The Loire Valley Chateaux are definitely a must-add to any France itinerary!
Even if you’re not the biggest history buff and don’t want to spend all your time in Chateaux, the Loire Valley is worth visiting just for the food. Between goat cheeses, delicious white wines, even sweet pralines…There’s something for everyone in the Loire Valley.
Then you add the incredible riverside views, the medieval to renaissance architecture. What’s not to love? Let me give another 10 reasons to visit the Loire Valley.
Not in a particular order, but you can definitely visit all of these Chateaux in one week or less, if you hurry. They’re scattered around the Loire river in a 200 miles journey, so there’s really no excuse not to visit all of them.
1. A Medieval Castle You've Never Heard of
The city of Angers has been long protected, 20,000m2 inside the castle walls, adjoined by 17 high towers.
The 13th century fortress, built by King St Louis’ mother at first, was a medieval royal residence. During the religion wars in the 16th century in France, King Henri III wanted the fortress demolished, but we’re lucky enough that a clever governor decided to transform the turrets into terraces instead, losing 10m in height, adapting them to the modern warfare and preserving the Chateau’s history.
The Duke of Anjou (region with Angers at its capital) also left their mark on the chateau with the invaluable amount of art left inside the keep, such as the Apocalypse Tapestry.
Unique in the world, the Apocalypse Tapestry was inscribed into the Unesco World Memory in 2023. It’s now hosted in a 20th century building, kept at constant temperature for preservation.
The Duke of Anjou, Louis the First, had the tapestry commissionned around 1375, to be able to transport it from chateau to chateau. It is a feat of artistry, measuring 140m wide and 6m high.
2. France's Tallest Chateau
Is there a better brag than to be able to say that you visited the tallest chateau in all of France?!
With 7 stories high, Chateau de Brissac sits at the top of France’s chicest chateaux, yes, even taller than Versailles. Brissac stats are as follows: 48m or 158 ft high, with about 200 rooms, sprawled over 8000m2 or almost or just under 2 acres! Visiting this chateau is probably the same as visiting a medieval town, it even hosts a theatre.
3. Napoleon's most visited Chateau
The Chateau de Valencay is definitely not a medieval chateau, and any history buff, or Napoleon specialist, will tell you a lot about the 19th century history of the Chateau.
Built in the 15th century, the Prince Talleyrand bought this chateau in 1803 to serve as hosting facilities for the not quite yet Emperor of France, Napoleon the 1st. Talleyrand modernised it to the classical taste of the time, changing the turrets into the domes we see today.
But the inside is not the only thing worth a visit, the gardens are remarkable and even keep a Napoleon labyrinth you can get lost in. What else do you really need before adding this chateau to the list?
4. A Chateau Garden You Won't Wan't to Miss
I haven’t discussed when is best to visit the Loire Valley Chateaux, because I believe there’s good weather in any month of the year for that region, but for Villandry, you really need to go in April when tulips are in bloom. Because then, it’s spectacular.
Chateau de Villandry is a masterpiece of restauration thanks to the great work of passionate people who wanted to breathe new life into it. The 16th century plans were used to keep the beautiful features of the building, even to the garden which first hosted new world treasures, like peppers and tomatoes.
It is a wonder to visit and something you shouldn’t miss.
5. The only French Chateau on an Island
This Chateau was described by classical french auteur Balzac, as “a faceted diamond, set in the Indre,” which technically doesn’t make it a Loire Chateau but given its proximity to the Loire river, it’s getting in the list.
Remarkable 16th century architecture aside, the chateau is now also at the crossroad of scientific reconstitution, thanks to a partnership between the Mobilier National and the Centre for National Patrimony of France, to refurbish the chateau.
Already a 140 pieces have been brought back to the chateau thanks to historical documents, while the soft furnishings have been recreated through archives.
6. The Chateau with its International Festival
The Chateau de Chaumont is more than just a beautiful architectural feat, it’s more like a sensory experience.
You might have heard about the garden festival, where the grounds get transformed by international horticultural experts every spring. There’s also a Centre of Arts and Nature to visit, as well as of course, the interior of the chateau which dates from the Renaissance.
The Chateau also has incredible views over the Loire river.
You can get lost in the beautiful wild paths and gardens, designed in the 19th century.
Even the stables deserve a visit there! With beautiful art installations that illuminates the 19th century building with golden flowers.
7. A Drawbrigde like No Other Chateau
This Chateau holds a lot of French history and its reflected in the feat of architecture that is the iconic drawbridge.
A queen and a royal mistress had their appartments in the Chateau, given it the nickname of “Chateau des Dames,” or “Ladies Castle.”
The sumptuous appartments of Catherine de Medici, a queen of France from the 16th century, are open to visitors and so grand, it might just give you a headache.
And of course, don’t miss the gardens around the castle. The drawbridge is even more spectular from afar.
8. The Comic Book Chateau
This Chateau is known in France as Tintin’s chateau, because it was featured in the world-famous comic book, back in the 1950-1960s.
It’s a brilliant example of the classicist style in French architecture. It’s one of the few chateaux that have been built in one stride and thus looks a lot more cohesive than the rest of them.
It’s also very close to the next chateau and thus can be seen in one day to give a very full rounded Loire vallee experience that you won’t forget!
9. A Staircase from Fairytales' Chateaux
This chateau is not only a stunning building, it’s also a very significant in French history. 7 kings and 10 queens lived at Blois. The walls of the castle hold 5 centuries of history.
Home to the renaissance king, Francois the First. Theatre of the religious wars of the 16th century, then the ascencion of Henri IV. Exile home of Marie de Medici, mother of Louis XIII, the king of the Muskeeters. There’s endless stories at Blois.
The chateau also hosts a Museum of Fine Arts inside the old apartments of King Louis XII and his queen Anne d’Autriche.
You can peruse an incredible collection of 16th & 17th century tapisseries, as well as royal portraits.
It’s really one of the jewels of the Loire Valley and if you can only see one or two, I’d definitely pick this one. Closely followed by the last castle of this list down here.
10. Best Chateau for Last
It’s hard to pick a favourite with the Loire Chateaux, but mine is by far, Chateau de Chambord.
This is the largest chateau in the Loire Valley, built by Francois the First‘s ambition, influenced by the greatest architects of the Renaissance, this is the grandest of all.
There is five hundred years of history at Chambord. Even Leonardo Da Vinci was a guest here. The brilliance of Chambord has to be experienced in person.
If you’re not that interested in the Loire Valley, Chambord is about 2hrs drive from Paris and makes for a magical day trip.
The interiors, the grounds and the terraces of the Chateau are worth your time. There’s nothing to skip at Chambord.
If you have extra time, book a tour guide to get all of the little stories that make up the chateau.
With over 400 rooms, and 15 staircases, the hour and a half tour will fly be. By the end, you’ll feel like a real life french princess.
Are you now convinced to plan your next trip to the Loire Valley and its incredible chateaux? If yes, check out my itinerary crafting article here! I’ve shared a few tips that might just help you.
If you do book your trip or have been in the past, let me know below which chateau was your favourite and why! I’ll see you there.
