The Royal Château of Blois stands in the centre of town on Place du Château. Its four wings around one courtyard run from flamboyant Gothic to Classical architecture. Seven French kings and ten queens lived here. Inside, you walk through royal apartments with period furniture, a medieval hall whose ceiling carries 6,000 fleur-de-lis, and the Museum of Fine Arts. Outside, the spiral staircase of the Francis I wing is the best-known detail of the façade. A sound and light show retells the castle's history, and guided tours are available.
Four wings around one courtyard
The château is a group of buildings put up between the 13th and 17th centuries, all arranged around the main courtyard. Each wing belongs to a different period, so a walk around the yard takes you from flamboyant Gothic through the Renaissance to Classicism. Successive owners, from the Counts of Blois to Francis I, added to the existing structure without destroying it.
The Louis XII wing dates from the period when the château became a royal residence, in the late 1400s. The Francis I wing is known for its spiral staircase, built on the outside of the building. The Gaston d'Orléans wing represents the Classical style. Unlike many Loire Valley palaces, the château stands in the middle of a town, with shops, bars and restaurants a few steps away.
The complex is large, with more than 560 rooms and 75 stairways. A 19th-century restoration gave the residence much of the appearance it has today.
Inside the château
The visit begins in the medieval hall, where the ceiling is covered with 6,000 fleur-de-lis. A 3D reconstruction shows how the building grew in stages, which makes the different wings easier to read when you reach the courtyard.
The royal apartments are furnished in period style. Beyond the furniture you will see vases, paintings, original wallpaper and floor tiles. The Hall of the Estates General is on the route, as is the council chamber, linked to the plot against the Duke of Guise.
The Museum of Fine Arts is in the château and shows art from the 16th to the 19th century, including masterpieces by Ingres, Rubens and Boucher. Guided tours explain the rooms and the court history behind them, and the chapel and terraces can be visited on your own.
Joan of Arc in 1429 and the Guise murder of 1588
Before the château became a royal home, Joan of Arc came here in 1429. She was blessed by the Archbishop of Reims before she left with her army to end the siege of Orléans.
A darker episode took place on the morning of 23 December 1588. King Henri III had summoned Henri, Duke of Guise, his rival, to the château. The duke was killed there by the king's guards. This is the event the council chamber is associated with.
Seven French kings and ten queens lived at Blois, and the guided route follows the intrigues of the court as well as the architecture.
Terraces, gardens and the surrounding town
The terraces give a view over the town of Blois. The Jardins du Roy are a contemporary version of a Renaissance garden and host cultural events.
Opposite the château is the Maison de la Magie Robert-Houdin, a Musée de France. It is the only public museum in Europe that combines collections of magic with a permanent venue for performing arts.
The Denis Papin staircase is a place to watch the sunset over the Loire. It is given a new colour every year. Blois is compact and easy to explore on foot, and the old streets cluster around the château.
The sound and light show
A sound and light show tells the history of the château, with the facades lit as part of the presentation. A free translation service is available, so you can follow the narration if you do not speak French. Check the château's website for show dates and booking.
FAQ
Should I book tickets in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended. Combo tickets for several attractions in one visit are also available at a discount.
What architectural styles can you see at the Château de Blois?
The four wings around the courtyard run from flamboyant Gothic to Classicism, and include a Renaissance wing built under Francis I with an exterior spiral staircase.
Is the light show available in English?
A free translation service is offered during the sound and light show so visitors can follow the narration.
Is the château wheelchair accessible?
The entrance, restroom and parking lot are wheelchair accessible. A hearing loop is available.
How far is Blois from Paris?
Blois is about 1 hour 30 minutes from Paris. The château is in the town centre, at 6 Place du Château.
