Loire Castles Self-Guided Tour by Car: Detailed Route Loire Valley castles in October How to get from Paris to the Loire castles

The Loire River from the Sancerre Hills to Angers flows past an endless line ofluxurious mansions, palaces and castles. Guided tour of the castles of Lauracomparable to a fascinating journey through different eras of French history. Châteaude Loches and d "Angers give a glimpse of the 9th century fortifications. The graceful Château deChenonceau was created in the XIII century. The Cheverny Manor was built in the 15th-16th centuries. Eachthe castle is unique and worthy of a traveler's attention. Our private tour of the Loire Castles.

The most famous castles of the Loire

There are more than 300 castles on the Loire, more than 70 open to the public.which of them to go and what to see is difficult for a simple tourist. And even hardermake the correct route. If you are planning a trip to the Loire Castles firsttimes, then we have prepared a short list of the most popular and certainly the mostbeautiful castles of the Loire Valley. You can take a trip both independently and as part of an excursion group from Paris.

Chambord castle

Chenonceau castle

Cheverny Castle

The fate of the castle of Cheverny (château de Cheverny) turned out to be happy: wars and civil strife, due to which the building has been preserved almost in its original form.The descendants of its founder, Royal Chancellor Philippe Huro, still occupythe upper floors, and the lower ones were kindly transferred to the disposal of curious tourists.Cheverny is surrounded by a picturesque English-style park. Alternative to walkingalong the green alleys is a boat ride on the canal. Localthe kennel is also considered an attraction, where a hundred purebredhounds dogs.

Blois Castle

How to plan a self-guided tour of the Loire Castles?

Tourists go to the Loire Valley from Paris by train, car or sightseeing bus. From Austerlitz Station, trains run daily to Blois and Tours.The cost of a train ticket to Blois in a 2nd class carriage is about € 30, the journey time is almost 2 hours. Fromhigh-speed TGVs depart from Montparnasse station, which will take you to Tours for aboutin an hour. In Tours, you can rent a car or get local transport to the castlesyourself.

The easiest way, of course, is to travel around the castles by car. For the first time we we advise you the following route (it can be overcome even by car even forpublic transport):

First day

Arrive in Blois in the morning. You inspect the castle, and go to Chambord. There you can go to the castle, take a walk in the park and watch an equestrian show.In the evening you return to Blois, where you will spend the night. (hotels in Blois can be viewedhere).

The next day go to Amboise, walk around the castle of Amboise and go to visit Leonardo da Vinci, and after lunch you go to Chenonceau.Evening m return to Amboise, where you spend the night. (Find hotels in Amboise here)

The approximate budget for your trip will be as follows:

• Visiting the castles: 1 ticket for an adult costs approximately 10-12 euros.
• By train: Paris - Blois - 30 euros
• Blois - Amboise - about 7 euros
• Amboise - Paris - about 35 euros.
• Plus the cost of buses from Blois to Chambord and from Amboise to Chenonceau.
• If you rent a car, then 2 days will cost you 60-100 euros + gasoline.
• Lunch - on average - 15 euros, dinner - 20 euros per person.
• The average cost of a hotel in Blois and Amboise is 50-70 euros per room per day.

Guided tours of the Loire Castles from Paris

If you do not feel confident about traveling on your own, it is better to take a group excursion. It will also be cheaper.

Moreover, we cannot guarantee that in 2 days you will have time to see 4-5 castles, but tour guides can. But on the other hand, you are relatively losing "freedom"independent travel to castles. So, it's up to you, of course.Excursion groups, as a rule, leave from Paris on comfortable buses.The stories of the guide and the scenery outside the window entertain tourists, so the road seems to be short. INthe route includes visits to 3-4 castles, entrance tickets, lunch at a restaurant canincluded in the tour price. Given the good wine-making "glory of the Loire Valley,some guides complement the trip with a visit to the winery with tasting. In every castletourists have free time to buy souvenirs, take photos andtake a walk.

You can book a place for a bus tour from Paris to the Loire castles.

Have a nice trip!

