Unmissable Loire castles + 5-day circuit itinerary map

You want to visit the most beautiful Châteaux of the Loire and you ask yourself:

• 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, you will find in this article my selection of 10 unmissable Loire châteaux as well as the map of the itinerary to visit them in 4 days or in 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 which benefits from a fairly mild temperate climate. Whatever the season, the climate is not unfavorable 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 such as 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 to make a circuit around of the Loire Valley Castles because it is the freedom to visit the castles that you want, when you want and at the pace you want.

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 Loire Valley, you can visit several but not more than 1 or 2 per day. Indeed, it is not advisable to schedule too many because you have to keep enough time to fully enjoy the visits. Especially since taking the time to stroll in the flower gardens is also a pleasure that it would be a shame to miss out on because of an overly busy schedule ...

What are the most beautiful châteaux in the Loire?

here is my list of the 10 most beautiful castles of the Loire which (in my opinion) are essential:

• 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 4 or 5 day tour, at your own pace, you can visit all the essentials of the Loire châteaux listed above.

Map of the unmissable Loire Valley castles

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

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 from the city of Amboise where a first visit to the castle is essential: the royal castle 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 next day, the ideal will be to drive until Domain of Chambord and spend the night there!

Chambord Castle - Day 2

It probably is the most famous Loire castle in the whole world ! It is the compulsory stopover for all tour operators of the 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 next to the next day's stage, at Castel of the Countess just 1,5 km from the castle of 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

Le Villandry Castle is one of the last great Loire Valley châteaux to have been erected during the Renaissance in the Loire Valley. Its sober elegance combined with the charm of its magnificent gardens make it a site of exceptional beauty.

Always in order to be there for the next day's visit, you will have to drive to Azay the curtain to sleep 150 meters from the castle at the hotel Grand Monarch.

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 of road and you can settle in for the night at the Little Hureau in a historic monument right next to Saumur.

Brézé Castle - Day 5

Classified as a Historic Monument, the Brézé castle is a unique monument. Indeed, it shelters an exceptional underground heritage, composed of a gallery and multiple troglodyte cavities.

Which hotel to visit the Châteaux of the Loire?

If you only have to choose one hotel to be able to radiate all around, you can choose it from Amboise which is a fairly central city compared to my must-see tour.

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 Saint Thomas Manor 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 a good plan accommodation for a stay in the heart of the Loire Castles, I have a good address to offer them:

It is an apartment with a garden and a terrace is in a beautiful holiday property with swimming pools. This rental is ideal because it is not expensive and is located Azay The Curtain in the middle of my tour of the must-see Châteaux de la Loire !!!

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Loire Valley castles in 5 days - Stopover hotels

But if you are traveling and want stopover hotels by following this route of my road-trp, here are four recommended hotels for my 5 days tour in addition to that of Amboise:

Hotel in Chambord

Who wouldn't dream of being able to spend a night in the heart of domain of Chambord ?

Le Relais de Chambord is a 4 * hotel located in an exceptional setting! This hotel will be the closest to the Château de Chambord and will offer you two good restaurants, a spa, a hammam, a sauna… In short, everything you need to enjoy 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 Castel of the Countess is ideal for a one-night stopover or for visit 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 hotel Grand Monarch benefits from an ideal location for the tourist stopover of 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 is my 2 or 3 day tour

A cheap stay in a real castle?

Here is my selection of 5 cheap castle hotels.