The Loire Valley in France is a region that’s defined by the Loire River. In just a 175 mile stretch of this river, you’ll find 300 castles, or chateaux, dotting the countryside. A visit to the Loire Valley is bound to give any traveler chateaux overload, but it’s absolutely worth the visit. You’ll have plenty of choices, but in order to minimize burnout, it’s important to do some proper planning and be smart with your visit to the chateaux of the Loire Valley.
Getting Around the Loire Valley
If you do any amount of research for visiting chateaux of the Loire Valley, you’ll see time and time again that “you have to have a car”. While it can be significantly more convenient to have your own vehicle, particularly if you visit in the low season, it’s definitely possible to travel by public transportation.
If you’re not keen on renting a car, you still have options. Despite what people will have you believe, it is totally possible to travel the Loire Valley without a car. That said, I will admit it can be a bit more work logistically–particularly if you travel in the low season.
Check out my post about the Lorie Valley Without a Car, which has all of the information I wish I had when I planned my car-free trip around the Loire Valley.
Chateaux of the Loire Valley
As mentioned, there are 300 chateaux sprinkled across the Loire Valley. It’s not possible to see them all so you’ll have to do some major picking and choosing. For most travelers, the top chateaux can be found in the list below. I’ll talk about each chateau, why you should visit it, some practical information, and my own experience (if I visited that chateau).
Chateau Royal d’Amboise
About the Chateau
This Loire Valley chateau is one of the easiest to visit and it’s one that many travelers seem to focus on. This chateau is situated on a hill that overlooks the village of Amboise. As you come into the city, the chateau looks beautiful on that hill and you have equally amazing views of the village when you’re at the top of the chateau.
The actual chateau can be quick to visit as there’s only a handful of rooms that are open to the public. But you’ll also have the opportunity to explore the gardens and grounds and to explore the chapel. The chateau’s chapel is supposedly where Leonardo da Vinci was buried, although no one seems to know where exactly in the chapel he was buried. But you can still visit the chapel (if it’s not under renovations like it was during my visit).
Why Should You Visit
If you’re already in Amboise, it’s worth a visit. The town of Amboise is lovely, so make sure you budget some time to explore the town when you’re finished at the chateau. If I’m honest, I enjoyed the town of Amboise more than the chateau.
My Thoughts
If I’m honest, this wasn’t a very exciting chateau. Many chateaux have the rooms decorated and have a lot more information. The only way to really get a feel for what the rooms might have looked like was to use their Histopads and utilize virtual reality, which felt kind of gimmicky. However, the views overlooking the town of Amboise were incredible.
If you come to Amboise, it’s definitely worth a visit, but of the four Loire Valley chateaux that I toured, this was my least favorite. It just didn’t have the wow factor I was looking for.
For more information, visit the chateau’s website.
Chateau du Clos Luce
About the Chateau
Clos Luce is another chateau that can be found in Amboise. This chateau is perfect for people who want to learn more about Leonardo da Vinci. Clos Luce is where da Vinci spent the last years of his life. This chateau may not be as grand as some of the other chateau, but you will find replicas of many of da Vinci’s inventions.
Why Should You Visit
If you want to learn more about Leonardo da Vinci, definitely add this to your list.
My Thoughts
I skipped this chateau for two reasons. First, I ran out of time and had to pick between exploring the town of Amboise and exploring Clos Luce (I picked exploring the town and have no regrets). Second, Clos Luce had the highest entry fee of any chateaux I would have visited on this trip. Since I was looking more for grand extravagance, I skipped Clos Luce.
For more information, visit the chateau’s website.
Chateau Chenonceau
About the Chateau
If you look at promotional information for the Loire Valley, odds are good it’s either this chateau or Chateau Chambord that are featured. This beautiful chateau has a long history. In 1547, King Henry II, gave the chateau to his mistress, Diane de Portier. When King Henry II died, his wife, Catherine de Medici, kicked Diane de Portier out of the chateau and took it over. Throughout all of this, construction of the iconic bridge continued. Now it’s one of the most iconic and beautiful chateaux of the Loire Valley.
