Visit The Chateaux Of The Loire Valley In One Day

Last Updated on June 3, 2024 by Roslin Dwivedi

If you are in Paris, you must make plans to explore Loire Valley,  Firstly, it’s famous for its fairytale like castles. These castles are architectural masterpieces reflect the grandeur of French Renaissance and medieval architecture.

Secondly, the Loire Valley is one of France’s premier wine regions, known for producing high-quality wines. The region’s vineyards stretch along the Loire River.

Thirdly, often referred as the “Garden of France” due to its lush landscapes, fertile plains, and picturesque riverbanks, the Loire Valley’s natural beauty makes it a popular destination for cycling, hiking, and river cruises.

The valley is dotted with charming towns and villages such as Amboise, Blois, Tours, and Saumur. These towns are rich in history and offer quaint streets, vibrant markets, and historical sites.

The Loire Valley has a rich cultural history, being a center of art and literature during the Renaissance. The area was favored by French royalty, and many châteaux served as royal residences. UNESCO designated the central part of the Loire River valley as a World Heritage Site in 2000, recognizing its historical and cultural significance.

The region is known for its beautiful gardens, often found within the grounds of the châteaux. Notable gardens include those at Château de Villandry, famous for its Renaissance gardens, and Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, which hosts an international garden festival each year.

Finally Loire Valley is also famous for its cuisine. It is celebrated for its fresh and locally sourced ingredients. The region is famous for its goat cheeses, particularly Crottin de Chavignol, as well as its freshwater fish, charcuterie, and orchard fruits.

While you are on your Loire Valley visit, you must already decide which Chateaux you would like to visit first. Keeping the time in count we managed to visit at least two castles entirely, inside-out with its grand gardens and two Chateaux from outside as we were late for the last visiting hours. 

Choosing Loire Valley as one of our vacation stops in France was a great suggestion came from our friends. 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 interior city of France after visiting Paris.

Also Read: 12 Things to do in Paris – An ultimate 5 days itinerary for your Paris trip.

How many days you need in Loire Valley 

I advise you to take at least 3 to 5-day trip. This duration allows you to visit key châteaux like Chambord, Chenonceau and Amboise. Also let’s you explore close cities to Loire Valley like Tours and Blois, their beautiful landscapes, the markets, cafes, the houses and astonishing river. In 3 to 5 days you can smoothly explore the region’s renowned vineyards and gardens without feeling rushed.

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What is the best time to visit Loire Valley

The best time to visit the Loire Valley in France is from late spring to early fall, specifically between May and October. This period offers the most favorable weather, with mild temperatures and longer daylight hours, ideal for exploring the region’s famous châteaux, vineyards, and gardens. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect during these months:

May to June: Springtime brings blooming gardens and pleasant weather, with temperatures ranging from 12°C to 22°C (54°F to 72°F). Tourist crowds are relatively low compared to peak summer months, making it a great time for a more peaceful visit.

July to August: Summer is the peak tourist season, with warm temperatures averaging between 15°C and 26°C (59°F to 79°F). This is an excellent time for outdoor activities and festivals, but popular sites can be crowded. Early booking for accommodations and attractions is recommended.

September to October: Early autumn is another excellent time to visit, with cooler temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F) and the added bonus of harvest season in the vineyards. The changing colors of the foliage add to the region’s charm, and the crowds are generally thinner than in the summer.

Each season has its own unique appeal, but overall, late spring and early fall provide the best combination of good weather and fewer tourists.

Visit The Chateaux Of The Loire Valley In One Day

Château d’Amboise

The journey through the Loire Valley began in Tours, France, navigating highways, narrow roads, and a bridge over the River Loire.

We arrived at Château d’Amboise, where we stood in line to purchase tickets. The kind staff, along with our baby, made the process smooth and easy.

