On the Loire Valley castle route , do you want to visit Blois in 1 day? Then, here is my walking tour of Blois with a Google Maps map to follow using a pedestrian GPS.

Indeed, following a tourist circuit is ideal for visiting on foot all the emblematic sites of Blois such as its castle, its cathedral, its half-timbered houses and its cobbled streets.

And to enhance your visit to Blois, I also share my gourmet addresses and my advice for choosing a hotel in the most beautiful place in town.

Find out now how to visit Blois in 1 day by following the steps of my itinerary on foot.

^{_{Binche, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons}}

How long to visit Blois?

To visit Blois, it is necessary to plan a minimum day. Indeed, in 1 day, you will have time to visit all the must-see sites of the city.

But, if you go in March, I recommend taking the opportunity to discover the Blois Carnival and therefore staying there for 2 or 3 days.

How to visit Blois on foot?

The Blois Tourist Office offers a walking tour to visit Blois in one day: the Fleur-de-Lys Trail . Simply follow the streets marked with bronze studs bearing a fleur-de-lis to discover the Puits Châtel district with its beautiful private mansions and the Cathedral.

However, this itinerary, which does not include the castle, is not complete for visiting all the most beautiful sites in Blois. Indeed, to discover the castle, it is another circuit on foot that the Tourist Office offers: The “Porc-Epic” route. But combining 2 circuits of more than 2 km each in 1 day is not ideal.

This is why I suggest another circuit to do on foot which goes around all the emblematic sites of Blois.

What to visit in Blois in 1 day?

Visiting Blois in 1 day allows you to discover the most beautiful sites of the city on foot:

• Place Louis XII
• Rue du Puits Châtel
• Jacques Gabriel Bridge
• Saint-Nicolas Church
• The street of the 3 merchants
• The royal castle of Blois
• The house of magic
• The Denis Papin staircase
• Saint Louis Cathedral
• The gardens of the Old Bishop's Palace
• The Foundation of Doubt

Itinerary map to visit Blois on foot

To follow my tourist circuit of Blois, here is the Google Maps map that you can follow on foot:

How to visit Blois in 1 day?

Blois is a historical and cultural city which is not very extensive and therefore easy to visit on foot.

But to be sure not to miss anything, the best way to visit Blois in 1 day is to follow a complete tourist circuit. This is why I created this circuit which allows you to discover all the tourist sites of Blois in 1 day while walking quietly on foot.

In just one day, you can discover the best of Blois by following 4 main stops, each including must-see visits of the city:

We will start with the discovery of the historic old town of Blois, followed by a visit to the Château de Blois. Then we will walk along the Loire and visit the Maison de la Magie. We will also discover the Saint-Nicolas cathedral and the bishop's garden, and we will make gourmet stops in the best restaurants and cafés in Blois.

Stage 1: The historic old town of Blois

My tour begins in the old town of Blois, where we'll explore the picturesque streets and half-timbered houses. We start at Place Louis XII , which was once the heart of the town. The square is surrounded by half-timbered houses, some dating back to the 15th century. In the square, you can also see a statue of Louis XII , who was King of France from 1498 to 1515.

From the square, we head towards Rue du Puits Châtel , one of the most picturesque streets in Blois. The street is lined with half-timbered houses and shops, and it leads to Saint-Louis Cathedral.

Next, you can go and admire the Jacques Gabriel bridge which was built in the 18th century by Jacques Gabriel, the architect of King Louis XIV.

^{_{Wmeinhart (talk contribs), CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons}}

Then my tour continues to the Church of Saint-Nicolas , a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built between the 12th and 13th centuries, it is an unmissable monument in Blois.

Then, head towards Rue des Trois Marchands , another picturesque street in Blois. The street is lined with half-timbered houses and pretty little shops.

Stage 2: Visit of the Château de Blois

My walking tour of Blois now takes us to the Château de Blois , one of the city's most popular attractions. Built in the 15th century, it was the residence of several French kings and queens. The château sits atop a hill overlooking the city, offering breathtaking views of Blois.

