Chateau de Blois

Visit Chateau de Blois, Loire Valley

The Royal Château de Blois is located in the town of Blois, in the Loir-et-Cher département of the Loire Valley, in France.

Unlike most of the Loire valley castles, that present a single identifiable style, the Chateau at Blois comprises various buildings that were built over the course of several centuries (from the 13th century to the 17th century), and thus consists of a series of different styles. This variety is best seen in the central courtyard where the structures from various epochs can clearly be seen, and include:

- a medieval section, dating to the 13th century;

- the gothic style red-brick wing, built under Louis XII in the early 16th century, and the associated chapel. This part includes the statue of Louis XII set in the wall above the entrance, and the wing now contains Blois Museum of Fine Arts;

- a section in the Italian renaissance style added under Francois I (16th century) and including the grand spiral staircase- the most famous feature at Blois chateau and open to the interior courtyard;

- the wing added by Gaston d'Orleans using classical style architecture in the 17th century

In its long history as a regional centre Blois castle was home to several kings (Louis XII, Francois I, Henry III, Henry IV). Among the most important events to take place at Blois castle Joan of Arc came here in 1429 to be blessed before setting off to drive the English from Orleans.

After several centuries of occupation and development the castle came to be used less and less, and by the middle of the 17th century it was largely abandoned. This situation was made worse during the revolution when many of the important artefacts were destroyed or removed from the castle.

It was to be another fifty years before the importance of the castle was to be officially recognised, when it was listed as a historic monument, and subsequently restored to its former glory.

Visitors to Blois castle will find several notable highlights apart from the castle buildings themselves, including the cavernous 13th century 'salle des etats' in the earliest part of the castle, with its ornately decorated ceiling; the ornate renaissance staircase; the opulent decoration of rooms such as Henry IV bedroom; the 'chamber of secrets' of Catherine de Medici;

See also article about Chateau Blois in our French Castles section.

See more Loire Valley castles.

Suggested places to visit near Chateau de 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 Chateau de Blois

Chateau de 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 Chateau de Blois (Francais)