One Day In Loire Valley

Last Updated on April 11, 2022 by Roslin Dwivedi

The fairytale-like, medieval castles of Loire Valley are so worth visiting, I can tell after our small tour over there. I must suggest you should take at least two days or three, to explore Loire Valley. Its enchanting chateaux architecture, charming cities, beautiful landscapes and astonishing river sights are not to be missed. Loire Valley one day itinerary and tips to plan (with a baby), describes our one day trip to Loire Valley among many beautiful Chateaux. We managed to visit at least two entirely inside-out with its grand gardens and one Chateau from outside.

Choosing Loire Valley as one of our vacation stops in France was initially a suggestion from Aaruni’s friend. While planning an itinerary, during our research, we loved the pictures we found on the internet. It was love at first sight. We knew that we would like to see the interiors of France after visiting Paris.

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Also Read: 12 Things to do for the first time in Paris with a Baby – An ultimate 5 days itinerary.

Loire Valley one day trip (with a baby)

Château d’Amboise

The discovery of Loire Valley started from Tours (France), driving through highways, few narrow roads and the bridge over the River Loire. We reached the Château d’Amboise and standing in a queue, we waited for our turn to buy the tickets. Thanks to the generous people working over there let us purchase the tickets easily (thanks to our baby too). 

Entering inside the Chateau facade, we were enlightened by the beauty of the Castle and its surrounding. We spent around one hour exploring this magnificent Chateau overlooking the River Loire. The history, architecture, royal bedrooms, period furniture, sketches and grand finely maintained gardens are quite evident.

Chapel of Saint – Hubert

On the fortification of the château was a chapel of Saint – Hubert, where Leonardo da Vinci was buried in 1519 after his death in the Castle while working for the Royal Castle for three years. 

Francois-I appointed Leonardo da Vinci as his first painter, architect and engineer. Charles VIII and Francois-I were interested in Italian art, and so the Italian architecture is visible in the architecture of the Castle. Walking from one room to the other, you can gain a glimpse of stunning gardens and astonishing River Loire. 

Suggestions – 

1. I suggest you must visit Château d’Amboise providing one of the exquisite pictorial landscapes in the Loire Valley. 
2. We had to keep our baby stroller at the entrance, and we visited the whole Castle and gardens with a baby carrier. I am not suggesting you not take the stroller, but make sure you keep the baby carrier along. This is just for your information, so you don’t be shocked when you are there. 
3. Look for some winter pictures of this place displayed on the winding corridor while exiting the Castle. The images with snow stacked on the trees and round-shaped bushes look mind-blowing and out of place. 

Château de Chenonceau

Diana – the mistress, Catherine- the wife and King Henry- The king.

One can make a movie out of their love, betrayal and life story. Chateau de Chenonceau is a stunning and one of the most visited Castle in Loire Valley situated over river Cher. Chenonceau built-in around the 15 century on the foundation of an old mill and was seized from Bohier’s son in 1535 by King Francis I of France for unpaid debts to the crown. After his death, King Henry II gifted the Château to his mistress Diane de Poitiers.

Diane de Poitiers commissioned an arched bridge over the river to join the Castle to the opposite bank of the river. She also supervised the extensive flower plantation, vegetable gardens and fruit trees in the gardens of the Chateau. After the death of King Henry II, Catherine de Medici (The wife of a king) forced Diane to leave the Castle. And she built a grand gallery over the bridge and added a new series of gardens. 

Interesting fact about the castle

The first time fireworks were displayed in France was during one of the parties in Chenonceau. She also added a few rooms and a library to the Castle.

That is a great story right there. There is much more history to this place, and I would love to write about it, but that will be too lengthy. 

Suggestions – 

1. The Castle is pretty and worth a visit. 
2. The Castle’s garden is vast and also has a little maze around the exit, which is not that hard to crack but nice to play with kids.
3. There is an excellent restaurant which looks nothing like a restaurant but a beautiful addition to the Castle. We saved some money by eating at the small food stand on the other side of the garden. 

Château de Chambord

Château de Chambord is massive and also one of the most visited in Loire Valley. By the time we reached here, it had started falling dark. And we were poorly tired soaking up most of the Castle’s story and history and architecture in the previous castles. Although we still wanted to learn about this grand Chateau, we preferred the outside view more. So this one we spent around one and a half hours in the extensive garden which is exemplary spending time and personally, we enjoyed the peripheral snapping the breathtaking views of the Chateau de Chambord. There are few restaurants before entering the Chateau where we enjoyed the french crepe and cappuccino in one of the restaurants after enjoying the spectacular views of the Castle. There were also some small stalls of things like homemade cheese, and some winter wear, woman designer accessories, etc. All were also quite interesting to have a look. I suggest you must visit this Beautiful Chateau while in Paris or Loire Valley.

Château de Blois

Most visitors end up touring Chateaux de Blois because it’s on the way to Chambord. We stopped by this place while coming back from Chambord. But it was closed because we reached quite late here. The city of Bloise is charming. We could spend one whole day here admiring the place, gardens, shops and restaurants. The picture of the town shows a portrait of Mona Lisa right in front when you drive into the city. If you go closer, to the image, you will find stairs in the middle of the town.

For Baby

At Chateau d’Amboise, baby Aanick was on the baby carrier while we were walking around the Châteaux. For his feeding, we did it in the restaurant outside the Castle Amboise, and we had some coffee. The restaurant also has a baby changing room, very convenient and clean.

At Château de Chenonceau, we could use our baby stroller around the Castle. And for his feeding, we easily could give him his bottle of milk. And he could sleep in his stroller. To change the baby diapers, we did it in the car, the visitor’s washroom didn’t have a changing table.

P.S – We bought one audio tour guide in both the castles, which was economical. We had our baby with us so one could listen to the history and information and inform the other. As one of us, we’re always busy taking care of the baby. 

So that’s how we also saved some money and gained knowledge for two of us.

We bought a Magnet from the tour station. Picture of Magnet with all the castles we visited.