Advice

Let’s take a quick pause to tell you about some of the many other sights around Blois that aren’t part of this itinerary but are well worth discovering if you have the time. First, Chambord—the ultimate Renaissance masterpiece, famous for its double-helix staircase and vast forested estate. Then Cheverny, a château still lived in today, renowned for its elegant interiors and its link to Tintin. More discreet but just as charming, other castles nearby deserve a visit too: Beauregard with its portrait gallery, Chaumont-sur-Loire with its world-class garden festival, Talcy with its poets, or Fougères-sur-Bièvre, a true medieval fortress. Amboise adds to this royal lineup with its château overlooking the Loire, while the Clos Lucé next door invites you into the world of Leonardo da Vinci. Chenonceau, known as the “Château of the Ladies,” enchants with its graceful arches spanning the Cher, while Villandry is world-famous for its dazzling geometric gardens. But the region around Blois isn’t only about châteaux. The National Stud Farm shares the story of French horsemanship in its 19th-century stables. The vast Russy Forest offers a breath of fresh air among deer and roe deer. In Vineuil, the Abbey of La Guiche preserves remarkable Benedictine remains. And for something a little more unusual, the petrifying caves of Savonnières reveal the curious power of water that can turn objects into stone. Between grand heritage and surprising natural wonders, the only real question is: where will you begin? One thing’s for sure—you won’t run out of things to do if you spend more time exploring the Blois region.