Why Should You Visit
You should visit to see the iconic chateau and it’s stunning bridge, but also take the time to learn the history of this building. The chateau does a very good job explaining the history of the royal feud that led to its various occupants, but you’ll also find that it has some interesting World War II history.
My Thoughts
Chenonceau is a chateau that should be on everyone’s list. It’s grand, it’s opulent, and it’s just a beautiful chateau to explore. This was tied for my favorite chateau of my trip (I just couldn’t bring myself to choose a favorite).
For more information, including pre-booking your tickets, visit the chateau’s website.
Chateau de Blois
About the Chateau
Chateau de Blois has been inhabited since the 900s, which is just crazy to think about. While some of these grounds date back to the middle ages, King Louis XII and King Francois I built most of the chateau you see today. You’ll enter the chateau and pass through an museum focusing on the construction and the oldest parts of the chateau. Once through that, you start getting into the grandiose parts of the chateau as you tour royal apartments and massive halls.
Why Should You Visit
If you have to choose between Blois and Amboise, I pick Blois. The chateau was just so much better and was an unexpected surprise.
My Thoughts
When I started planning, Blois wasn’t on my radar, but I soon found it would be an easy addition to my Loire Valley chateaux adventure. After visiting, it ended up being tied for my favorite chateau of the trip (with Chenonceau). I didn’t have high expectations, but Chateau de Blois blew my expectations out of the water.
The chateau was beautiful, the history was interesting, and it was over the top and just what I was looking for. Plus, the town of Blois was lovely to walk around—I just wish I would have been here on a day when there was more open (so try not to visit on a Sunday).
For more information, visit the chateau’s website.
Chateau Chaumont-sur-Loire
About the Chateau
This is the chateau Diane de Portier was banished to when she was kicked out of Chenonceau. It’s said that she was depressed because Chaumont-sur-Loire was not as good as Chenonceau. I visited both chateaux and I can see where she is coming from. Chaumont-sur-Loire is nice, but it’s not Chenonceau.
The exterior of the chateau looks like something out of a fairy tale. Meanwhile the interior is full of various art installations. In the high season, the gardens come alive as part of the International Garden Festival.
Why Should You Visit
If you love modern art, you need to add this chateau to the top of your list. But even if you aren’t a modern art lover, you’ll still find some art installations that you’ll enjoy. However, if you’re not a modern art lover, you should maybe consider another chateau.
My Thoughts
I wasn’t enamored with this Loire Valley chateau. Yes, it could be because it was my fourth chateau, but I also wasn’t expecting so many art installations. It almost felt like it was an art gallery masquerading as a chateau. Although it must be said that I was not here during the International Garden Festival and I wish I could have seen that.
For more information, visit the chateau’s website.
Chateau Chambord
About the Chateau
Along with Chenonceau, Chateau Chambord is a symbol of this region. It’s the largest of the chateaux of the Loire Valley with 426 rooms, 83 staircases, and nearly 300 fireplaces. That may make it seem overwhelming, but only 60 of those rooms can be visited. Besides the chateau, you can also tour it’s expansive grounds.
Why Should You Visit
Visit Chambord to see the most over-the-top Loire Valley chateau.
My Thoughts
This chateau was high on my list, but because I was utilizing public transportation and was here during the low season, I was not able to visit. One day I’ll make it back to the Loire Valley to see this chateau.
For more information, visit the chateau’s website.
Chateau de Cheverney
About the Chateau
Not too far from Chambord, you’ll find another famous chateau. You’ll find a massive chateau and a lavishly decorated interior. While it doesn’t seem to rank as high as Chambord or Cheverney, it seems like it would be on par with a chateau like Blois.
Why Should You Visit
If you’re already exploring the region for Chambord and you want to add another grand Loire Valley chateau, add this to your list.
My Thoughts
This is another chateau that I did not make it to. The next time I’m in the Loire Valley, it’ll definitely be on my list.
For more information, visit the chateau’s website.