A trip to the castles of the Loire Valley in October is a chance to see the "remains of luxury" winemaking and all the best castles and ancient fortresses of this region of France.

Loire Valley Rates and Options

• WHEN -
• VISA TO FRANCE - with delivery
• HOW TO GET THERE - To get to the Loire Valley from our countries, you can take international flights to Paris and from there by bus, high-speed train, or a rented car, get or walk to Orleans, then to Saumur, Blois, Tours, Angers.
• FLIGHTS TO PARIS -
• TRANSFER - from the airport
• TRANSPORTATION - In the towns of the Loire Valley, public transport is poorly developed, so it is much more convenient to travel with a rented car. You can get to the local ancient castles by sightseeing buses.
• BUSES FRANCE - tickets
• TRAVELERS -
• INSURANCE FOR FRANCE -
• WHERE TO VISIT - Orleans, Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Château de Chambord, Château de Saumur, Blois, Museum of Magic, Château de Chaumont, marshes of Soloni, the city of Tours, Place Plumero, Museum of the Vine Loire, Château Chenonceau, Château de Villandry, Chinon, Angers, Nantes, Place Gralein , Cathedral of Peter and Paul.
• RENT IN PARIS - bike, bike, scooter.
• WEATHER - The Loire Valley has always had a mild climate, and even in October the average temperature there is + 17 ° С, but it often rains.
• EXCURSIONS - in, across France.
• ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD - you can always choose a luxury hotel complex in, or, many elite hotels will offer guests those rooms from where impressive views of the castles or the Loire will open. Local restaurants have game, truffles, dishes with mushrooms growing in local forests on the menu.
• GUIDES -
• DURATION - 6 days

Royal gardens and castles of the Loire

Visit medieval Orleans, closely associated with the tragic story of Jeanne d'Arcs, be sure to visit the ancient and vibrant Cathedral of the Holy Cross, the Museum of Fine Arts, and then go to the Chambord castle.

Day 2 - Blois, Museum of Magic, Chaumont Castle, Soloni Marshes

In the morning, go straight to Blois, ride like a king in a carriage and be sure to feel like aristocrats. You can visit the strangely unusual Museum of Magic, explore the ancient interiors of the Chaumont castle, or go to the marshes of Soloni, where French kings often hunted.

Day 3 -City Tour, Place Plumero, Vines Loire Museum, Chenonceau Castle, Villandry Castle

Visit the medieval town of Tours, explore the architectural ensemble of Piazza Plumereau, run into the Wine Museum, then marvel at the opulent yet accessible castles of Chenonceau and Villandry.

Day 4 - Saumur castle, Chinon

Take a voyage to Saumur Castle, an ancient cave camp, plus vineyards around Chinon.

Day 5 - Angers

For a walk around Angers, you need to allocate a separate day out of six, to get acquainted with the ancient fortress rebuilt in the XIII century and the ancient castle, influential dukes. It is worth seeing the interesting tapestry "Apocalypse" presented in the exposition of installations of the castle-museum.

Day 6 - Nantes, Gralene Square, Peter and Paul Cathedral

End your journey in Nantes, home to a masterpiece of Gothic ecclesiastical architecture, the Cathedral of Peter and Paul, and stroll around Place Gralene.

Now that our journey through the castles of the Loire Valley has come to its final point, we can attend to the return home.

Traveling by car can give a lot of pleasant impressions, memories and dozens of memorable photos. True, for this you need to choose a suitable terrain and route. Today our recommendation is the Loire Valley: magnificent landscapes, interesting sights, light French wines, beautiful castles and abbeys, delicious local cuisine. To explore all the beauties, it is best to rent a car. Cars can be rented at Paris airport or upon arrival. Immediately, we note that it is better to allocate 6-7 days to explore all the attractions of the Loire Valley and enjoy them in full. Today we will tell you how interesting it is to spend the weekend and see the maximum in a couple of days.

We suggest starting your route from Blois (180 kilometers from the French capital). We recommend this particular starting point, since the castle is the largest and most interesting (architectural structures from different eras are presented here). The entrance (paid) to the king's chambers is also open for tourists.

