Blois

Visit Blois, Loire Valley

Blois is found between Tours and Orleans, in the Loire Valley. The main reason that people visit the town is the renowned Chateau de Blois in the centre of the town, although the town itself is also interesting, and is a listed French 'Villes d'Art et Histoire'.

The famous Château de Blois, a Renaissance château once occupied by King Louis XII, is located in the center of the city. In the town there is also an interesting 18th century stone bridge across the River Loire, and the town has lots of steep, winding streets and staircases to explore.

The long stone bridge in Blois dates from the 18th century and is a good starting point, then simply follow the streets as they meander, climb and clamber through the old medieval centre, admiring the carefully protected historical buildings as you go, stopping of course for refreshments at a street side cafe along the route.

The heart of the old town is situated around the Place Louis XII. Among the highlights be sure to see the town hall (Hotel de Ville) and the gardens / courtyard in front; religious monuments including the Cathedral of Saint Louis and Saint Vincent Church; the gardens of the 'Jardins de l'Évêché' and the good views they have across the rooftops of Blois.

Chateau de Blois

The Chateau de Blois was home to a series of French kings, and was also the place where Joan of Arc went (in 1429) to be blessed by the Archbishop of Reims before she departed with her army to drive the English from Orléans (see Hundred Years War).

The Chateau of Blois comprises several parts and wings, as each owner seemed to feel the need to improve on the version before. The Chateau that we now see was therefore built over the course of several centuries - from the 13th to the 17th. As is common with such works, frequently the work was incomplete at the time of the death of the owner.

The castle was neglected for much of the 17th-18th centuries, was ransacked in the Revolution, and narrowly managed to avoid demolition. The improvement in its fortunes began in 1841 when it was made a National Monument, and it has now been restored into a major tourist attraction, with a fascinating role in the history of France. The most renowned architecture in the Chateau de Blois is the spiral staircase, found in the François I wing (see picture above).

For more information see Chateau de Blois in our Castles of France guide.

Near to Blois there are various pleasant woodlands and forests, including the Foret de Blois, the Parc de Chambord and the Foret de Boulogne. And more chateaux.

Note: Blois is twinned with Urbino (Italy)

Tourist classifications for Blois: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 4*; Listed town of Art and History; 'Historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé);

Suggested places to visit near Blois, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Talcy Chateau 22km; Beaugency 31km; Chateau d'Amboise 33km; Chateau de Chenonceau 35km; Lavardin 38km; Montresor 49km; Valencay 50km; Chateau de Valencay 50km; Tours 53km; Chateaudun 54km; Orleans 56km; Loches 58km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Blois

Blois tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Roseraie des terrasses de l’évêché - remarkable garden (1km) : Parc du château de Beauregard - remarkable garden (7km) : Domaine régional de Chaumont-sur-Loire - remarkable garden (16km) : Jardin du château de Talcy - remarkable garden (22km) : Vendome - town of art and history (31km) : Amboise - town of art and history (32km) : Jardin du domaine de Sasnières - remarkable garden (33km) : Parc et jardins du château de Chenonceau - remarkable garden (35km) :

French version: see Blois (Francais)