Cidade Turismo
France

Before you go

Your trip to Blois.

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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Blois – Centro-Vale do Loire Destination Vale do Loire

How to get there

  • Aéroport Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG) Roissy-en-France · 210 km
  • Aéroport de Tours-Val de Loire (TUF) Tours · 65 km
  • Gare de Blois-Chambord 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Regional trains depart Paris-Austerlitz for Blois, on a journey of about 1h30 to 2 hours. There are also regional trains (TER) from Tours and Amboise. Gare de Blois-Chambord station is about a 10-minute walk from the castle. Check before you buy.

How many days

One day is enough for the royal castle, the old town and Chambord. With two days, add Cheverny and the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire. Cyclists can devote a day to Chambord via the bike path that crosses the park.

When to go

From April to October, when seasonal buses link Blois to Chambord and Cheverny and the Chaumont garden festival is in place. In the European summer, from June to August, days are long and there is a sound-and-light show in the castle courtyard. In winter, from December to February, it is cold and gets dark early.

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

Do you need a car?

Within the town, no: the castle, the Maison de la Magie and the old town are close to each other. For Chambord and Cheverny, which have no train service, there are seasonal regional buses from the station, or you can go by bike, taxi or tour. Chaumont-sur-Loire has a station at Onzain, on the other side of the river. A car makes it easier to combine all three in one day.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Blois
  1. Morning
    Château royal de Blois

    Start at the royal castle, with its four wings around the courtyard and the spiral staircase of the François I wing. Visit the royal apartments and the place where the Duke of Guise was killed.

  2. Afternoon
    Château de Chambord

    Have lunch in town and head to Chambord, about 16 km away, by car, seasonal bus or bicycle. Climb the double-helix staircase up to the roof terraces.

  3. Late afternoon
    Old town

    Back in Blois, descend the stairways and streets of the old town down to the Saint-Louis cathedral and the Jacques-Gabriel bridge over the Loire.

  4. Evening
    Dinner and sound-and-light

    Dine in the old town. In season, from April to September, the castle presents an evening sound-and-light show in the courtyard; check the dates.

2 days in Blois

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Royal castle

    Visit the Château royal de Blois and its four styles, from Gothic to Classic, around the same courtyard.

  2. Afternoon
    Maison de la Magie

    Cross the square and enter the Maison de la Magie, with optical illusions and a theatre show. Check in advance whether it is open in season.

  3. Late afternoon
    Streets and stairways

    Walk through the old town, along the Denis-Papin stairways and the gardens of the Évêché behind the cathedral, with views over the Loire.

  4. Evening
    Loire riverside

    Dine in the old town or near the river. Many restaurants close their kitchens between lunch and dinner.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Chambord

    Go early to Chambord to see the castle with fewer people. Explore the double-helix staircase, the apartments and the terraces.

  2. Afternoon
    Cheverny

    Continue to Cheverny, about 18 km from Chambord. See the furnished interiors, the gardens and the exhibition about Tintin, since the castle inspired Moulinsart.

  3. Late afternoon
    Chaumont-sur-Loire

    Finish at the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, with the castle above the river and the festival gardens. In high season, the domaine stays open until early evening.

  4. Evening
    Return to Blois

    Have dinner in Blois. Try a Cheverny wine, the local appellation of the area.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Paris to Blois?

By regional train departing Gare d'Austerlitz, on a journey of about 1h30 to 2 hours. Gare de Blois-Chambord station is close to the centre. Those coming from Tours or Amboise also arrive by regional train.

How to get from Blois to Chambord without a car?

In season, regional buses depart Blois station for Chambord and Cheverny. You can also go by bicycle—about 16 km with a section inside the park—by taxi or on a guided tour. Check schedules before you go.

Is Blois a better base than Tours?

For Chambord, Cheverny and Chaumont-sur-Loire, yes, because they are closer. For Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau and Chinon, Tours is more convenient. Many people split their stay between the two.

How many days to stay in Blois?

One day for the castle and Chambord. Two days to add Cheverny, Chaumont-sur-Loire and the Maison de la Magie.

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