The visit of the castle includes the discovery of the inner courtyard, the spiral staircases, the historic rooms, the galleries and the royal apartments. You can also visit the Saint-Calais chapel, which is one of the oldest in France.

^{_{No machine-readable author provided. Stevage assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 2.5 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5, via Wikimedia Commons}}

If you stay a few days in Blois, you will have the opportunity to attend a sound and light show which takes place in the courtyard of the castle.

Step 3: House of Magic and Denis-Papin staircase

After visiting the castle, we walk along the Loire River, where we can enjoy the views of the river and the city. We then head to the House of Magic , a museum dedicated to the art of magic. The museum is located in a historic house and offers interactive exhibits on the history of magic.

The museum is also known for its magic show, which is presented several times a day. The show is very popular, and it is recommended to book in advance. After visiting the House of Magic, we continue towards the famous Denis Papin Staircase.

This staircase connects the upper town to the lower town of Blois. The statue of Denis Papin is there at the very top in homage to a French physicist, mathematician and inventor born in Blois.

Stage 4: Saint-Louis Cathedral and gardens of the former bishopric

The next stop on my one-day Blois itinerary is Saint-Louis Cathedral , built in the 12th century and renowned for its magnificent Gothic architecture. Inside, you can admire stunning stained-glass windows and a sculpture of the Virgin Mary.

^{_{Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons}}

Then we head to the Jardin de l'Ancien Evêché which is a public garden located near the cathedral. This superb botanical garden offers a breathtaking view of the Loire.

And if you still have some time left, you can visit the Fondation du Doute which is the contemporary art museum of Blois.

Visit Blois in 1 day – Which restaurant?

Finally, we end our circuit with a few gourmet stops in the best restaurants and cafés in Blois.

Indeed, the town is known for its traditional cuisine, including Chavignol goat cheese, tarte Tatin and Loire wine.

One of the best places to have lunch or dinner in Blois is Le Castelet. This cozy restaurant serves some of the best French cuisine in town. The chef is renowned for his attention to detail and his use of fresh, local ingredients.

For a more modern kitchen, I recommend the Petit Vatel. This trendy restaurant offers a unique and revisited version of classic French dishes. Among the most popular dishes are duck confit and risotto with scallops.

And, if you fancy a quick and easy meal, La Petite Venise is a great option. This charming little cafe serves some of the best sandwiches and salads in Blois. In addition, it is ideally located in the heart of the city, which allows you to fill up on energy at noon to continue my circuit to visit Blois in 1 day!

What to see around Blois?

If you're planning a trip to the charming city of Blois, you absolutely must visit the splendid city of Tours and some of the most beautiful Loire Valley châteaux . In fact, most of them are located less than an hour's drive from Blois.

Here are some of the main castles you can explore on your next trip to Blois:

• The first is the Chambord Castle, located just 20 minutes drive from Blois. This iconic castle is a masterpiece of French Renaissance architecture, with over 400 rooms and an impressive double helix staircase said to have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci himself! The extensive castle grounds are also home to beautiful forest and a variety of wildlife.
• Then go to Cheverny castle, which is a 30-minute drive from Blois. This elegant castle is known for the beauty of its gardens and interiors, as well as having inspired Captain Haddock's Marlinspike Hall in the famous Tintin comic strip. You can take a tour of the castle, learn about its fascinating history and even watch a daily dog ​​feeding show!
• Another must-visit castle near Blois is the Chenonceau Castle, which is just under an hour's drive away. This stunning chateau spans the River Cher and has beautiful gardens, a grand ballroom and even its own chapel. It has belonged to a number of famous women throughout history, including Catherine de' Medici and Diane de Poitiers, and has played an important role in French history.

Which hotel to visit Blois on foot?

Here is the hotel I recommend for visiting Blois on foot: the Castel de la Comtesse.

Indeed, it is located in the historic center of Blois, just 100 meters from Saint-Louis Cathedral and 1,5 km from the Royal Castle.