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Culture & history

Culture & history

Our most recommended Blois Culture & history

From Paris: Loire Valley Castles Day Trip With Wine Tasting

1. From Paris: Loire Valley Castles Day Trip With Wine Tasting

Discover iconic castles on this bus day trip from Paris to the Loire Valley and explore Château de Chambord on a self-guided tour. Have free time in the charming town of Bloise and visit Château de Chenonceau for a self guided tour and wine tasting experience. From Paris, head to Château de Chambord. Disney fans will find this castle’s turrets familiar; it was the inspiration for the castle in "Beauty and the Beast." Though originally conceived as a royal hunting lodge, it was built to a scale that must be seen to be believed. Learn all about the castle’s captivating history from your guide before entering the castle. You can then visit the inside at your own pace on a self-guided visit. Climb a staircase supposedly designed by Da Vinci, enjoy spectacular turret-framed rooftop views, and glimpse wild deer around the grounds. Having worked up an appetite, get back on the bus and continue on to the next stop: the quaint town of Blois. Take some free time to enjoy lunch (at your own expense) in one of the restaurants located around the beautiful and vibrant Square Louis XII. Last but not least is the elegant Château de Chenonceau. The chapel, bedrooms, and magnificent vaulted kitchens are still furnished and decorated from times gone by, showing off the castle’s many sweeping stone carvings. Don’t miss the impressive main hall, which spans the river Cher, or the gardens cultivated by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici — 2 of the famous owners that earned Chenonceau the nickname "the Ladies’ Château." After a your visit, continue exploring or indulge in a wine tasting in the castle’s vaulted wine cellar. Your tour leader will entertain you between stops with insights and stories about the countryside and the nobility who once reigned over the region. Three uniquely beautiful French castles and a wine tasting, all amid the stunning scenery of the Loire Valley — this memorable day trip from Paris will delight all the senses.

Blois: Chateau de Blois Entry Ticket

2. Blois: Chateau de Blois Entry Ticket

Learn the secrets of the French court by taking a visit to one of the most intriguing emblems of French architecture. A favorite residence of 7 French kings and 10 French queens, the castle occupies a central place in the country's history. Throughout the centuries, dramas, plots, and power games have played out in the Royal Chateau.  With this entry ticket, visit 4 wings, go back in time to 4 different eras, and witness 4 architectural styles.  From the courtyard, a unique and majestic view opens up for you. In turn, your eyes will rest upon the 4 Medieval, Gothic, Renaissance, and Classical facades. These wings constitute a unique example of French architecture. The Chateau itself is a concentration of French history’s great architectural periods. In 1854, it was classified as a historic monument. Magnificently restored in the 19th century by Felix Duban, the Royal Chateau is beautifully furnished, decorated, and filled with color. From the tiled floors to the wood panels it is a feast for the eyes. Once inside, enter the Blois Fine Arts Museum, classed as a Museum of France. Perouse a wealth of more than 35,000 works with masterpieces by Ingres, Rubens, and Boucher. Take in an incredible view of the Loire river and the beautiful old town. The Royal Chateau offers a wide choice of original and stunning events throughout the year. From major exhibitions and classical fencing displays in summer, evening events lit by electric torches in the winter to behind-the-doors tours and Renaissance balls.  After your visit, take a few steps and see the shops, bars, and restaurants that liven up Blois in summer and winter. Stroll through the streets, alleys, and remarkable gardens.

From Tours: Chambord, Chenonceau & Lunch at Family Chateau

3. From Tours: Chambord, Chenonceau & Lunch at Family Chateau

Travel back to the days of the French Renaissance on a full-day tour of the châteaux of the Loire Valley. Enjoy a lunch in a privately owned and still-occupied castle. Start with a visit to Chenonceau, and pass the must-see castles of the French “Valley of the Kings,” including Chaumont, Amboise, and Blois. Upon arrival at the Château de Chenonceau, admire the unusual castle built on a bridge across the Cher River.  Stroll through the manicured gardens, named after Catherine de Médicis and Diane de Poitiers, the famous women who once lived there. Take time to appreciate the refined architecture, beautiful antiques, and lovely arrangements of fresh flowers. Discover glorious works of art and architecture as your guide selects the most emblematic rooms to visit. On your way to lunch at the Chateau of Villesavin, admire authentic French villages and the countryside. Eat a traditional French lunch with local products and local wine. Arrive at Chambord and discover the apartments of Francis I. View the double helix staircase, an emblem of Chambord. Hear memorable anecdotes and see hidden details. Get breathtaking views of the castle during a coffee break in Chambord Park. Enjoy the most striking view of Château de Chambord, before ending your tour in the evening.

From Amboise: Chambord and Chenonceau Tour with Lunch

4. From Amboise: Chambord and Chenonceau Tour with Lunch

Travel back to the days of the French Renaissance on a full-day tour of the châteaux of the Loire Valley. Enjoy a relaxed lunch in a family-owned, and still occupied, chateau. Meet your guide in Amboise and travel to Chateau de Chenonceau. Stroll through the manicured gardens named after Catherine de Médicis and Diane de Poitiers, the chateau's former residents. Appreciate the refined architecture and feminine influence in each room and see precious antiques and flower arrangements. For lunch, after a short drive, enjoy a meal served at an off-the-beaten-path private castle, hosted by the French Countess who lives there. Taste local food in one of the smallest of all the Loire Valley castles. Then, continue to Chateau de Chambord. Discover a glorious work of art and architecture as your guide selects the most emblematic rooms to visit. Hear memorable anecdotes as they point out hidden details. Get breathtaking views of the castle during a coffee break in Chambord Park before returning to Amboise in the evening.

