LIST | Loire Valley Chateaux to Know
WHAT TO EXPECT
🐴 Saddle up to play cowboy on the open range! Let a wrangler guide you through the scenery on horseback; some ranches offer cattle drives, overnights, or fly-fishing combos.
🎣 Master the art of being a master outdoorsman. Wade into the river to try your hand at fly-fishing or head to the range to test your trap and skeet skills.
🏕️ Soak in the scenery with a next-level glamping experience. You can feel one with nature and your spouse without actually roughing it; ranches offer elaborate glamping cabins often complete with champagne and outdoor soaking tubs.
🎿 Don't write off the winter activities. Some ranches offer the opportunity to explore the mountains after they've been blanketed in snow. Get out and hit the slopes or try Nordic skiing or snowshoeing.
TOP TIPS
⏳ Don’t plan to do more than two chateaux in a day. Many guides recommend a schedule that I see as not only unenjoyable but impossible. It takes a while just to walk through each chateau but the whole point is to learn and enjoy. Time to drive and eat also adds up.
🍽️ Many of the larger chateaux have food onsite or in their village. We had great luck with these places which is not always typical of food near tourists sites. However, be prepared for service to move at a leisurely place for a 3-course meal that is so typical in France and build in the necessary 1.5-2h into your schedule.
🌤️ While the chateau have lots to see inside, make sure to also explore the grounds and gardens. Bring sunscreen, a hat, good walking shoes etc. to enjoy the outdoors.
🎒 Avoid bringing large bags, selfie sticks, and other forbidden items to avoid being turned away by security.
LES CHÂTEAUX
NEAR BLOIS
Château de Chambord
⏳Full Day
💡Tip: Buy the Chambord Passport ticket. It includes a histopad and tickets to the Horse & Bird of Prey show - both great!
Royal Château of Blois
⏳ Few hours
Château de Cheverny
⏳ Few hours
Château de Beauregard
⏳ Few hours
NEAR AMBOISE
Château de Chenonceau
⏳ Half to Full Day
💡 Tip: Visit the South Bank to see the castle from a different perspective before the drawbridge closes. Take a walk through the historic farm and gardens.
Château du Clos Lucé
⏳ Half to Full Day
💡 Tip: Check out the L’Auberge du Prieuré Restaurant, which serves historically inspired dishes by servers in period clothing. Be warned it’s a full sit down meal not just grab and go, so it will take some time. There are also two other more mainstream restaurants on site.
Château Royal d’Amboise
⏳ Few Hours
Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire
⏳ Few Hours
NEAR TOURS
Château de Villandry
⏳Few Hours
💡Tip: While the gardens are the star here, also do the chateau. It doesn’t take all that long and it gives great views of the gardens from the windows and the keep. Plus it’s still a beautiful home with beautiful art.
Château d’Ussé
⏳ Few Hours
💡 Tip: If you have kids interested in the Sleeping Beauty scenes, make sure they are really capable of climbing many uneven stairs, otherwise there may be major disappointment! The ramparts and attic space where this is located has some treacherous spots.
Château de Langeais
⏳ Few Hours
Château d’Azay-le-Rideau
⏳ Few Hours
NEAR SAUMUR & ANGERS
Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud
** Technically not a chateau, but still a very architecturally focused sight **
⏳ Few Hours
Chateau d’Angers
⏳ Few Hours
Chateau de Montreuil-Bellay
⏳ Few Hours
École Nationale d’Equitation - Le Cadre Noir
** Also not a chateau, but sort of a castle for horses and a lesser known gem that I felt worthy of including **
KEEP EXPLORING
Want to read about how we planned a trip combining Teton, Yellowstone, and the Ranch at Rock Creek? Check out this itinerary!
And these complete Destination Guides for the parks:
If you are headed to Dunton Hot Springs, you might also be interested in my complete Telluride Destination Guide!
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