Twenty minutes from Blois is another famous Chambord castle (located in a park of 5 hectares). This castle complex will easily compete with Versailles in its beauty and grandeur. In addition, it was partially designed according to the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci himself. You can visit the castle in winter from 9.00 to 17.00, in summer - until 18.00. The ticket price for an adult is 14.5 euros, admission is free for children.

We recommend starting the second day of your road trip along the Loire with Chaumont. Here I would especially like to note not only the architecture of the castle (combined Gothic and Renaissance), but also a beautiful garden in the vicinity. The tourist does not even need to inspect the castle itself inside, it will be interesting outside too. The views from Chaumont are wonderful.

After that, you can go to Amboise, which previously belonged to King Francis I. After sightseeing, we advise you to look into one of the cafes and order a cup of coffee and a croissant. If you wish, you can buy a ticket to the chapel of the castle - a ticket of 11 euros.

Another castle worth seeing, Clos Luce, is the last resting place of Leonardo da Vinci.

Approximately 13 kilometers from Amboise is the "Castle of Dam". Interesting architecture and a beautiful park will delight the eye.
The third day of the trip is worth starting from the Renaissance castle of Villandry. It is popular with tourists from everywhere. It is interesting primarily because a unique park has been created here.

The next point on the map of the journey through the Loire Valley is the fairytale castle of Yousse (also known as the Castle of the Sleeping Beauty). It is said that it was here that Charles Perrault was inspired to write one of the most famous children's fairy tales. Either way, Yousse is really impressive. In addition, it can be viewed not only from the outside, but also from the inside.

Reading time: 8 minutes.

The Loire Valley in France is popular for its wineries, picturesque natural landscapes and castles. The region is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is the most important tourist region of the country.

Here are located such historical sites as the Château de Chambord, Château Clos-Luce, Chenonceau, Amboise and other popular attractions.

View of the Loire Valley and one of the most photographed Château de Chenonceau castles from above.

History and overview of the Loire castles

For a long time, the valley of the Loire River served as a place where French monarchs and nobles built their country residences. In total, about 60 castles have survived in the region.

Some of them have survived to this day in their original form. Some have undergone significant reconstruction and alteration, while others have been abandoned and preserved in the form of ruins. Massive Angers castle, romantic Chenonceau, graceful Valance castle can be seen by going on a guided tour of the Loire Valley region.

The most popular chateau are museums in our time. Anyone can visit them. Some castles have become private property, access to them is limited.

Chambord castle

Chambord is the largest chateau in the Loire Valley. It was built for King Francis I in the middle of the 16th century. The castle was used by the monarch as a hunting and for out-of-town receptions of vassals and foreign ambassadors. The territory is surrounded by a forest, which previously was home to a lot of game.

The architectural appearance of Chambord combines elements of medieval architecture and motifs characteristic of the Renaissance. It is believed that Leonardo da Vinci took part in the development of the project.

The central place is occupied by a massive donjon and two additional wings adjacent to it.

The castle staircase is a complex and original architectural creation. It is made in the form of a double helix, twisting in one direction without a single intersection.

In the left wing there is a chapel, in the right - the king's chambers. The interior has not survived. It will take 2-3 hours to inspect the castle. A staircase leads to the roof, which offers impressive views of the surrounding forests and the river.

Chambord is one of the most famous castles in France and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The entrance ticket costs 14.5 euros. It is convenient to get there by car or bus from Blois.

The name of the architect who created this project has not reached us,
but the analysis of frame structures reveals a huge influence of Leonardo da Vinci

Chateau de Chenonceau

Chenonceau is the most beautiful and popular building in the Loire Valley. The chateau is located near the village of the same name, 30 km from Tours. The attraction received the unofficial name "ladies' castle", as women took an active part in its construction and improvement.

The main construction work was carried out from 1513 to 1521. The castle was originally owned by the Boye family, whose head served as a quartermaster for finance in Normandy. The work was supervised by his wife, Ekaterina Boye.

