Loire Valley
Châteaux, river towns and vineyards along the middle Loire, best seen from one base town at a steady pace.
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The Loire Valley follows the middle stretch of the Loire river through central France for about 280 kilometers (170 miles). It crosses two regions, Pays de la Loire and Centre-Val de Loire, and is often called the Garden of France. The valley is known for its châteaux: more than three hundred, from medieval fortifications built in the 10th century to Renaissance palaces, many of them on hilltops.
The central part of the valley was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2000. Its 42 châteaux span the valley from Chalonnes-sur-Loire to Sully-sur-Loire. Historic towns such as Amboise, Blois, Tours, Saumur and Angers make practical bases for day trips. A 2014 Telegraph list of top châteaux for tourists included Chambord and Chenonceau. Wines range from Muscadet near the Atlantic to Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé southeast of Orléans. Summers are hot, with Atlantic breezes moderating the heat, while springs can bring frost. Plan a few days around one base town and a limited number of châteaux each day, so each visit gets time.
Loire Valley in five
- Base in Tours or AmboiseTours has the fast train from Paris and regional trains to several châteaux. Amboise is smaller and closer to Chenonceau.Amboise
- Limit yourself to two châteaux a dayDistances between the big châteaux are 20 to 60 km. Two visits and a wine stop make a full day; Blois and Angers add city châteaux.Blois
- Cycle the Loire à VéloThe marked route follows the river on quiet roads and paths, and bike rental shops in the towns offer drop-offs.
- Book Chambord and Chenonceau in high seasonBoth are the busiest châteaux in the valley. Buy timed tickets online for July and August, and go at opening or late afternoon.
Neighborhoods
Amboise
- Best for: Short stays, couples
- To airport: Train from Tours, about 20 min
- Price band: $$
- Château and Clos Lucé on foot
- Market days
- Quiet at night
Skip if you want many restaurants.
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Blois
- Best for: Drivers, history
- To airport: Train from Tours, about 40 min
- Price band: $$
- Château in the center
- Good for Chambord by car
- Steep streets
Skip if you want a car-free week.
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Angers
- Best for: Wine lovers, drivers
- To airport: TGV from Paris, about 1.5 hours
- Price band: $$
- Angers fortress
- Saumur wine cellars
- Far from Chambord
Skip if you want the eastern châteaux.
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Orléans
Orléans is a riverside city on the Loire, known for Joan of Arc's 1429 siege relief and as a train stop before the châteaux.
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Things to do in Loire Valley
See all attractions in Loire Valley
Need to know
- Airport
- Tours (TUF) small; Paris CDG or Orly are more practical
- Getting there
- TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps about 1 hour
- Getting around
- Car or bike; regional trains reach some châteaux
- Best base
- Tours for trains, Amboise or Blois for a small-town base
- Time needed
- 3–4 days
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, some closed
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchCool, gardens start
- AprilSpring, mild
- MayGardens in bloom
- JuneLong days, cycling
- JulyWarm, busiest
- AugustWarm, busiest
- SeptemberHarvest, mild
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberGray, quiet
- DecemberCold, lights
Right now in Loire Valley
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
11
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 68%
- Wind
- 19 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 5%
Loire Valley
09:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today12°4°5%Monday: Rain. High 12°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Tue10°4°3%Tuesday: Rain. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed11°2°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu9°2°23%Thursday: Rain. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 23%.
- Fri10°4°18%Friday: Fog. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Sat11°4°10%Saturday: Fog. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sun13°3°17%Sunday: Rain. High 13°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 17%.
Updated 05:15 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Chenonceauabout 30 minutes by train from ToursThe château built across the Cher, a short walk from Chenonceaux station.
- Amboiseabout 20 minutes by train from ToursThe royal château and Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci's last home.Read the guide
- Chambordabout 1 hour by car from ToursThe largest château, with a double-helix staircase and a vast walled park.
- Bloisabout 40 minutes by train from ToursA town château with wings from four centuries.Read the guide
Before you go to Loire Valley
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Rules for Loire Valley, checked
- Check the entry rules for your passport on the French foreign ministry travel site before you fly.Source
- Hotels ask for a passport or ID card at check-in. Carry the original document, not a photo of it.
- Declare food, plants and animal products at customs on arrival. Some items can be confiscated.Source
Plan around Loire Valley
Regions, TGV, EES and money basics
Read the guideAmboiseRoyal château and Leonardo's last home
Read the guideBloisA château town near Chambord
Read the guideAngersA fortress city at the western end
Read the guideParisTGV links the capital in about 1 hour
Read the guideGetting aroundTrains, bikes and car hire
Read the guideLoire Valley FAQ
Can I visit the Loire Valley as a day trip from Paris?
Yes, by TGV to Tours or on a tour, but you will see only one or two châteaux. Two or three nights are better.
Do I need a car in the Loire Valley?
Not for Chenonceau, Amboise, Blois and Tours, which have trains. Chambord and smaller châteaux are easier by car, bike or shuttle.
Which Loire château should I see first?
Chenonceau for its setting over the river and Chambord for its scale. Add Amboise or Villandry for the gardens.
How many days do you need in the Loire Valley?
Three days covers four or five châteaux with a base in Tours or Amboise. Add a day for Chambord and one for wine or a long bike ride.
What is the best time to visit the Loire Valley?
May, June and September have mild weather and open gardens. July and August are hot and busy, and many smaller châteaux close in winter, so check each one.