Cidade Turismo
France
Vale do Loire

Centro-Vale do Loire · France

Vale do Loire

Renaissance castles along the Loire and its tributaries, based in Tours, Amboise and Blois, with a direct train from Paris.

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In the photo: Château de Chambord · Vale do Loire

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The Vale do Loire is the strip of land along the Loire River, the longest in France, where kings and nobles built castles between the Middle Ages and the 17th century. The stretch between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, and the Château de Chambord had already been listed in 1981.

Tours is the largest, with a TGV station and regional trains to almost everything. Amboise is small and lies between Chenonceau and the Clos Lucé, the house where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last years. Blois has the royal château in the centre and is close to Chambord, Cheverny and Chaumont-sur-Loire.

The châteaux are spread across the countryside. Some have a train station at the door, like Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau and Langeais; others, such as Chambord and Cheverny, rely on car, seasonal buses, bicycle or organized trips. The Loire à Vélo cycling route that follows the river connects the three towns.

The word you’ll see most on signs is château, which can mean either a palace or a fortified castle. Local cuisine includes Tours rillettes, Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine goat cheese and wines such as Vouvray, Chinon and Touraine.

This destination brings together 3 cities: Tours, Amboise, Blois.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Vale do Loire is
ToursAmboiseBlois

Contornos: © IGN, ADMIN EXPRESS, Licence Ouverte 2.0. Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Vale do Loire

✈ Aéroport Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG), in Roissy-en-France · 265 km to Tours

✈ Aéroport de Tours-Val de Loire (TUF), in Tours · 6 km to Tours

The most common route is to fly to Paris and continue by train. The TGV leaves Paris-Montparnasse for Tours or Saint-Pierre-des-Corps in about 1 hour; trains to Blois depart from Paris-Austerlitz.

Suggested arrival point: Tours

Tours
Centro-Vale do Loire · Vale do Loire Suggested arrival point

Tours

Tours is the largest city in the Vale do Loire and the gateway for those arriving by train from Paris. The historic centre, the Vieux Tours, has half-timbered houses around Place Plumereau, the Cathédrale Saint-Gatien with 13th-century stained-glass windows and the Basilique Saint-Martin, which houses the tomb of São Martinho. Trains and roads run from the city to the castles of Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau, Langeais and Chinon.

The local experience

Things to do in Vale do Loire

Château royal d'Amboise
Amboise · Centro-Vale do Loire · Castle

Château royal d'Amboise

Residence of the kings of France during the Renaissance, on a rocky promontory above the Loire, with the Saint-Hubert chapel where Leonardo da Vinci’s tomb is located.

Château royal de Blois
Blois · Centro-Vale do Loire · Castle

Château royal de Blois

The preferred residence of the kings of France in the Renaissance, with four wings from different periods around a single courtyard and the spiral staircase of the François I wing.

Vieux Tours et Place Plumereau
Tours · Centro-Vale do Loire · Historic neighborhood

Vieux Tours et Place Plumereau

Historic centre of Tours, with half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries around Place Plumereau, the square of cafés and restaurants.

Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours
Tours · Centro-Vale do Loire · Cathedral

Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours

Gothic cathedral of Tours, dedicated to São Gaciano, the city's first bishop, featuring a set of 13th-century stained glass windows and the Psalette cloister beside it.

See 12 more places in Vale do Loire
Château du Clos Lucé
Amboise · Centro-Vale do Loire · Castle

Château du Clos Lucé

House where Leonardo da Vinci lived from 1516 until his death in 1519, with a bedroom, studio and a park with models of the machines he designed.

Maison de la Magie Robert-Houdin
Blois · Centro-Vale do Loire · Museum

Maison de la Magie Robert-Houdin

Museum of magic opposite the castle of Blois, dedicated to Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, with optical illusions, a collection of objects and a theatre show.

Basilique Saint-Martin de Tours
Tours · Centro-Vale do Loire · Church

Basilique Saint-Martin de Tours

Neo-Byzantine basilica from the late 19th century, built over the tomb of São Martinho de Tours, one of France's most popular saints.

Château de Chambord
Blois · Centro-Vale do Loire · Castle

Château de Chambord

The largest of the Loire castles, built by François I from 1519, with the double-helix staircase and a walled park of about 50 km².

