The Royal Loire
In the footsteps of François I: the double-helix staircase at Chambord and four centuries of architecture at the royal Château of Blois.
Suggested timings
Indicative timings for a 9:00am start by car, lunch break included. Adjust them to each site's opening hours.
- Drive18 min • 18 km
- 1
Stop 01 • Chambord09:00 – 10:30Visit 1h30Château de Chambord
The largest of the Loire châteaux, commissioned by François I.
Visit → - 2Stop 02 • Blois10:48 – 12:18Visit 1h30Drive 18 min
Royal Château of Blois
Four wings, four eras — an open-air textbook of French architecture.
Visit →
Practical tips
Set off around 9:00am: most sites open between 9:00 and 10:00 and crowds are still light early on.
Book museums and guided tours online, especially from June to September and during school holidays.
Walking shoes, a windproof layer and water: much of the route is outdoors and often exposed.
Two châteaux a day is enough: allow 1.5 to 2 hours per estate, gardens included, and 30 to 50 min of driving between them.
Multi-château passes exist (Chambord, Chenonceau, Villandry…) and let you skip the queue in high season.
The Loire à Vélo route links several stops on protected paths: a pleasant alternative on short sections.
Gardens peak from May to September; some sites cut their opening hours in January and February.