
Just behind the cathedral, the Jardins de l'Evêché offer a haven of peace in the heart of Blois. With its verdant terraces and plunging views over the Loire Valley, it's an ideal place to take a break during a day's sightseeing. The Roseraie features over 50 varieties of roses blooming in spring, while the Jardin des Sens invites you to explore medicinal plants.
12pm-1pm: Take to the skies with the Escalier Denis Papin
After this heritage-focused first part of the morning, it's time for modernity! Blois also reveals a dynamic face, notably through the Denis Papin staircase, just a 6-minute walk from the gardens.
Every year, the staircase is given a new look by an artist. When we went there, we were surprised to discover a typographic décor in volume inspired by the world of George Maciunas, a major artist of the Fluxus movement. Find out more on the town's website here.
13h-14h30: Lunch break
After this busy morning, we recommend a short break for a bite to eat! As you're in the upper part of town, we recommend Restaurant Le Petit Honfleur (2min walk up the stairs).
In this charming timber-framed restaurant, we sampled tasty and creative market cuisine, where local products are the order of the day!
2pm-4pm: Immerse yourself in contemporary art at the Fondation du Doute
The Fondation du Doute is the place to go to discover artists of our time and of the Fluxus movement, an international artistic movement born in the 1960s. In this astonishing museum, over 300 works by 50 different artists can be discovered, including the emblematic Marcel Duchamp, George Brecht, Nam June Paik and Ben Vautier, who founded the museum.
After your visit, you can even grab a bite to eat at Café Fluxus before heading home with a lifetime of memories!
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.
Alternative 1: Blois en Famille
Opt for a fun tour
If you want to delight your children, go to the House of Magic!
This atypical museum offers an immersive tour of the world of illusion, with over 700 objects and works of magic, as well as a number of activities to make the visit even more fun. Every day, several magic shows are presented in the Grand Théâtre to surprise and amaze young and old alike!
Alternatively, you can opt for the bd Boum-Maison de la BD, dedicated to comics and featuring some great exhibitions.
Don't forget snack time!
The sacred moment of the day for the little ones! You'll find many tearooms in the city, including the Douce Heure tearoom, which we tried out, and the BloMaid tearoom for its crazy cookies.
If you're pressed for time, opt for a sweet picnic in one of the city's parks. Sim's Bakery is a great alternative.
Explore the city through the route
Here's a fun way for your kids to discover Blois! Follow the path marked by bronze porcupines on the ground and ask them to guide you! This little animal, emblem of King Louis XII, will help you find your way around the old town's landmarks. Find out more here.
Alternative 2: Nature immersion in Blois
Discover the banks of the Loire on foot or by bike
Treat yourself to an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the Loire Valley from Blois. You can rent your bike in the town center (there are several rental companies) and take the famous Loire à vélo route.
We also recommend the Randonnée des trois ponts, a 2.5-hour loop to enjoy the Loire, majestic views of Blois and, if you're lucky, local wildlife! (more information here).
In summer, you can even enjoy the guinguettes on the quays of Amédée Constant, in La Creusille (more info here), and admire the sunset with live music.
Opt for a boat trip!
Embark on an unforgettable experience on the peaceful waters of the Loire!
Here's an original way to discover the royal river, aboard a fûtreau, a traditional flat-bottomed Loire boat. You'll be able to observe the local fauna (terns, gravelots, egrets), perhaps take a break on a Loire island, and above all admire the scenery in and around Blois.
Find out more on the Loire Valley website here.
Explore a nearby village
In addition to the nearby Châteaux de la Loire, the town of Blois is surrounded by pretty villages to explore, such as medieval Montrichard or the village of Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire, where visitors are delighted by the peace and quiet that exudes from the river and its lanes invaded by nature. The hardest part will be choosing!
See our selection of the most beautiful villages in our dedicated article.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
- Get away from it all with Region Lovers' beautiful destinations!
- Once a month
- Advertising-free
Other suggestions around Blois
Explore the Châteaux of the Loire
Blois has the advantage of being at the crossroads of several emblematic Loire Valley châteaux, such as Château de Chambord (20min to the south) and its iconic double spiral staircase, or Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire (20min to the west) and its incredible International Garden Festival.
Need more inspiration? Read our article on the castles around Blois!
Visit Amboise
Why not take advantage of your stay in Blois to discover Amboise (only 40 minutes away by car)? A veritable open-air museum, Amboise boasts 3 châteaux: the Château Royal overlooking the town; Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci's last home and a celebration of his genius; and the surprising Château Gaillard with its Italian gardens. The town also boasts a charming town center and soothing quays along the Loire.
What you need to know for your weekend in Blois
The weather in Blois
We advise you to come and enjoy the city of Blois in fine weather, especially as we consider the banks of the Loire in Blois to be the most beautiful in the region!
However, the climate remains mild all year round and very pleasant throughout the Loire Valley, so come whenever you like!
Crowds in Blois
The towns of the Loire Valley are popular destinations the world over. As the summer season is very touristy, the number of visitors can be higher. We therefore advise you to make advance reservations at Blois' restaurants, which are often crowded between castle visits.
Adapt your itinerary when it rains
If it rains during your day in Blois, don't panic, because the town's must-see sites - the Château Royal and the Fondation du Doute - offer a wealth of sheltered trails! You can also visit the Natural History Museum (more info here) or one of the city's 3 churches.
The town also organizes numerous cultural events (more info here). You'll be tempted by the eclectic range of shows on offer at Halle aux Grains, a national stage whose program can be found on the official website here.
Blois is also a perfect town for epicureans who don't want to get wet, as the many restaurants in the center are within easy walking distance.
Discover our selection of the best places to eat in Blois.
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
