The château and old town
Stay close to the Château Royal, Maison de la Magie, restaurants and the most atmospheric streets.
Choose this area for history, atmosphere and a central location.
Loire Valley · Châteaux, history and royal heritage
France travel guide
Blois
A royal château, steep old-town streets, magic and the Loire – set between Chambord, Cheverny and some of France’s most celebrated cultural landscapes.
Blois rises above the Loire on a hillside, with a compact historic centre of Renaissance houses, stairways, little squares and views towards the Jacques-Gabriel bridge. The Château Royal de Blois is the city’s natural focal point, bringing together several centuries of French architecture and royal history.
The city also makes an excellent base for châteaux, wine, cycling and day trips across the Loire Valley.
Château RoyalOld town and magicChambord and the Loire
Best forChâteaux, history, architecture and the atmosphere of the Loire
Ideal forLong weekends, couples, families and touring holidays
Easy to exploreThe centre is compact, but has hills and many stairways
A good baseChambord, Cheverny, Chaumont-sur-Loire and Sologne
Highlights
Find tours and activities in Blois
Discover Blois
Begin at the Château Royal, then continue through the old town to Maison de la Magie, the Denis-Papin staircase and the contemporary art scene around Fondation du doute.
Maison de la Magie
Discover illusions, the story of Robert-Houdin and family-friendly performances directly opposite the château.
The Denis-Papin staircase
See the monumental staircase and its changing artworks linking the upper and lower town.
Fondation du doute
Encounter Fluxus, Ben Vautier and contemporary art at one of the city’s most unexpected cultural venues.
The Loire, the bridge and cycling routes
Cross the Jacques-Gabriel bridge and follow Loire à Vélo towards châteaux, villages and forests.
Suggested itineraries
Blois in 1, 3 or 5 days
Choose the length of your stay and follow an itinerary combining the city, the Loire and the most rewarding nearby châteaux.
A royal day in Blois
There is time for the château, the old town and the Loire without making the day feel rushed.
MorningBegin at the Château Royal before crossing the square to Maison de la Magie.
Late morningFollow the old-town streets through Puits-Châtel towards Cathédrale Saint-Louis.
AfternoonVisit the Denis-Papin staircase, Fondation du doute or the Musée des Beaux-Arts inside the château.
EveningDine in the centre and finish with views across the Loire and the Jacques-Gabriel bridge.
Three days in Blois and the Loire châteaux
A long weekend allows time for the city and two classic château days.
Day 1Château Royal, Maison de la Magie, the old town, the cathedral and the Loire.
Day 2Chambord and Cheverny, perhaps combined with lunch in a village or a wine tasting.
Day 3Chaumont-sur-Loire, its gardens and a gentler afternoon beside the river.
Extra tipBook popular châteaux and sound-and-light shows well ahead during the high season.
Five days of châteaux, wine and cycling
With five days, Blois can be your permanent base for a varied mix of culture, nature and gastronomy.
Day 1Central Blois, the Château Royal, the magic museum and the old town.
Day 2Chambord and the wooded landscape surrounding the great royal château.
Day 3Cheverny, Beauregard or the vineyards of Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny.
Days 4–5Chaumont-sur-Loire, Loire à Vélo and perhaps a day trip to Amboise or Orléans.
Choose the right area
Where to stay in Blois
Choose your area according to whether you prefer château views, old-town streets, convenient rail connections or quieter surroundings beside the Loire.
Blois-Chambord station
Convenient for trains, organised tours and quick access to the château via Avenue Gambetta.
A good choice without a car and for shorter stays.Denis-Papin and the upper centre
Cafés, shopping, art and views towards the Loire from the upper streets.
A good option for a more local city atmosphere.The cathedral quarter
Saint-Louis, Puits-Châtel and quiet historic streets east of the main centre.
A lovely area for couples and culture lovers.Vienne and the south bank
River views, easier road access and convenient links to cycling routes and Fleur de Loire.
Best for quieter surroundings and travellers with a car.
Selected places to stay
Hotels in Blois
We have selected three hotels in different categories to help you find the right option for your trip. View the full hotel selection or use the map to compare locations and distances from the château and old town.
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The map shows our selected hotels in Blois. Select a marker to see a photograph and further details.
Camping and motorhomes
Camping in and around Blois
The map shows campsites with their own websites near Blois. The closest options are prioritised, making it easy to combine the city with the Loire, Chambord, Cheverny and the cycling routes.
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The landscape around the city
The Loire, cycling and nature around Blois
Châteaux à Vélo
Follow signposted cycling loops from Blois towards Chambord, Cheverny and the villages of Loir-et-Cher.
The Loire and Vienne
Cross the Jacques-Gabriel bridge, walk beside the river and explore the historic south bank.
Sologne and the forest of Chambord
Combine château visits with forest roads, wildlife, lakes and peaceful villages south-east of the city.
Gastronomy
Dining in Blois
Blois combines ambitious gastronomy with bistros, local wine and restaurants beside the Loire. Here are eight recommended addresses.
Christophe Hay
Exceptional gastronomy at Fleur de Loire, firmly rooted in the river, Sologne and local produce.
AssaFrench-Japanese fine dining centred on vegetables, local produce and precise flavours.
Amour BlancAn elegant yet more informal restaurant at Fleur de Loire, with views and dishes inspired by the region.
La TrouvailleA gourmet bistro serving local produce, with a strong wine selection and a terrace overlooking historic Blois.
1846Home-made bistro cooking with seasonal ingredients in a modern setting beside the railway station.
L’EmbarcadèreTraditional seasonal cooking with panoramic views of the Loire from the south bank.
Restaurant le QuaiFrench cooking on Quai Saint-Jean, using fresh produce and menus shaped by the seasons.
Bouillon Chez LucetteA relaxed French brasserie serving classic dishes in an informal atmosphere.
Châteaux and the Loire Valley
Four rewarding day trips from Blois
Blois lies among some of the Loire Valley’s best-known châteaux. A car gives the greatest freedom, although several can also be reached by bicycle, organised tour or seasonal transport.
A short trip east
Chambord
Discover monumental Renaissance architecture, the celebrated staircase and the vast surrounding forest estate.
Best for: architecture, history and grand landscapes Château and interiorsCheverny
Explore a lived-in, richly furnished château, its gardens and exhibitions in a classic Loire landscape.
Best for: interiors, families and gardens Art and gardensChaumont-sur-Loire
Combine the château with contemporary art and the International Garden Festival overlooking the Loire.
Best for: art, gardens and views A full day to the westAmboise and Clos Lucé
Discover royal history, Leonardo da Vinci and a lively small town beside the Loire.
Best for: the Renaissance and town life
Explore further
More to discover from Blois
Use Blois as a base for the châteaux, cycling routes and cultural landscapes along the Loire.
Regional guide
Discover the Loire Valley
Continue to châteaux, vineyards, villages, cycling routes and some of France’s most beautiful cultural landscapes.
Read our Loire Valley guide →
Essential overview
Châteaux in France
Find inspiration for Chambord, Cheverny, Blois and other historic châteaux, fortresses and palaces.
Read our château guide →
Active holidays
Cycling along the Loire
Follow the river, château routes and quiet country lanes from Blois towards Chambord and the rest of the valley.
Discover beautiful cycling routes →
Read more
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