After a while, the chateau was confiscated from the family by King Francis I. Under Henry II, Chenonceau was presented by the monarch to his favorite Diana de Poitiers.

By order of Diana, a garden and a vegetable garden were laid out, where numerous plants began to be cultivated. A bridge was erected across the Cher river, adjacent to the castle.

After the death of the king, the chateau passed into the possession of Catherine de Medici, who took part in decorating the inner chambers, and also ordered to break up a park with a labyrinth, build a fountain and a gallery on the bridge.

Nowadays, the object is the family property of the Meunier family and is open to the public. The cost of an all-inclusive ticket, which includes a tour of the interior of the chateau, gallery and gardens, is 14.5 euros. There is a Russian audio guide.

A distinctive feature of the Château de Chenonceau is the elegant arches that frame the Cher River

Aze-Le-Rideau

Chateau Azay-le-Rideau is located in the bend of the small Indre River, which flows into the Loire. From the city of Tours it is separated by 20 km. The castle got its name from the owner of the surrounding lands, Rideau de Azeil, famous for his ferocious disposition and popularly nicknamed the child of the devil.

The fortress was founded in the XII century, but in 1418, as a result of the conflict between the owner and the king, all the fortifications were destroyed.

In 1510, a new fort was erected, which has survived to this day under the name Aze-Le-Rideau.

In 1825, the chateau fell into the hands of Charles Biencourt, who carried out reconstruction, erected a tower in the neo-Renaissance style, redesigned the interior.

In 1840 Aze-Le-Rideau received the status of a historical monument.

Since 1905, the chateau has been transferred to state ownership.

Now there is a museum on the territory of the castle. The ticket price is 8 euros. Getting to Aze-le-Rideau is convenient by car from Tours.

At one time, the famous writer Honore de Balzac, who was in the Azay-Le-Rideau castle, called the castle "a diamond set in the frame of the Indre River"

Castle Amboise

The chateau was originally erected to control a ford on the Loire River. For over 400 years, it belonged to the Ambuz family. The building got its modern look in 1492. Italian architects D. da Cortona and Fra Giocondo worked on the project. They were the first architects to introduce the Renaissance style to France.

Amboise is the birthplace of King Francis I of France, who liked the place more than the royal residence in Blois. The chateau has three floors and is surrounded by massive stone towers.

In the chapel of St. Hubert at Chateau Amboise is buried Leonardo da Vinci, who spent his last years in France.

In addition to the car, the castle can be easily reached by direct train from Paris. You need to get to the Amboise railway station, then walk. Chateau opening hours vary by season. The ticket costs 12.8 euros.

The French Revolution did not spare the castle, so today we can only see one tenth of its original size

Chateau de Blois

The castle is located in the historical part of the city of the same name, on the right bank of the Loire. The main part of the complex was built in the 15th century as the residence of the powerful family of the Dukes of Orleans.

In 1498, a member of the family becomes King of France under the name of Louis XII and chooses his ancestral residence in Blois for residence.

Blois Castle has witnessed tragic events. Here Maria Medici died, a little earlier there was the murder of Heinrich of Giza by the royal guards. The Gizov family was at odds with King Henry II for a long time. The monarch lured opponents by deception, guaranteeing their safety, but treacherously broke his promise and ordered to kill the rival.

The construction of the chateau took a long time. Part of the castle is made in late Gothic style, and some buildings have features of the Italian Renaissance.

During the summer, light and music performances are held in the courtyard. Images are projected on the walls, telling about the history of the castle and its owners. The changing pictures are accompanied by music and the narrator's text, which is broadcast through the speaker system. A visit to the chateau costs 12 euros, there is a Russian audio guide.

Blois was built in different styles - Gothic, Classical, Renaissance, Baroque

Sully-sur-Loire

Chateau Sully-sur-Loire is a UNESCO heritage site. It is a fine example of French architecture of the XIV-XV centuries.

The history of the fortification at the site of the crossing of the Loire dates back to the 12th century. At this time, the first fortress belonging to the Sully family was built.

