📍
France
LOIRE CHÂTEAUX: ROYAL PALACES AND RENAISSANCE DREAMS
Châteaux rising from Loire waters, finely carved turrets and towers, gardens overflowing with ambition, salons whispering their secrets. The Loire, Europe's greatest dream in stone.
≈ 24
Days
680
Km
22
Stops
Journey through the Loire Valley to the rhythm of châteaux and gardens. Explore Chambord and its hunting lodge, visit Chenonceau spanning the water, climb the stairs of Blois, then wander through parks and landscapes shaped by Renaissance imagination.
- Chambord: hunting lodge majesty
- Chenonceau: arches over water
- Blois: royal stairs spiral
- Villandry: formal gardens cascade
- Valençay: grand façade elegance
Your day-by-day itinerary
1
Day
6 photos
Discover
1
Château de Sully sur Loire, medieval fortress in a park
2
Furnished interiors of the château de Sully sur Loire
3
Keep and king's chamber at Sully sur Loire
4
Small château of the Sully sur Loire estate
Activities
→
Walk in the 42-hectare departmental natural park at Sully sur Loire
Next stop
Distance:
66.8 km
Travel time:
1h07
2
Day
6 photos
Discover
1
Château de Meung sur Loire, one of the largest châteaux in Loiret
2
Discovery of the rooms of the château de Meung sur Loire
3
Stroll in the park of the château de Meung sur Loire
Next stop
Distance:
25.4 km
Travel time:
51min
3
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Château de Talcy, preserved Renaissance residence
2
Tour of the Renaissance rooms of the château de Talcy
3
Walk in the gardens of the château de Talcy
Next stop
Distance:
23.4 km
Travel time:
47min
4
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Château de Chambord, largest of the Loire Valley castles
2
Double revolution staircase of Château de Chambord
3
Roofs and chimneys of Château de Chambord
4
Carriage hall of Château de Chambord
Activities
→
Walk in the gardens and park of the Chambord estate
→
Year-end illuminations at Chambord
Next stop
Distance:
41.9 km
Travel time:
1h24
5
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Château de La Ferté Saint Aubin in the heart of a wooded park
2
Visit to the historic halls of Château de La Ferté Saint Aubin
3
Walk in the 50-hectare park of La Ferté Saint Aubin
Next stop
Distance:
44.2 km
Travel time:
1h28
6
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Château de Villesavin in the heart of Sologne
2
Visit of Villesavin castle and its outbuildings
3
Walk in the park around Villesavin castle
Next stop
Distance:
8.9 km
Travel time:
18min
7
Day
6 photos
Discover
1
Cheverny castle, model for Marlinspike Hall from the comic strip
2
Richly furnished interiors of Cheverny castle
3
Great gardens of the Cheverny estate
Activities
→
The Secrets of Marlinspike Hall exhibition at Cheverny castle
→
Electric boat ride in Cheverny park
→
Picnic in Cheverny castle park
Next stop
Distance:
17.2 km
Travel time:
34min
8
Day
2 photos
Discover
1
Royal castle of Blois, favorite residence of the Kings of France during the Renaissance
2
Royal apartments of Blois castle
3
Exterior architectural elements and staircase of the François I wing at Blois
4
Fine Arts Museum of Blois castle
+1 Places visited
Activities
→
Sound and light show of the royal castle of Blois
Next stop
Distance:
21.2 km
Travel time:
42min
9
Day
6 photos
Discover
1
Regional estate of Chaumont sur Loire, balcony over the Loire
2
Prestigious stables of the Chaumont sur Loire estate
3
Decorated apartments of Chaumont sur Loire castle
Activities
→
Walk in the 32-hectare English-style park at Chaumont sur Loire
Next stop
Distance:
21.7 km
Travel time:
43min
10
Day
6 photos
Discover
1
Château du Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci's last residence
2
Leonardo da Vinci's machines tour at Clos Lucé
3
Renaissance Cuisine of the Auberge du Prieuré at Clos Lucé
4
Leonardo da Vinci Park and Leonardo's Garden
Activities
→
Family fun activities at Château du Clos Lucé
Next stop
Distance:
14.2 km
Travel time:
28min
11
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Château de Chenonceau, residence of the great ladies of History
2
Two-story gallery of Château de Chenonceau above the Cher
3
Richly decorated rooms of Château de Chenonceau
4
Main gardens of Château de Chenonceau
+2 Places visited
Next stop
Distance:
54 km
Travel time:
54min
12