Château de Chenonceau
Amboise · Centro-Vale do Loire · Castle

Château de Chenonceau

16th-century castle built over the Cher River, with a two-storey gallery on a bridge, known as the Ladies' Castle.

Château de Cheverny
Blois · Centro-Vale do Loire · Castle

Château de Cheverny

A 17th-century classical château, still home to the same family, with furnished interiors and an exhibition about Tintin, since it inspired the château of Moulinsart.

Château de Villandry
Tours · Centro-Vale do Loire · Castle

Château de Villandry

The last of the great Renaissance châteaux built on the banks of the Loire, known for its terraced gardens, including an ornamental potager, water garden and maze.

Pagode de Chanteloup
Amboise · Centro-Vale do Loire · Monument

Pagode de Chanteloup

Pagoda of about 40 meters built in 1775 by the Duke of Choiseul, the last remnant of the Château de Chanteloup, offering panoramic views over the forest and the Loire Valley.

Château d'Azay-le-Rideau
Tours · Centro-Vale do Loire · Castle

Château d'Azay-le-Rideau

Renaissance castle built between 1518 and 1524 on the Indre river, with part of the structure supported on piles in the water.

Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire
Blois · Centro-Vale do Loire · Castle

Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire

A château above the Loire with a historic park, stables and the International Garden Festival, which each year brings together gardens created by landscape designers from various countries.

Château de Langeais
Tours · Centro-Vale do Loire · Castle

Château de Langeais

Castle built by Louis XI in 1465, where Charles VIII married Anne of Brittany in 1491, with rooms furnished in the medieval style.

Forteresse royale de Chinon
Tours · Centro-Vale do Loire · Castle

Forteresse royale de Chinon

Medieval fortress made up of three castles on a hill above the Vienne river, where Joan of Arc met King Charles VII in 1429.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From April to October, when all the châteaux and gardens are open and the Chaumont Garden Festival is in place. European summer, June to August, has long days and more visitors. May, June and September are usually good for cycling. In winter, from December to February, some sites reduce hours or close.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

With 3 days you can see the main châteaux: one day for Amboise and Chenonceau, one for Blois and Chambord, and one for Tours with Villandry or Azay-le-Rideau. With 4 or 5 days you can add Cheverny, Chaumont-sur-Loire, Langeais, Chinon and a stretch by bike. A day trip from Paris is possible, but only allows time for one or two châteaux.

Which city to stay in

Tours is the most practical base for train travellers: stay near Gare de Tours or in Vieux Tours around Place Plumereau, with restaurants and nightlife. Amboise suits those wanting a small town, within walking distance of the château and the Clos Lucé, and close to Chenonceau. Blois is the base for Chambord, Cheverny and Chaumont; the upper town near the château and the riverbank concentrate accommodation. If you have a car you can sleep in villages or country houses between the châteaux.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Vale do Loire

How many days to reserve for the Vale do Loire?

Three days allow you to see the best-known châteaux: Amboise, Clos Lucé and Chenonceau in one day; Blois and Chambord the next; Tours with Villandry or Azay-le-Rideau on the third. With four or five days there’s time for Cheverny, Chaumont-sur-Loire, Langeais and Chinon at a more relaxed pace.

Do I need to rent a car to visit the châteaux?

It's not mandatory. Tours, Amboise, Blois, Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau, Langeais and Chinon have train stations. Chambord and Cheverny are in the countryside: you can reach them by seasonal regional bus from Blois, by bike, taxi or on an organized tour. A car gives you the freedom to combine three châteaux in one day.

Can you do the Vale do Loire as a day trip from Paris?

Yes, but with limited time at each site. By TGV to Tours or Saint-Pierre-des-Corps and then a regional train to Amboise or Chenonceau, you can fit one or two châteaux into the day. There are also coach tours from Paris. To make the most of it, ideally sleep at least one or two nights in the region.

What is the best time to visit the Vale do Loire?

From April to October, when châteaux, gardens and the Chaumont Garden Festival are open. The gardens of Villandry are usually at their most colorful from May to September. In European summer, June to August, the days are long and there are more visitors. In winter, December to February, it’s cold, nights fall early and some sites close or reduce hours.

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