In 1395, the rights to the land passed to the Tremoil family. The new owners actively began the reconstruction of the chateau. The dungeon was erected in the Gothic style, the Small Castle with two towers. A major reconstruction was carried out in the middle of the 17th century: walls were strengthened, a landscape park was laid out.

Sully-sur-Loire has been a haven for famous historical figures more than once. At the time of the Fronde, Louis XIV, Queen Anne of Austria, Cardinal Mazarin hid here. At the beginning of the XVIII century. the poet and freethinker Francois Voltaire found refuge here, for whom a theater hall was equipped.

The interiors of the palace are well preserved. Visitors can see antique furniture, tapestries, dishes and decorations in the rooms of the castle. On the territory of the park, laid out under the walls of the chateau, festivals and theatrical performances are held.

The Château Sully-sur-Loire, with its powerful towers and walls, surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Loire, is an unforgettable sight.

The castle receives visitors all year round. The ticket price is 8 euros. It is convenient to get there by car. From Orleans and Gienes, you can get to the castle by bus.

The castle, surrounded by a moat, consists of a tower and a small castle, is an excellent example of medieval architecture

Brissac palace

The tallest castle in France is located 30 km from the city of Montpellier. The chateau towers are 52 meters high. Its appearance is strongly influenced by the Italian Renaissance. The walls and roofs are decorated with pilasters and niches for statues. The building has been repeatedly rebuilt by various architects throughout its history.

The first fortification on the site of the palace was built in the 15th century. In 1434, the fort passed into the hands of Pierre de Brese, who improved the fortifications. Two towers in the Gothic style have survived from this era.

In 1462, in a fit of jealousy, de Brese kills his wife, which caused the legend of the ghost of a beautiful lady in a green dress with traces of sword strikes. The chateau passes into the hands of Rene de Cosset, the king's treasurer. For his services to the throne, Rene was awarded the title of Duke de Brissac. For many centuries this family has remained the owners of the chateau.

The attraction is located in the town of Brissac-Kens. Château Brissac is open from April to October. You can get inside the castle as part of an organized group of tourists. The tour costs 10 euros. The rooms of the palace are decorated with tapestries, carved wood ceilings, paintings and sculptures.

Wealthy tourists can spend the night in the castle - in the room
King Louis XIII

Clos-Lusset

The small Chateau Clos-Luce became famous as the last resting place of Leonardo da Vinci, who spent the last three years of his life here. Here the great artist finished his Mona Lisa.

Clos-Luce is located in the historic center of Amboise, just 400 meters from Chateau Amboise. According to legend, King Francis I, the patron saint of the scientist, often visited Leonardo da Vinci, who spent the last years of his life in Clos Lusse.

Visitors can see Leonardo's personal belongings, an exhibition of techniques created from drawings and sketches of a painter and scientist. Here are models of a helicopter, a tank, and a drawbridge.

The chateau is surrounded by a cozy park where you can see with your own eyes the working prototypes of Leonardo's inventions, including a two-story bridge, an aircraft, a multi-barreled gun, and a prototype of a machine gun. On the territory of the castle there is a chapel, the walls of which were painted by the students of the great Italian.

Chateau Clos-Luce is now privately owned and owned by the Saint Brie family. The ticket price is 16 euros. To get from Paris to Clos-Luce, first take the train to the Amboise train station, then change to a bus heading to the castle.

Currently, the castle houses the Leonardo da Vinci house-museum.
The castle is surrounded by a park called Leonardo's Garden.

Yuse Castle

Chateau Yousset is located at the edge of the vast Chinon forest. In the 15th century, the fortress was in the possession of Jeanne Buet, daughter of King Charles VII of France and his favorite Agnes Sorel.

In 1485 the chateau passed into the hands of the Espiné family. A large-scale reconstruction is being carried out, including the construction of a chambers for the king, a pavilion overlooking the garden. Part of the building, covering the view of the river valley, was dismantled.

After changing a few more owners, Château Yusset passed to the Blac family, who still own the castle to this day. The castle, built of white sandstone, is a recognized masterpiece of architecture. It is considered the prototype of the Sleeping Beauty Castle, described by C. Perrault in his famous tale.