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Château de Valençay, former residence of Talleyrand
2
Collections of objects and furniture from the Château de Valençay
3
Small theater with First Empire decor at Valençay
4
Gardens and 53-hectare park of the Château de Valençay
Next stop
Distance:
88.5 km
Travel time:
1h29
13
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Royal City of Loches, fortified city overlooking the Indre valley
2
Monumental Royal Gate of Loches
3
Loches dungeon and prison art
4
Garden with medieval influences of the royal city of Loches
Activities
→
Interactive visit of Loches with the HistoPad
Next stop
Distance:
47.5 km
Travel time:
1h35
14
Day
5 photos
Discover
1
Château du Rivau, fairy tale castle
2
Royal stables of the Château du Rivau
3
Decoration blending classical and contemporary art at Rivau
4
Gargantua's vegetable garden at Rivau castle
+1 Places visited
Activities
→
Stroll through the fairy gardens of Rivau castle
Next stop
Distance:
12.6 km
Travel time:
25min
15
Day
6 photos
Discover
1
Royal fortress of Chinon, fortified castle overlooking the Vienne
2
Interactive scenography of Chinon fortress
3
Large defensive tower of Chinon
4
Coudray Tower and Templar graffiti at Chinon
Next stop
Distance:
25.9 km
Travel time:
52min
16
Day
6 photos
Discover
1
Château d'Azay le Rideau, romantic jewel set on water
2
Honor staircase of Château d'Azay le Rideau
3
Renaissance chamber of Philippe Lesbahy at Azay le Rideau
4
Landscaped park surrounding the château of Azay le Rideau
Next stop
Distance:
24.7 km
Travel time:
49min
17
Day
Discover
1
Fortress of Montbazon and its tall tower
2
Discovery of the keep of the fortress of Montbazon
Activities
→
Medieval entertainment and demonstrations at Montbazon
Next stop
Distance:
21.5 km
Travel time:
43min
18
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Château de Villandry, famous for its gardens
2
Decorative vegetable garden of Villandry composed of nine regular squares
3
Terraced gardens of the château de Villandry
4
Furnished and decorated rooms of the château de Villandry
Activities
→
Relaxation in the oriental salon of the château de Villandry
Next stop
Distance:
10.1 km
Travel time:
20min
19
Day
8 photos
Discover
1
Château de Langeais, medieval treasure with keep and manor house
2
Keep of the château de Langeais
3
Decor of the rooms in the seigneurial manor house of Langeais
4
Medieval-inspired gardens of the château de Langeais
Activities
→
Reenactment of the marriage scene of Charles VIII and Anne de Bretagne
Next stop
Distance:
14.8 km
Travel time:
30min
20
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Château de Champchevrier, hunting lodge of the kings
2
Visit to the reception halls of the château de Champchevrier
3
Discovery of the history of hunting at Champchevrier
Next stop
Distance:
18.8 km
Travel time:
38min
21
Day
6 photos
Discover
1
Château de Gizeux and its great painted galleries
2
Collections of furniture and art objects at Gizeux
Next stop
Distance:
76.8 km
Travel time:
1h17
22
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Royal Château of Amboise, former residence of the kings of France
2
360-degree view of the Loire from the ramparts of Amboise
3
Saint Hubert Chapel where Leonardo da Vinci rests
4
Panoramic garden of the royal château of Amboise
Activities
→
Guided tour of the royal château of Amboise
🗺️ Itinerary map
🗺️ Nearby itineraries
🛡️ Travel advice - France
Check official recommendations
❓ Frequently asked questions
What weather should you expect?
Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere.
Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season.
Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value.
Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.
How many days should I plan?
We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 19 and 29 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.
What to discover in France?
Cultural capital with incredible cuisine, world-famous attractions, and diverse regions from Paris to Provence. Experience artistic heritage, wine culture, and sophisticated lifestyle. The country offers excellent infrastructure with cultural depth and culinary excellence. France provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and modern sophistication in easily accessible destination.