The 7 Most Popular Châteaux to Visit in the Loire Valley

May 10, 2025

Just a few hours from Paris, the Loire Valley, a UNESCO-listed region, is often called le jardin de la France (the garden of France), but it might just as easily be called its storybook.

Here, among wildflower meadows and riverside villages, you’ll find hundreds of châteaux — from fairytale fortresses to refined Renaissance estates. While you could spend weeks exploring them all, here are seven of the most beloved and iconic.

Château de Chambord

Perhaps the most recognisable château in France, Chambord is a striking blend of medieval might and Renaissance elegance. Built as a royal hunting lodge for François I, it boasts 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces, and a famous double-helix staircase (rumoured to be influenced by Leonardo da Vinci). Surrounded by vast parklands, it’s as breathtaking outside as in.

📍 41 Chambord, 41250, Loir-et-Cher

Château de Chenonceau

Graceful, romantic, and built over the River Cher, Chenonceau is known as le château des dames for the powerful women who shaped its history. Its arches reflect in the water, its gardens bloom year-round, and its interiors — from Catherine de Medici’s bedroom to the grand gallery — are as exquisite as any palace.

📍 37150 Chenonceaux, Indre-et-Loire

Château de Villandry

Famous for its spectacular Renaissance gardens, Villandry is a place where symmetry meets serenity. Each garden “room” tells a story — love, music, or meditation — with clipped box hedges and colourful blooms. The château itself is lovely, but it’s the gardens that truly linger.

📍 3 Rue Principale, 37510 Villandry

Château d'Amboise

Set high above the Loire River, Amboise offers sweeping views and deep history. This was a favourite residence of Charles VIII and François I, and it’s where Leonardo da Vinci is buried, just steps away at the nearby Clos Lucé. It’s a place where art, royalty, and history converge.

📍 Montée de l’Emir Abd el Kader, 37400 Amboise

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Each château in the Loire Valley tells its own story — of architecture, history, and the quiet beauty of the French countryside.

Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire

Perched dramatically above the river, this turreted château is pure fairy tale from the outside — but it also has a contemporary heart. Each year, it hosts the Festival International des Jardins, with modern art installations woven into the historic grounds. A perfect mix of old and new.

📍 41150 Chaumont-sur-Loire, Loir-et-Cher

Château de Blois

This château is a living textbook of French architecture — Gothic, Renaissance, and Classical styles layered together. Once home to 7 kings and 10 queens, it’s full of royal drama, including the assassination of the Duke of Guise. The interiors are richly decorated and theatrically restored.

📍 6 Place du Château, 41000 Blois

Château d'Azay-le-Rideau

Set on an island in the Indre River, Azay-le-Rideau feels like a dream — its white stone reflected in still water, framed by forest and quiet. Smaller and more intimate than others, it’s beloved for its romantic setting and harmonious design.

📍 Rue de Pineau, 37190 Azay-le-Rideau

Final Thought

The Loire Valley is about the castles — but also the villages, vineyards, antique markets, and riverside picnics that make it unforgettable. Whether you visit one château or several, you’ll leave with the feeling that you’ve stepped into a wonderful moment in time.