{"id":4272,"date":"2023-06-26T21:52:12","date_gmt":"2023-06-26T19:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loirelovers.fr\/nos-circuits-chateaux-de-la-loire-3-days-advice-photos\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T20:35:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T18:35:39","slug":"loire-valley-3-days-itinerary-castle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loirelovers.fr\/en\/loire-valley-3-days-itinerary-castle\/","title":{"rendered":"Loire Valley in 3 days (itineraries): castles + photos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Looking to plan your 3-day Loire Valley<\/strong> itinerary and don't know where to start? Whether you're planning a romantic<\/strong> getaway or a family<\/strong> vacation, we'll try to help.<\/p>\n\n

It's hard to choose between the countless magnificent castles<\/strong> along the royal river, and you'll need to be astute to complement your visits with the best choice of hotels<\/strong> and restaurants<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

In this article, we'll start by giving you a few tips<\/strong> on how to best plan your stay, followed by a selection of our favorite tours<\/strong>. With plenty of photos<\/strong> to help you make your own choice.<\/p>\n\n

\"3-day<\/figure>\n\n

These reviews are completely independent<\/strong>, we visited anonymously<\/strong> and paid for our admissions, accommodation and restaurants in full.<\/p>\n\n

6 tips for visiting the Loire Valley in 3 days<\/h2>\n\n

1. Map of the main Loire ch\u00e2teaux <\/h3>\n\n

As a picture is sometimes worth a thousand words, we've prepared a small map<\/strong> showing the main \n ch\u00e2teaux of the Loire Valley<\/a>\n<\/strong> and major towns<\/strong> to help you find your way around.<\/p>\n\n

\"3-day<\/figure>\n\n

2. Departure city<\/h3>\n\n

If you're coming by train, and given the relatively short duration of your stay, we recommend departing from Tours<\/strong> - Saint Pierre des Corps, which is the TGV station closest to the main ch\u00e2teaux.<\/p>\n\n

\"front<\/figure>\n\n

We've also put together a tour starting from Angers<\/strong> that allows you to travel further up the Loire and enjoy the magnificent scenery of this wild river.<\/p>\n\n

Last option, Blois<\/strong>, which is a little less central and requires a change, but offers sufficient choice for 3 days.<\/p>\n\n

See the available schedules and book your train tickets now<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

If you're coming by plane, you can either fly into Nantes airport <\/strong>and reach Tours by TGV or car<\/a>, or land in Paris and rent a car at the airport(Charles de Gaulle<\/a> or Orly<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n

3. The right rhythm<\/h3>\n\n

Visiting castles, especially the most imposing (Chambord, Chenonceau...) takes time<\/strong>. In addition to the richness of the architecture and furnishings, you'll often have to travel long distances, especially if you want to visit the gardens.<\/p>\n\n

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We recommend that you don't try to see too much,<\/strong> or you'll leave frustrated and looking at your watch. It's best to start withone castle per day<\/strong>, or 2 if you're working on smaller castles.<\/p>\n\n

But you'll see that, alongside the chateaux, there are many beautiful villages<\/strong> to discover in the Loire Valley, and towns with a rich heritage<\/strong> to explore (cathedrals, museums, historic centers...).<\/p>\n\n

4. The right equipment<\/h3>\n\n

As you'll see, our ancestors were very fond of steps<\/strong>, and staircases were a place of pageantry. As for old-fashioned cobblestones<\/strong>, while they have a charm all of their own, they don't offer the same qualities of comfort as our modern paving.<\/p>\n\n

\"double-revolution
Double spiral staircase in the Ch\u00e2teau de Saumur<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Without necessarily going for hiking boots, we advise you to avoid open or slippery shoes.<\/p>\n\n

Don't forget to bring a water bottle<\/strong>, as not all castles have catering facilities, and the crowds could slow you down unnecessarily.<\/p>\n\n

5. Opt for a ticket<\/h3>\n\n

Many castles offer special tickets<\/strong> via specialized platforms. We'll provide you with the links whenever this option is available.<\/p>\n\n

They can save you precious time<\/strong>, allowing you to concentrate on the essentials. We're big fans of these solutions.<\/p>\n\n

6. Moving between castles<\/h3>\n\n

Unfortunately, you won't have the choice: to visit the ch\u00e2teaux of the Loire freely, you'll need a car<\/strong> or good legs to enjoy the pleasant Loire bike<\/strong> trails. There are also a number of buses, mainly departing from Tours.<\/p>\n\n

\"Photo<\/figure>\n\n

We've still put together a car-free tour for you, but the choice is inevitably more limited, as most of the castles were built three centuries before the development of the train!<\/p>\n\n

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OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n