Loire Valley châteaux 

Think of ornate French architecture and the chances are that the Loire Valley châteaux will spring to mind. The Loire Valley is, after all, home to literally hundreds of castle-like palaces and a large portion of the region heralds UNESCO world heritage status. Although ‘only’ 80 or so open their doors to the public, nowhere in France hosts quite as many quintessential châteaux. 

A visit to France’s Loire Valley offers a stunning array of architectural gems, design brilliance and glorious gardens, all in exceptional locations. Discovering the Loire Valley châteaux also gives you a unique insight into French history, romantic liaisons, political intrigue, love triangles plus a dash of murders. 

Each of the Loire Valley châteaux comes with its own set of must-sees and every one presents a compelling case to visit. However, with 80 available to tourists, châteaux-fatigue could easily set in. To avoid an overdose of façades, gardens and interiors, we recommend pacing your visits. Pick just two or three for your Loire Valley holidays and leave others for another time. Or even better, take to the river Loire itself and glimpse the châteaux as you glide up or down the waters. 

To help you choose your must-see châteaux for your next trip to France, we’ve listed our favorites and hope they provide ample inspiration for your visit. Once you’re ready to plan your trip, we’ll be here to finalize your itinerary.

Best palace for kings – Château de Amboise 

Amboise sits on the river Loire and its château commands some of the best views. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the French court had its base at Amboise and this Loire château hosted numerous French monarchs and their entourages. 

Charles VIII was responsible for the extension work and added several key Gothic touches. They include two enormous cavalry towers designed to allow horses and carriages to travel up from the town to the château’s terraces. 

Must-see highlights

  • Leonardo Da Vinci’s tomb at St Hubert’s Chapel. 
  • Views of the Loire River and Valley from the balconies, rooftops and gardens.
  • Views of the château from the Loire – admire the façade in all its glory from the Ile d’Or.

Best island setting – Château d’Azay-le-Rideau

With its turrets and moat, Azay-le-Rideau is the stuff of fairytales. Its location also takes some beating – perched on an island on the Indre River, this castle enjoys one of the most romantic spots of all Loire Valley château. 

Built by François I in the 16th century, its combination of French tradition and Italian Renaissance made it one of the icons in château design.

Must-see highlights

  • The Neo-Renaissance furniture in most rooms, collected and added to by the Biencourt family who owned Azay-le-Rideau in the 19th century. 
  • The collection of French Renaissance portraits, a real who’s who guide to Loire Valley château history. 
  • Views of the château from the Water Mirror, built to slow the pace of the river and which now allows an almost static reflection of the façade into the water.

Best royal residence – Château de Blois 

Known as the Royal Palace of Chambord, this château sits at the heart of Blois in an elevated position overlooking the town and the Loire River. Its origins go back to the 13th century with extensive additions taking place well into the 17th. 

As a result, it’s one of the largest Loire Valley château, boasting 564 rooms and no less than 75 staircases throughout its four wings. 

Must-see highlights

  • Antiques throughout the château such as the small bronze clock made in 1620 by Cuper, one of the master clockmakers in Blois. 
  • The Fine Arts Museum with some 300 paintings. They include a portrait of Antoniette Gonsalvus, a court curiosity in 1595 because of her hypertrichosis (‘werewolf’) condition. 
  • The light and sound show that recreates the vivid history of the château.

Best large Loire palace – Château de Chambord

With its 156m-long façade, 440 rooms and 365 fireplaces, this Loire Valley château ranks among the largest château in France. Many claim it rivals Versailles in both statue and grandeur and François I, the instigator behind the main additions, certainly intended his hunting ‘lodge’ to be one of the finest in the country. 

The work took 15 years (François died before its completion) and Leonardo Da Vinci was responsible for some of the work. 

Must-see highlights

  • The double-helix staircase, attributed to Da Vinci and designed so that those going up didn’t have to meet those going down. 
  • The dozens of salamanders, Françoise I’s emblem, throughout the building. 
  • The rooftop feast of turrets, towers and chimneys, best admired from the gardens. 

Best garden festival – Château de Chaumont 

Built originally in the 11th century to guard the border between Anjou and Blois, Chaumont owes its Renaissance design to Charles II. Sculpted décor was one of his favorites and this adorns much of the façades today. 

But this château reached its pinnacle of glory in the late 19th century when the Princesse de Broglie bought it and went to town on Renaissance decoration, inside and out, for her sumptuous receptions attended by anyone from anywhere who was anyone. 

Must-see highlights

  • The International Garden Festival, held annually between April and October, is one of the best festivals in France
  • The Planets and Days Tapestries, recently restored to their former late 17th century glory. 
  • The Stables, built in 1877 and the finest in Europe at the time, complete with carriages and Hermès harnesses. 

Best river setting – Château de Chenonceau

Few Loire Valley château – or indeed anywhere in France – boast a setting to equal Chenonceau. The 15th century Renaissance creation spans the river Cher, which reflects the elegance of the palace in its waters. 

Chenonceau is also unique in its inhabitants. Women ruled here starting with Diane de Poitiers, Henry II’s governess and later his mistress, and she built the bridge across the river. Once Henry died, his wife Catherine de Medici had Diane evicted and moved in herself. Hers is the three-storey addition to the bridge that gives the château its river-top position. 

