The Favorite Castles of the French Kings

Drive from Paris to Chambord castle across the French countryside.

The Chambord castle is one of the most famous French castle in the Loire Valley. It is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage since 1981. You can do a self guided tour with the little flyer they give you at the entrance. The king of France François the first ordered this castle in 1519. It is very big, there are 440 rooms but you can visit about 80. You will need easily 2 hours to visit the whole castle. But you can also walk around the domain which is huge with 5440 hectares and has animals. It's the biggest closed forest park in Europe and a famous place for hunting.
Open hours: 9:00 – 17:00.

Have lunch at this French restaurant with different good options and view on the castle of Chambord.
Open hours Wednesday – Sunday: 10:00 – 17:30.

The castle of Blois is also one of the most famous French castles in the Loire Valley. It's very interesting for its different architectural styles from different centuries. The construction started in the center of the City of Blois in the Xth century. Here you can discover 4 castles in one and appreciate centuries of French architecture from the XIIIth century to the XVIIth century. The outside staircase of François the 1st is the most impressive structure. The visit of the rooms inside is very well presented and colorful. I suggest that you take the optional audioguide in different languages for more information and very interesting descriptions of the rooms, furniture and art pieces in the museum part.
Open hours 9:00 – 18:30.

The house of magic is a great option that you should consider visit if you are traveling with kids, they will love it. The museum is housed in a bourgeois style house in front of the castle of Blois. It showcases the life and tricks of the magician Robert Houdin.
Open hours 10:00 – 12:30, 14:00 – 18:30 Please note that the house of Magic is only open from April to September and during some French school holidays. Check opening days on their website.

After visiting the main attractions in Blois, I recommend you walk around Blois to visit the city. You can walk around the castle for great viewpoints. Then you can visit the Saint-Nicholas church, which is a very imposing church built in the XIIth and XIIIth centuries. The stained glasses inside are pretty interesting.

Walk along the famous river Loire and across the bridge Jacques Gabriel for great views of Blois and the Loire.

La Trouvaille is a great place to have what the French call "aperitif". You will discover the famous French wines from the Loire Valley. Try some with some cold cuts.
Open hours Monday – Saturday: 12:00 – 14:00, 18:00 – 22:00 Closed on Sundays.

You can have dinner at le Castelet. It is a French restaurant with delicious options in a beautiful XVIth century house. Good wine options. You can enjoy your meal on the outside terrace when the weather is nice.
Open hours 12:00 – 13:30, 19:00 – 21:30 Closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Come back to the Blois castle for the sound and lights show, telling the history of the castle and French history. Only in summer starting in April, check times and days on the website.

Spend the night in a unique place, a house on the water.
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