Visitors to the castle can see carved wooden furniture from the 16th century, a collection of edged weapons, tapestries made by Italian craftsmen. Several years ago, the owners of the chateau recreated scenes from Perrault's fairy tale. In some rooms, wax figures of the Sleeping Beauty characters are displayed, dressed in recognizable costumes.

Yousse is surrounded by a regular French-style park with flower beds, alleys and fountains. The most convenient way to get to the chateau is by car. The ticket price is 14 euros.

The white towers of the castle, towering over the dense forest, attracted C. Perrault with their fabulous view, so he described him in the fairy tale "Sleeping Beauty"

Guided tours of the Loire Valley castles

Many castles are located at great distances from each other, so visiting them yourself is not easy.

A convenient way to combine sightseeing and hear a guide's fascinating story about their history is to join an organized tour.

Finding tours of the Loire castles is not difficult. There are many options for visiting attractions. You can find excursions for one or more days. It is possible to order an individual tour by car, accompanied by a Russian-speaking guide. The cost starts from 300 euros.

A more budget-friendly option is an organized bus tour. In this case, you can find options from 60 euros. At the peak of the tourist season, it is better to book a trip in advance, since there are often no vacancies immediately before departure. The tour includes visiting several chateau in one day.

There are many options, so you can choose the most interesting offers for yourself. It is better to book group excursions in advance in Paris. Finding a Russian-speaking guide on site is more difficult.

How to get to the Loire from Paris

The most comfortable way to see the castles of the Loire Valley is to rent a car and create your own schedule of visits to the sites.

The car will enable the traveler not to depend on the public transport schedule and personally decide how much time to spend on seeing a particular attraction.

In addition, some castles can only be reached by car. The car can be rented at Paris airport. The road from Paris to Tours takes about 5 hours, Blois can be reached in 4 hours.

If you plan to get to the place by public transport, it is most convenient to take a train or bus to the cities of Tours or Blois. The trip will take about 2 hours. It is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance. The cost of a ticket from Paris to Tours is 15-20 euros.

Where to stay

It is best to spend a few days in the region to see the castles. Numerous options are available for tourists: hotels, hostels and even medieval chateau.

In nearby cities

To explore the castles, it is convenient to stay at a hotel in Blois or Tours. The cost of hotels is low, prices start from 50 euros. Both cities are interesting in their own right. There are many medieval buildings and temples preserved here.

The hotel fund of Blois offers tourists a wide range of accommodation options. These hotels are highly rated and many positive reviews from travelers:

• Chez Alicia;
• Le Plessis;
• Hotel Anne De Bretagne;
• La Perluette;
• La Tour Beauvoir.

From Blois, it is convenient to visit Chateau Chambord and Cheverny Castle. A shuttle bus runs daily between the city and the attractions. A full-day ticket between the castles and Blois can be bought from the driver.

It is not difficult to find inexpensive and quality accommodation in Tours. The following hotels have high marks:

• Citôtel Criden;
• Hôtel Saint Jean;
• Castel Fleuri;
• Campanile Tours Nord;
• Oceania L "Univers Tours.

These hotels are located in the central part of the city. Tours are easily reachable by train to one of the most beautiful castles of the Loire Valley, Chenonceau. Between Tours and Blois, local trains are convenient.

Castle rent

Everyone can experience all the delights of life in the castle. Quite a few chateau offer tourists to stay within their walls. A week in the castle starts from 1000 euros.

Wealthy citizens often resort to this opportunity for wedding ceremonies or celebrating important dates. Impressions will remain in your memory for a long time.

Some chateau provide an opportunity for tourists to live in the castle as in a classic hotel. The cost of one night starts at € 100, depending on the season.

Wealthy people rent castles for weddings

To leave pleasant memories from a trip to the castles it is recommended to pay attention to the tips of experienced travelers:

• you should decide in advance the issue of travel (buy train tickets, book a car);
• you should not try to visit all possible castles, it is better to focus on the most interesting objects;
• it is better to purchase entrance tickets via the Internet, so you can avoid queues during the peak season;
• some objects are privately owned, access inside may be limited;
• in places where possible, it is recommended to take an audio guide - a tour with it will be more informative and interesting.