Chenonceau also formed the border between free and Nazi-occupied France during World War II and witnessed many prisoner exchanges. 

Must-see highlights

  • The Green Cabinet where Catherine de Medici managed the affairs of France for her son, Henry III.
  • The collection of European masterpieces by Rubens, Van Dyck, Tintoretto, Murillo, Poussin… 
  • The gardens complete with an Italian maze made of 2,000 yew trees. 

Best family seat – Château de Cheverny 

Most Loire Valley châteaux have left their residential past behind them and few are lived in nowadays. Cheverny is one of the exceptions and has been privately owned and inhabited for over six centuries. Built as a hunting palace in 1634, the château has a classic Renaissance style and perfect symmetry. 

Unlike many other châteaux, Cheverny doesn’t have a riverside location, although it’s just a short distance from Blois on the Loire River. Fans of Tintin will recognize it as the Château de Moulinsart in his adventures. 

Must-see highlights

  • The rich interiors that house antiques, paintings and a 17th century Gobelin tapestry. 
  • The gardens including the Tulip Garden whose 100,000 bulbs come into their own in April.
  • The 100 dogs (English Fox hound and French Poitevins cross) at the kennels.

Best true castle – Forteresse de Chinon 

Perched on the banks of the River Vienne, the Fortress of Chinon is perhaps the one Loire château with the biggest castle credentials. The building dates back to 954 when King Thibaud I constructed the first stone tower. 

A blood-thirsty history followed during the Plantagenets under Henry II but Chinon’s moment of glory came in 1429 when Joan of Arc met the Dauphin, future Charles VII, at the castle to convince him to give her an army to remove the English from France. The rest is, as they say, history. 

Must-see highlights

  • The eight towers including the oldest, Tour du Moulin. 
  • Henry II’s palace, discovered during restoration work earlier this century, and one of the few in Europe dating back to this period. 
  • The two rooms dedicated to Joan of Arc. 

Best garden fun – Châteaux de Rivau 

As far as Loire Valley châteaux go, Rivau ranks among the smallest, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in impact. Located just south of the Vienne River, to the east of Chinon, Rivau’s simple façade has all the elements of a typical medieval castle. 

However, this Loire Valley château’s forte lies outside rather than in. No less than 14 gardens make up the exterior, each themed and inspired by myths and legends. All include quirky art and installations, both botanical and otherwise, and ultimately showcasing some of the best gardens in France.

Must-see highlights

  • More than 460 scented rose bushes in the Rose Garden between April and October. 
  • Alice’s Maze complete with White Rabbit and other Lewis Carrol characters. 
  • The contemporary garden art including a giant watering can and pair of wellies. 

Best kitchens and Empire interiors – Château de Valençay

Like so many Loire Valley châteaux, Valençay owes its origins to the Middle Ages when the fortified castle afforded strategic views over the Nahon Valley. Subsequent owners added Renaissance touches, but it wasn’t until 1803 when the Prince de Talleyrand made the château his castle under pressure from Napoleon. 

As Grand Chamberlain, de Talleyrand restored the castle and made it fit for foreign influencers who he entertained with feasts and diplomatic panache. He also played prison guard to the Spanish crown prince, held by Napoleon at Valençay from 1808 to 1814 and gave the free rein of his kitchens to Antonin Carème, the finest chef in France in the 19th century.   

Must-see highlights

  • The kitchens as they were when Carème invented the vol-au-vent. Time your visit with a Gourmet Thursday for French dining at its best.
  • The Spanish Prince’s bedchamber, the largest and complete with bespoke furniture to store his gloves and handkerchiefs. 
  • The sumptuous interiors decorated in Empire style. 
  • The grounds complete with parkland and walks, perfect for all the family. 

Best Renaissance gardens – Château de Villandry

Little remains of the original medieval fortress dominating the river Cher after it was demolished by French Minister of Finance, Jean Le Breton, in 1532, but its replacement certainly made its mark. Villandry was one of the last major Loire Valley châteaux to be built during the Renaissance, although Le Breton favored the pure French style rather than Italian influences.

Its present state owes its splendor to Spanish doctor, Joaquim Carvallo and his American wife, Ann Coleman, who bought the ruins in the early 20th century and restored them as well as the gardens to their former Renaissance glory. 

Must-see highlights

  • The gardens, renowned for their geometric style and true Renaissance design.
  • The vegetable garden that ranks among the best you’ll see anywhere.
  • The 15th-century Mudejar ceiling in the Oriental Dining Room, shipped to Villandry from Toledo by Carvallo. 
  • The views of the River Cher. 

Discover the best Loire Valley châteaux 

Undoubtedly the best way to explore the Loire Valley, France, is from the river itself. Nothing beats contemplating the stunning scenery, dotted with châteaux at almost every turn from the river as you glide by. 

For one of Europe’s best river cruise experiences, book your place on a Loire River cruise. Our itineraries take in some of the most emblematic châteaux on the river. 

Or for the ultimate holiday, treat yourself to a luxury hotel barge cruise in the Loire Valley region and discover the châteaux in style. 

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Think of ornate French architecture and the chances are that the Loire Valley châteaux will spring to mind. The Loire Valley is, after all, home to literally hundreds of castle-like palaces and a large portion of the region heralds UNESCO world heritage status. Although ‘only’ 80 or so open their doors to the public, nowhere in France hosts quite as many quintessential châteaux.

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