Things to do in  Loire Valley

A scenic hub from which to discover the UNESCO-listed Châteaux of the Loire Valley, historic Amboise is also well worth exploring. The market town was once frequented by the likes of Leonardo da Vinci and Joan of Arc, and is best known for its own castle—the Château d’Amboise, former home of King Francis I.

The largest and most-visited castle among the 300 found in the Loire Valley, Château de Chambord is a grandiose example of French Renaissance architecture. Commissioned by King Francis I in 1519, and part of the region’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 426-room castle includes a moat and French formal garden.

The Château de Chenonceau is France’s second-most-visited castle (after Versaille). The 16th-century UNESCO-listed castle is built over the Cher river, on top of a series of bridge-like arches, and looks like the scene of a fairy tail. The building is also famous for its relationship with the many powerful women who designed and owned it.

Situated overlooking the city of Amboise and one of hundreds of UNESCO-listed Châteaux of the Loire, the grand Château d’Amboise was home to French royalty from the 15th–19th centuries. Built in the Gothic and Renaissance styles in the late 15th century, the hilltop castle is accessible on foot, and just over an hour from Paris by train.

The Château de Cheverny is one of the more popular castles in the Loire Valley. Inhabited by the same family for over six centuries, this castle is of particular interest if you’re curious about what it’s like to live in a castle—dog lovers may also appreciate that there are around 100 canines that call these grounds home.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of Christian pilgrimage trails, Chartres Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres) is hailed as one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in France. As well as boasting panoramic city views from its Bell Tower, the cathedral is home to more than 4,000 sculptures.

Perched on the northern edge of the Loire Valley, the historic cathedral city of Chartres makes a popular day trip from Paris. Chartres’ most noteworthy attraction is its UNESCO World Heritage-listed cathedral, and most visitors make a beeline for the Gothic masterpiece, renowned for its magnificent 12th- and 13th-century stained glass windows.

The Château d’Amboise isn’t the only castle worth exploring in Amboise. Though smaller, the nearby Château du Clos Lucé enjoys an outsize reputation, thanks to its famous former resident: Leonardo da Vinci lived his last years here before his death in 1519. Today, the castle showcases exhibitions dedicated to the artist and inventor.

With more than 800 species housed across 100 acres (45 hectares), Beauval Zoo (ZooParc de Beauval) is one of France’s premier zoos. Learn about biodiversity and conservation as you explore the Equatorial Dome; stroll the Great South American Aviary skyway; and observe animals from above in glass-floored gondolas.

Mirrored by the waters of the Indre River, the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau is known by insiders as one of the loveliest spots around the Loire Valley. But this French Renaissance castle with its turreted towers and honeyed walls isn’t just a pretty face. Inside, 19th-century drawing rooms, tapestries, and an art collection provide a rich experience for visitors.

A highlight among the Loire Valley’s hundreds of UNESCO-listed castles, the Château de Villandry is renowned for its Renaissance architecture and its exceptional classical gardens. Built by Jean Le Breton, Minister of Finance for King Francis I in the 1530s, the site today is a riverside highlight for history buffs and nature lovers.

The exteriors of the castle are impressive in and of themselves, with four wings surrounding an interior courtyard. Inside, you'll find royal apartments spread across two floors, including the royal chambers of numerous erstwhile monarchs—Catherine de Medici is believed to have died in the Queen's Chamber. Nine rooms of the Louis XII Wing have served as a fine arts museum since the 19th-century. Single and multi-day Loire Valley tours, most of which depart from Paris, tend to make stops at Château de Blois.

Château de Langeais is one of the Loire Valley's most interactive castles. Far from being just a remnant of the past, the interior features faithful recreations of not only the furniture and art that were once found in the rooms, but also period-correct lighting and even mannequins in period dress.

Built on a rocky promontory overlooking the Maine River, the Château d’Angers makes a powerful first impression. A sprawling medieval defensive castle featuring 17 towers, moats, and gardens, the 13th-century château is also home to the famed Apocalypse Tapestry. It’s been a French National Monument since 1875.

Considered one of Nantes’ most important landmarks, the Château des Ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany) has been a listed Historic Monument since 1862. Built by the last Duke of Brittany, François II, in the late 15th century, the castle is now home to the Museum of the History of Nantes (Musée d’Histoire de Nantes).