Friends, health to all!

I don’t know what you would have done, but I wasn’t going to be left without the locks of the Loire Valley. Driving around Normandy and not stopping for a couple of nights in this flourishing region and former royal abode is an unforgivable oversight.

In such cases, I do not allow others to plan my visit.

Of course, we will find the Loire castles on the map of France, discuss the traditional ways of reaching them from Paris, and stop at two towns in the valley and.

Go for it!

A tricky question. The Loire Castles Association has 79 magnificent buildings, and these are just those that are included in the association. Old-timers say that there are about 300 castles and they are spread all over from Orleans to Nantes.

Examine them all, of course, life is not enough. Therefore, you need to prioritize. What are the criteria:

1. By cost ... Why not a criterion for independent travel? For example, Losh or Chinon charge 10.50 / 8.50 € for entrance. The same Chamon fights 18/14 € and also pay 4 € for an audio guide. The difference per family is almost 2 times.
2. By availability ... Whatever one may say, but you will have some kind of route and plans for the night. Based on this, it is already possible to filter out uncomfortable and distant locks and focus on the immediate surroundings.
3. Recommendations ... Having no more worthy facts than the reviews of tourists, believe them and choose the ones that everyone recommends.
4. Taste. Some castles were built as fortresses, like Amboise, Chinon, Blois, and others for show-offs and parties: Chenonceau, Cheverny, Yousset. The assignment of a castle will set both the requirements for the appearance and the location.
5. By season... Many castles are closed during the winter or work on a reduced schedule. Those that focus on their gardens will be deserted and featureless in winter.
6. Royal castles... Passion, intrigue, history of novels. 5 must see castles in this case: Amboise, Chambord, Blois, Chaumont-sur-Loire and Loches.

For a list of all castles and their official pages with timetables, locations and prices, see the official site of the valley castles.

Where are the famous castles

Castles are scattered along the river Loire and its neighbor Cher between the towns of Orleans and Nantes. The highest concentration is achieved between cities Saumur, Tours, Amboise and Blois ... Here there is already where to roam and 90% of the castles are located right here.

So, if you prefer to do radial races from a permanent den, then choose the city of Tour.

And if you prefer to move towards the goal, changing your location, then stop in the same Tour, or visit the castles located around these cities. The distance between Tours and Blois is about 60 km.

Your options and choice of castles will depend on how you travel through the valley. Freedom is given by a rented car or at least a bicycle. Distances of 10 km will not be a problem.

If you come on your own from Paris and plan to travel around the region by buses and trains, then, again, it is most convenient to do this from Tours and Blois.

Here is a map of the main castles in the Loire Valley for your reference.

Top 10 castles and what to look for first

This is not my selection, but an extract from Internet publications. I also used it, without having my own experience at that time.

Let's see what not to be missed. We will move from west to east. We did this because we got to the region from Normandy, after visiting.

If you are coming from Paris, then just turn the entire list upside down:

1. Usse – chateaudusse.fr
2. Azay-le-Rideau – azay-le-rideau.fr
3. Villandry – chateauvillandry.fr
4. Ambois – chateau-amboise.com
5. Clos-Luce – vinci-closluce.com
6. Chaumont-sur-Loire – domaine-chaumont.fr
7. Chenonceaux – chenonceau.com
8. Blois – chateaudeblois.fr
9. Cheverny – chateau-cheverny.fr
10. Chambord – chambord.org

Filter this list depending on your capabilities, free time and interests and go ahead for tickets.

This is mainstream must see and we will all be there.

If you still do not want to be like everyone else and shoulder to shoulder with all tourist groups, then here my top 5 locks which I want to visit next time:

1. Loches – citeroyaleloches.com
2. Chinon – forteressechinon.fr
3. Sully-sur-Loire – chateausully.fr
4. Saumur – ville-saumur.fr
5. Montbazon – forteressedemontbazon.com

How many days does it take to visit the castles

Friends, here it would be to connect the standard principle "the more the better", but it can turn out, as in the legendary cartoon "Golden Antelope".

