You want to visit the most beautiful Loire Valley castles and you're wondering:

• What are the castles of the Loire to visit absolutely?
• How to visit the castles of the Loire?
• Where are the most beautiful Loire Valley castles?
• Which circuit to visit the castles of the Loire?

So, in this article you will find my selection of the 10 must-see Loire Valley castles as well as a map of the itinerary to visit them in 4 days, 5 days or more…

Where are the Loire Castles located?

The Loire Valley Castles are located in the Loire Valley which is a region spread over 4 departments: Maine et Loire, Indre et Loire, Loir et Cher and Loiret.

Very numerous since there are almost 3, they form the largest concentration in the world of this type of monuments built or renovated during the Renaissance.

Moreover, the Loire Valley is classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

When is the best time to visit the castles of the Loire?

The Loire Valley is a region of France that enjoys a mild, temperate climate. Whatever the season, the weather is ideal for visiting these castles.

However, the best time to visit the Châteaux of the Loire is spring, both to take advantage of the mild temperatures and to make the most of the flower gardens.

And, if there is a period to be avoided at all costs, it is summer because the castles are downright invaded by mass tourism!

Otherwise, in autumn or winter, the gardens will be less colorful but the visits will be quieter ...

How to visit the castles of the Loire?

Visit the Loire Valley Castles by train

Of course, you will not be able to visit all the castles of the Loire Valley by train, but towns like Tours, Blois, Angers, Saumur or Amboise are very well served by train from Paris.

Visit the Loire Valley Castles by car

The car is the most practical solution for touring the Loire Valley castles because it gives you the freedom to visit the castles you want, when you want and at your own pace.

In addition, the car also allows you to go sightseeing in some towns, to stop to explore the vineyards or a small local market ...

What are the castles of the Loire to visit absolutely?

Everyone asks this question when planning their tour or organizing their road trip.

As the majority of the many Loire Valley Castles are splendid, you have to choose to visit only the most beautiful and majestic.

Depending on the length of your stay in the Loire Valley , you can visit several sites, but no more than one or two per day. It's not advisable to schedule too many, as you need to allow enough time to fully enjoy each visit. Taking the time to stroll through the flower gardens is also a pleasure that you wouldn't want to miss because of an overly busy itinerary.

What are the most beautiful châteaux in the Loire?

Here is my list of the 10 most beautiful Loire Valley castles which (in my opinion) are must-sees:

• Royal castle of Amboise
• Chenonceau Castle
• Château de Cheverny
• Chambord Castle
• Beauregard Castle
• Blois Castle
• Villandry Castle
• Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau
• Rivau castle
• Castle of Brézé

NB: They are not listed in order of preference but in order of visit (see the map of my itinerary below).

Which castles to visit in 4 or 5 days?

For a 4 or 5 day tour , depending on your pace, you can visit all the must-see Loire Valley castles listed above.

Map of the unmissable Loire Valley castles

To visit the 10 most beautiful castles of the Loire Valley , here is a map of my itinerary of must-sees:

Click on "More options" in the map to follow the GPS

The 10 most beautiful châteaux of the Loire in 5 days

5-day tour - Royal Château d'Amboise

My tour starts in the town of Amboise where a first visit to a castle is a must: the Royal Château of Amboise . It was the Palace of the Kings of France during the Renaissance period but also the burial place of Leonardo da Vinci.

Chenonceau Castle - Day 1

This castle amazes visitors with the richness of the monument and its interior decoration.

During his visit, you will discover the different rooms, bedrooms and lounges associated with the stories of the time when women such as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis occupied it.

Cheverny Castle - Day 1

The Cheverny estate, a stately property for more than 6 centuries, is home to the first castle to have been opened to the public (in 1). You can visit the interior of the Castle but also enjoy the splendid Botanical Park of the domain.

To sleep close to the next stage of the circuit the following day, the ideal option would be to drive to the Domaine de Chambord and spend the night there!