Once inside the château, we were captivated by its beauty and surroundings. We spent about an hour exploring this magnificent castle overlooking the River Loire, marveling at the history, architecture, royal bedrooms, period furniture, sketches, and meticulously maintained gardens.

On the château’s fortification is the Chapel of Saint-Hubert, where Leonardo da Vinci was buried in 1519 after working for three years at the royal court.

King François-I had appointed him as his first painter, architect, and engineer. Both Charles VIII and François-I were admirers of Italian art, evident in the château’s architectural details.

As you walk from room to room, you are treated to stunning views of the gardens and the breathtaking River Loire.

Tips to visit Château d’Amboise

1. Prepare for Stunning Views: The château offers some of the most picturesque landscapes in the Loire Valley.
2. Baby Carrier Suggestion: You’ll need to leave your stroller at the entrance. Bring a baby carrier to comfortably explore the castle and gardens.
3. Winter Photography Display: Check out the winter pictures displayed in the winding corridor as you exit. The images of snow-covered trees and round-shaped bushes are breathtaking.
4. Purchase Tickets Early: Arrive early to avoid long queues, especially during peak tourist seasons.
5. Explore the Chapel of Saint-Hubert: Visit the chapel where Leonardo da Vinci is buried, adding a rich historical aspect to your visit.
6. Learn About the Architecture: Notice the Italian influences in the castle’s design, attributed to Charles VIII and François I’s admiration for Italian art.
7. Plan for Time: Allocate at least an hour to fully explore the château, its gardens, and the surrounding views of the River Loire.

Château de Chenonceau

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

Their love, betrayal, and life story could make a captivating movie. Château de Chenonceau, a stunning and popular castle in the Loire Valley, is situated over the River Cher. Built around the 15th century on the foundation of an old mill, it 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 commissioned an arched bridge over the river to connect the castle to the opposite bank and oversaw the planting of extensive flower beds, vegetable gardens, and fruit trees.

Upon King Henry-II’s death, his wife, Catherine de Medici, forced Diane to leave the château. Catherine then built a grand gallery over the bridge and added a new series of gardens.

An interesting fact about the château is that the first fireworks display in France took place during one of the parties at Chenonceau. Catherine also added several rooms and a library to the castle.

The rich history of Château de Chenonceau is truly fascinating. There is so much more to tell, but it would take pages to cover it all.

Tips to visit Château de Chenonceau

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 a massive and highly visited landmark in the Loire Valley. By the time we arrived, it was getting dark, and we were quite tired from absorbing the stories, history, and architecture of the previous castles we visited. Although eager to learn more about this grand château, we decided to focus on its exterior.

We spent about an hour and a half in the extensive gardens, which were a delightful way to spend our time. We particularly enjoyed snapping photos of the breathtaking views of Château de Chambord from the periphery. Before entering the château, we stopped at a few nearby restaurants to savor French crepes and cappuccinos.

Additionally, there were small stalls selling homemade cheese, winter wear, and women’s designer accessories, which were interesting to browse. I highly recommend visiting this beautiful château when you are in Paris or the Loire Valley.

Château de Blois

Most visitors tour Château de Blois as it is conveniently located on the way to Chambord. We stopped by on our way back from Chambord but unfortunately found it closed since we arrived quite late.

Despite this, we found the city of Blois to be incredibly charming. It’s a place where you could easily spend an entire day admiring the historical buildings, beautiful gardens, quaint shops, and delightful restaurants.

One notable feature of Blois is a large portrait of the Mona Lisa displayed prominently as you drive into the city. Upon closer inspection, you will find stairs in the middle of town, adding a unique and artistic touch to the city’s landscape.

The combination of its historical significance and modern charm makes Blois a must-visit location in the Loire Valley

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For Baby

At Chateau d’Amboise, baby A 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. One could listen to the information and tell the other. As one of us, we’re always busy attending to our baby. 

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

We bought a Magnet from the Tour’s station. Picture of Magnet with all the castles we visited.