When the greedy raja provoked a monetary rain with shouts again and again, after which he ended his life under a pile of tiles.

Optimally, I would take 2-3 days to visit the valley. Anyway, after 5-6 locks, the bar of perception will drop and visits will cease to bring their former joy.

How much does it cost to visit the castles

The pricing policy here differs almost 2 times. There are some castles that are allowed into their territory free of charge, and there are those that charge for visiting the castle, gardens and exhibitions as for separate tickets.

The most expensive castles, including Clos-Luce, Chenonceau and Chamon, will cost you 15-20 € per person. In Blois we took a combined day and evening ticket for 20 euros per person.

Other castles such as Chinon, Loches and Amboise have a lower bar and a ticket will cost you 10-12 €.

In any case, for a family you need to pledge about 100 € per day for 2-3 castles per day.

Our route through the Loire Valley

We were here in a rented car passing from Saint-Michel to Paris. Airbnb helped find 2 lovely apartments in Amboise and Blois. Based on my list of castles to visit, this was what I needed:

1. From Amboise we visited and where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last years of life
2. On the way to Blois, we rushed to and then to himself, and also got to the evening light and sound performance here.
3. The cities themselves deserve time to visit. But, if you choose one thing, then definitely Blois. We liked him very much!

Initially, instead of Chenonceau, we planned to visit Chambord. And he looks more "manly" and the stairs from Leonardo da Vinci and 400 rooms, who will miss this?

But in May 2019, reconstruction was carried out there, and I know what it is from. I had to postpone the visit for the next time.

How to get to the Loire Valley

The easiest way is on your car. If your team has more than 2 people and you are going here for a few days, then the car is what you need.

Parking here is not expensive, and most castles are generally free. And your efficiency and variety in the choice of castles and apartments grows exponentially.

If you don't want to get involved with a car, then come to Blois or Tour by train and conquer the surroundings by bus, train and even bicycle.

Loire castles for the 1st time - master class

And now the promised lesson for frugal beginners who don't have the desire or time to bother with searching and planning. Now we will analyze the economy option on our fingers " Blois and 5 castles in 3 days ».

This tour had to be patented and bread was taken from travel agencies that carry poor tourists at a price of 150 euros per day. But they feed!

So, a step-by-step plan for an economy trip from Paris (website bloischambord.co.uk to help you):

1. Come from Paris to Blois by train ( 2 hours drive depending on the train) and rent accommodation here. The choice is large, the prices are among the most loyal in the valley.
2. Blois is on its own and has a lot to do. On the 1st day you see it with an evening show.
3. On the 2nd day by bus, which departs from the railway. station by this timetable, go to the castles of Cheverny and Chambord.
4. On the 3rd day, ride a local train in 18 minutes

   Here is such a mini-trip out of the blue, without injuries to the head and looking for answers to the question of which castles of the Loire Valley to visit for the first time.

   After all, the answer is already known: Blois, Cheverny, Chambord, Amboise and Clos-Luce. Why? Because it is the easiest and cheapest way!

   What's the money?

   50 € for accommodation per day, 75 € for an adult to visit all the castles and 50 € for transport. With food, decide for yourself. 3 day trip for two without food will cost 400 € instead of 300 € for 1 day on a bus tour.

   Good to know

   In the end, I would like to give a couple of tips on visiting castles:

   1. - if Leonardo da Vinci is not close to you and your heart is not beating and you have already visited an exhibition of his cars somewhere, then replace this lock with some other one. A bit pricey. Although, if you have children with you, they will like the park of inventions in good weather.
   2. Chenonceau castle - Another popular not cheap option, but shocking and with many gardens and parks. The impression is spoiled by very large crowds of tourists in the halls - no intimacy. Here you need to decide something with an early check-in.
   3. And here royal castles of Amboise and Blois pretty interesting. The latter especially wins because of the richer exposure inside.