Chambord Castle - Day 2

It is probably the most famous Loire Valley castle in the world ! It is a mandatory stop for all tour operators on tours in France.

It is the largest of all with quite impressive dimensions, its 426 rooms and 282 chimneys. It is also popular for its double spiral staircase and for the immense forest on its estate.

Beauregard Castle - Day 2

Château de Beauregard is aptly named! Visitors are amazed by the beauty of its architecture but also by its magnificent park.

After the visit, take the road to Blois where you will spend the night right next to the next day's stage, at the Castel de la Comtesse, just 1,5 km from the Château de Blois.

Blois Castle - Day 3

It was the favorite residence of 7 kings and 10 queens of France! 

For centuries, dramas, shenanigans and power games have animated this royal castle.

Château de Villandry - Day 3

The Château de Villandry is one of the last great Loire Valley châteaux to have been built during the Renaissance. Its understated elegance, combined with the charm of its magnificent gardens, makes it a site of exceptional beauty.

Still with the aim of being on site for the visit the next day, you will need to drive to Azay le Rideau to sleep 150 meters from the castle at the Grand Monarque hotel.

Château Azay-le-Rideau - Day 4

Built during the reign of François 1er, this castle has a very special charm. Indeed, it is highlighted because it is surrounded by the waters of the Indre (tributary of the Loire) which give a romantic atmosphere to this historic place.

Rivau Castle - Day 4

With its fortress, keep, moat and drawbridge, this castle has all the attractions of a medieval castle.

A few kilometers away on the road you can settle in for the night at Petit Hureau in a historical monument right next to Saumur.

Brézé Castle - Day 5

Listed as a Historical Monument, the Château de Brézé is a unique monument. Indeed, it houses an exceptional underground heritage, consisting of a gallery and numerous troglodytic cavities.

Which hotel to visit the Châteaux of the Loire?

If you only have to choose one hotel to be able to explore the surrounding area, you can choose it in Amboise , which is a fairly central city in relation to my must-see itinerary.

Hotel in Amboise

The hotel I recommend you below is perfect to enjoy a stay as if you were living in the XNUMXth century!

In fact, the Manoir Saint Thomas is a magnificent hotel, in a historic setting and ideally located in Amboise, a few steps from the castle…

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Which location to visit the Châteaux of the Loire?

For those looking for good accommodation for a stay in the heart of the Loire Valley castles , I have a good address to suggest:

This apartment with a garden and terrace is located in a beautiful holiday property with a swimming pool . This rental is ideal because it's inexpensive and situated in Azay-le-Rideau, right in the middle of my Loire Valley castle tour!

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Loire Valley castles in 5 days - Stopover hotels

But if you're travelling around and want to stay in hotels while following this route from my road trip, here are four hotels recommended for my 5-day circuit in addition to the one in Amboise:

Hotel in Chambord

Who wouldn't dream of spending a night in the heart of the Chambord estate?

The Relais de Chambord is a 4-star hotel in an exceptional setting! This hotel is the closest to the Château de Chambord and offers two excellent restaurants, a spa, a hammam, a sauna… In short, everything you need for a dream evening!

See this hotel on Booking

Hotel in Blois

Just 100 meters from Saint-Louis Cathedral and 1,5 km from the Royal Castle of Blois, the Countess's Castle is ideal for an overnight stop or for visiting Blois in 1 day.

More information about this hotel

Hotel in Azay le Rideau

In a former 18th-century coaching inn, 150 meters from the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, the Grand Monarque hotel enjoys an ideal location for the tourist stop on my 5-day tour.

More information about this hotel

Hotel in Saumur (near the Château de Brézé)

In a building with a small 15th century tower, your guest room awaits you for the last night of this tour around the unmissable Châteaux of the Loire.

More information about this hotel

Not enough days to see these 10 castles?

So here's my itinerary in 2 or 3 days

A cheap stay in a real castle?

Here is my selection of 5 inexpensive castle hotels.