17 Top Things to Do
Loire Valley Overall Appeal ★★★★★
| Name | Appeal | Type | Visit | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Château de Chambord | ★★★★★ | Castle | Either | Paid |
| 02 | Château de Chenonceau | ★★★★★ | Castle & Garden | Either | Paid |
| 03 | Château de Villandry | ★★★★★ | Castle & Garden | Either | Paid |
| 04 | ➡️ Amboise | ★★★★★ | Town | - | - |
| 05 | Vineyards | ★★★★★ | Vineyards & Tastings | Tour | Paid |
| 06 | Balloon | ★★★★★ | Flight | Tour | Paid |
| 07 | Sidecar | ★★★★★ | Sidecar Excursion | Tour | Paid |
| 08 | Biking | ★★★★☆ | Biking | Self | Free |
| 09 | ➡️ Blois | ★★★★☆ | Town | - | - |
| 10 | Château de Chaumont | ★★★★☆ | Castle & Garden | Either | Paid |
| 11 | ➡️ Tours | ★★★☆☆ | City | - | - |
| 12 | Château de Cheverny | ★★★☆☆ | Castle & Garden | Either | Paid |
| 13 | ➡️ Loches | ★★★☆☆ | Town | - | - |
| 14 | ➡️ Azay-le-Rideau | ★★★☆☆ | Village | - | - |
| 15 | ➡️ Langeais | ★★★☆☆ | Town | - | - |
| 16 | Fontevraud Abbey | ★★★☆☆ | Abbey | Self | Paid |
| 17 | Château de Brissac | ★★★☆☆ | Castle & Park | Self | Paid |
01. Chambord Castle
Appeal ★★★★★
Type Castle
Visit Self or Tour
Cost Paid
The Château de Chambord is an architectural marvel located in the heart of the Loire Valley. This Renaissance-style castle from the 16th century represents the height of French style.
Inside, the double-helix staircase, designed by Leonardo da Vinci, is a highlight.
Outside, the castle is adorned with 800 sculpted columns and towers.
The rooftop, with its many chimneys and spires, offers nice views.
The grounds surrounding the castle include a 13,000-acre forest, one of Europe’s largest enclosed parks.
02. Chenonceau Castle & Gardens
Appeal ★★★★★
Type Castle & Gardens
Visit Self or Tour
Cost Paid
Château de Chenonceau, a Renaissance-style castle from the 16th century, famously spans the River Cher and is known as the “Ladies’ Castle” due to its history of influential female owners. It also includes elegant galleries over the river.
The beautifully designed French-style gardens are also a major attraction at the site.
03. Villandry Castle & Gardens
Appeal ★★★★★
Type Castle & Gardens
Visit Self or Tour
Cost Paid
Château de Villandry is renowned for its 16th-century Renaissance-style castle, but it is most famous for its exquisite French-style flower and vegetable gardens, which were primarily created during the 20th-century restoration by the Carvallo family, a Spanish-American couple.
04. Amboise Town
Overall Appeal ★★★★★
Amboise is a picturesque town situated on the banks of the Loire River. It is known for its charming medieval streets and historic significance.
Amboise played a crucial role in the French Renaissance, serving as a royal residence in the 15th and 16th centuries.
The town was also the final home of Leonardo da Vinci.
The pedestrian-friendly old town is filled with quaint shops, cafes, and half-timbered houses.
05. Loire Valley Vineyards
Appeal ★★★★★
Type Vineyards & Tastings
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
The Loire Valley vineyards are famed for producing some of France’s best wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Cabernet Franc. Visitors can tour historic wine cellars, participate in tastings, and learn about winemaking traditions. The scenic vineyards also offer picturesque views of the rolling landscape.
06. Balloon
Appeal ★★★★★
Type Flight
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
Hot air balloon rides over the Loire Valley give you stunning views of the castles, vineyards, and rivers. These peaceful flights offer a unique way to see the region’s natural beauty.
07. Sidecar
Appeal ★★★★★
Type Sidecar Excursion
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
Exploring the Loire Valley in a vintage sidecar is a fun and exciting adventure. These guided tours let you visit the castles, villages, and the countryside.
08. Biking
Appeal ★★★★☆
Type Biking
Visit Self
Cost Free
Biking through the Loire Valley is a popular way to explore its countryside, especially the Loire river banks. The region is flat and offers well-marked trails suitable for all levels of cyclists.
09. Blois Town
Overall Appeal ★★★★★☆☆☆☆
Blois is a vibrant town with a rich history, located along the Loire River. It is renowned for its Castle, its cultural heritage, lively atmosphere, and beautiful architecture.
10. Chaumont Castle & Gardens
Appeal ★★★★☆
Type Castle & Gardens
Visit Self or Tour
Cost Paid
Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire hosts the International Garden Festival from spring to automn, showing off innovative garden designs.
The castle offers great views of the Loire River and features contemporary art installations. Its historic stables and landscaped park are also worth seeing.
11. Tours City
Overall Appeal ★★★☆☆
Tours is a vibrant city known for its well-preserved old town, with half-timbered houses and lively squares. The city’s Saint-Gatien Cathedral features stunning Gothic architecture. Tours serves as a cultural hub with museums, markets, and a rich culinary scene.
12. Cheverny Castle
Appeal ★★★★☆
Type Castle & Gardens
Visit Self
Cost Paid
Cheverny Castle is a grand château known for its well-preserved Renaissance architecture and expansive gardens. It offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of French aristocracy.
Historically, the castle has been owned by the same family for over six centuries and has been continuously inhabited. prestige.
One of the ways to explore the vast park is by taking a guided tour with rides on electric boats and cars.
13. Loches Town
Overall Appeal ★★★☆☆
The medieval town of Loches is dominated by its royal château and a well-preserved dungeon.
The town’s cobbled streets and historic buildings give a charming glimpse into its past.
14. Langeais Town
Overall Appeal ★★★☆☆
Langeais is a historic town situated on the edge of the Loire River. It has medieval heritage including a main castle and charming atmosphere. Its streets are lined with stone houses and inviting shops.
15. Azay-le-Rideau Town
Overall Appeal ★★★☆☆
Azay-le-Rideau is a quaint town nestled along the Indre River. It is known for its serene ambiance and charming rural scenery.
The town developed around the château in the 16th century. It was a quiet agricultural village for centuries, maintaining its rural character. The construction of the château brought some prosperity and growth.
16. Fontevraud Abbey
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Abbey
Visit Self
Cost Paid
Fontevraud Abbey is one of Europe’s largest monastic complexes, with a history dating back to the 12th century. It’s a royal necropolis with the tombs of notable Plantagenets.
17. Brissac Castle
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Castle & Park
Visit Self
Cost Paid
The Château de Brissac, known as the tallest castle in France, is a blend of medieval and Renaissance architecture, offering a captivating view of its seven-story facade.
Originally built as a fortress in the 11th century, the château was acquired by the Brissac family in the 16th century, who transformed it into a luxurious residence and have continued to maintain it to this day.