From Tours/Amboise: Day Trip to Chambord, Blois & Cheverny

5. From Tours/Amboise: Day Trip to Chambord, Blois & Cheverny

Depart Tours or Amboise to journey into the Loire Valley and discover some of its famous châteaux. Stop at the Château de Blois, notable for its unique mix of Medieval, Gothic, Renaissance and Classical architecture. The former home of kings Louis XII and François I, its history is steeped in tragedy and is notable as the place where Joan of Arc went to be blessed by the Archbishop of Reims before departing with her army to drive the English from Orléans. Pause for a wine tasting and sample some of the organic wines of Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny. The Cheverny appellation produces elegant reds from the pinot noir and gamay grapes, as well as fruity whites from the chardonnay and sauvignon grapes. Sample a stunning organic white wine made from the romorantin grape, imported into the Loire Valley by King François I. Take a guided tour of the Château de Cheverny, owned by the same family since the days of Louis XIII. See some of the most beautiful furniture in the Loire Valley, and learn the château's rich history, such as its connection to Tintin comic books and the impressive hunts on horseback that used to take place with a pack of 100 dogs. You may even get to see the spectacular daily event of “the dogs’ soup!” Move on to the Château de Chambord, one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world for its distinctive French Renaissance architecture. Discover the vast national game reserve of the largest château in the Loire Valley, and learn the monument's fascinating history, including the unverified tale of Leonardo da Vinci's involvement in its construction. Return to your original departure town, with drop off in Tours at 18:00 or Amboise at 18:45.

From Amboise: Full-Day Guided E-bike Tour to Chambord

6. From Amboise: Full-Day Guided E-bike Tour to Chambord

What better way to discover the castles of the Loire than an electric bike tour. You will visit two magnificent castles: a charming family property and the prestigious Château de Chambord. Then have lunch in Chambord Park, and stroll through the estate, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. In e-bike mode, your perception changes and this excursion will allow you to enjoy this magnificent region “à la française!”.

Blois: Private Tour of Blois Castle with Entry Tickets

7. Blois: Private Tour of Blois Castle with Entry Tickets

Take a walk back in time while visiting the charming Château Blois, the favorite residence of 7 kings and 10 queens of France! Learn about the history of the castle combining 4 architectural styles. Discover the unique art collection, including the masterpieces of the famous artists "Ingres", "Rubens", and "Boucher". Visit the royal apartments, decorated with wonderful pieces of Renaissance furniture. Stop at the King's room, where François the First ate his meals. Admire the huge fireplaces and amazing tapestries! The Studiolo (from the italian "study") is the only royal cabinet of the French Renaissance to have been conserved. Enjoy a private, 2-hour tour with a local licensed tour guide who is ready to answer all your questions and personalize the visit according to your own needs!

Chateaux de la Loire cycling !

8. Chateaux de la Loire cycling !

Take a cycling day trip from Le Mans and discover the wonders of the Loire’s cultural heritage. Start by traveling to Muides-sur-Loire from Le Mans with your guide. Then, start cycling and make your way to the local forest of Boulogne, where the famous castle of Chambord is based. After a picnic in a picturesque spot, you will head to the castle of Cheverny and its beautiful gardens. Take a short break before continuing your bike tour. Then, cross the scenic vineyards famous for their fruity red wines of Cheverny AOC, made from gamay and pinot noir grapes. Learn about how white wines are made with sauvignon and chardonnay. Pedal towards the finish line at the castle of Chaumont-sur-Loire, which marks the grand finale of a memorable day out.

From Tours: Full-Day Guided E-Bike Tour to Chambord

9. From Tours: Full-Day Guided E-Bike Tour to Chambord

What better way to discover the castles of the Loire than an electric bike tour. You will visit two magnificent castles: a charming family property and the prestigious Château de Chambord. Then have lunch in Chambord Park, and stroll through the estate, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. In e-bike mode, your perception changes and this excursion will allow you to enjoy this magnificent region “à la française!”.

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What people are saying about Blois

Absolutely loved this trip. It's definitely an all dayer but they give us loads of time to stop for food and wc breaks. I was lucky enough to have made friends with the tour trainers who was over seeing the trip. And all I can say is , ask questions as their knowledge of the history of each place we went to was phenomenal! I learnt alot and the guides were so amazing that I'm recommending this tour to all of my friends visiting Paris. Thanks for a fab trip!

Perfectly paced tour with commentary from a very knowledgeable tour guide. Learned a lot of the history of the chateaus from tour guide, Seinse. Enough time to explore the chateaus, click photos and buy souvenirs.

Great day trip! It was indeed a long day (13hrs) but well worth it. The tour guides were very informative and the attractions were worth the visit.

Such an amazing experience. The tour guides were super sweet and knowledgeable. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and the châteaus were stunning.

Beautiful castles, definitely worth visiting! We enjoyed the trip