Chateau de Villandry
About the Chateau
Villandry does have a chateau, but a visit here isn’t about the actual building (although it can still be toured). The highlight of this chateau are its gardens, which some people call the best gardens in France.
Why Should You Visit
If you’re a gardener, this should be at the top of your list since these are referred to as the best gardens in France.
My Thoughts
One day I’ll get here, but the public transportation schedules didn’t quite work on my recent visit.
For more information, visit the chateau’s website.
Other Chateaux to Consider
While the above chateaux are likely going to be more popular, there’s still plenty of other Loire Valley chateaux you can visit. Chinon, Azay-le-Rideau, Langeais, Usse, and Bouregard are all other options to consider.
How Many Chateaux Can You See in One Day
The amount of chateaux you can visit really depends on how you’re traveling. If you are traveling by public transportation through the Loire Valley, you’ll only be able to see two chateaux per day. If you are traveling by rental car, you may be able to visit up to four per day (but it will be a very, very busy day).
In general, I think two Loire Valley chateaux per day is a good estimate. You can see a chateau in the morning, take a break for a nice lunch, and tour another chateau in the afternoon. This pace allows you to see chateaux without rushing. Plus in places like Amboise and Blois, you’ll want to take time to wander the town as well.
Budgeting for Chateaux of the Loire Valley
Along with avoiding chateaux burnout (more on that later), it’s also important to not break the bank while touring chateaux of the Loire Valley. As a rough estimate, set aside 15 euro per chateau. Some chateaux will have higher entrance fees, but on average, I found 15 euros to be a good estimate.
How Long Do You Need in the Loire Valley?
At absolute minimum, you need one full day here, but I think two or three days is perfect. With two days in the Loire Valley, you can visit four chateaux (potentially more if you have your own vehicle). With three days, you can go at a more leisurely pace or even visit some lesser known chateaux.
Can You Visit the Loire Valley from Paris?
Technically, you could visit the Loire Valley as a day trip from Paris, but I don’t recommend it. Even on the high speed trains, you just won’t get a lot of time to tour the chateaux. You’ll be able to explore one chateaux, maybe two if you take a very early train out of Paris and a late train to return to Paris.
In my opinion, I’d recommend skipping a day trip from Paris and spending a night or two in the Loire Valley.
How to Avoid Chateaux Burnout
While it can be tempting to try to see as many chateaux of the Loire Valley as possible, try to find some variety in your chateaux. If you were to visit every chateaux on this list, odds are good you’ll be bored by the end and suffering from chateaux overload.
When to Visit the Loire Valley
I recommend spring and fall to tour the chateaux of the Loire Valley. In winter, you’ll have fewer crowds, but many chateaux operate on limited hours. In summer, it’s peak season so expect high prices and large tourist crowds. Spring and fall are happy mediums.
If you are traveling by public transportation, you’ll want to may even closer attention to when you travel. In spring, summer, and fall, shuttles operate to help connect some of the chateaux that don’t have train stations (Chambord, Cheverny, Bouregard). I visited in mid-March and these shuttles were not operating, so I had to skip Chambord and Cheverny.
Where Should You Stay
Like almost every other question, it depends on your mode of transport. If you have your own car, you are free to stay anywhere in the Loire Valley. The chateaux listed in this article can all be found within an hour drive of Tours (but don’t stay here if you have a car—you don’t want to drive in Tours). Amboise is another popular base. However, you will find hotels near most chateaux.
If you are traveling by public transportation, you’ll want to make a base in Tours, Amboise, or Blois. Try to figure out your chateaux schedule before making a base. I stayed in Tours, because I was traveling by public transportation and I found the hotels to be slightly cheaper here than in Amboise.
Continue Your Adventure
Loire Valley: For travelers wanting to explore the Loire Valley without a car, I created an entire guide with all of the information you need for a car-free Loire Valley adventure.
Paris: Whether you have a layover, two days, or five days, there’s so much to see in France’s capital.
France Trains: If you’re traveling the Loire Valley without a car, you’ll likely be using trains. Here’s everything you need to know about trains in France.
France Travel Guide: For everything you need to know about planning your trip to France, check out my France Travel Guide.