Discover the castles of the Loire valley: from Château de Chambord to Château d’Amboise

24 April, 2023

In 1981 I cycled from Paris to Nantes with three high school friends. Our goal: to visit as many Loire castles as possible. I still remember those days; it was the summer of Charles and Diana’s wedding. I can still hear the French radio talking about ‘Palais Buckingham’ (palè buukiengám). So much has changed since then. Or has it?

Loire castles and nice campsites

The Loire castles are must-sees. Spectacular buildings at beautiful waterfront locations, often with stunning gardens and an interesting history. They don’t feature on all those bucket lists for nothing! Plus they are official World Heritage sites. The castle area starts in Chambord (just below Orléans, about 170 kilometres below Paris) and continues westwards for about 150 kilometres to Angers.

There are campsites in the Loire Valley near all the Loire castles, often directly on the Loire and especially on its tributaries. Most sites are set in the countryside, although some of the campsites are located close to the charming towns. It is also an attractive area for cyclists, thanks to the long-distance bike path Loire à Vélo. It’s a much better path than the one I took in 1981, and my bike is much better, too!

In this blog I would like to tell you more about four impressive Loire castles: Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau, Château de Villandry and Château d’Amboise. I will also give some tips for good campsites in the area. It’s up to you if you want to visit the castles by bike or by car…

1. The imposing Chambord Castle

Château de Chambord is the largest and most imposing Loire Castle, built for King Francis I from 1519. The castle has a richly decorated exterior of light stone with a grey roof. Surprising fact: you can walk around on this roof. The entire complex has no fewer than 440 rooms. You will also find an unusual double spiral staircase, which is said to have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci. Chambord exudes ultimate grandeur and is interesting for all ages. The castle of course also boasts a beautiful garden, which visitors can enjoy without a face covering.

Practical information and booking

• Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in low season and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in high season. View details.
• Entrance to park and castle €16.00, free entrance for children under 18 and EU residents between 18 and 25 years old
• Booking ahead is recommended. Order tickets to the Château de Chambord here.

Top-rate campsites near Chambord:

2. The extraordinary architecture of Château de Chenonceau

Château de Chenonceau stands out because it has been built half over the Cher river, which is not far from the Loire. The graceful arches reflect beautifully in the water. Château de Chenonceau is one of the most popular castles in France. Of course it’s lovely to visit the inside of the intimately decorated castle, but there’s at least as much to see outside. The Chenonceau gardens are very extensive and include a labyrinth. And how about a leisurely stroll along the banks of the Cher?

Practical information and booking

• Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in low season and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in high season. View details.
• Entrance to park and castle €15.50 (children under 7 free)
• Booking ahead is recommended. Order tickets for the Château de Chenonceau here.

Top-rate campsites near Chenonceau:

3. The Renaissance gardens of Château de Villandry

Château de Villandry is best known for the size of its gardens. These are laid out in Renaissance style, with many geometric shapes. You can walk around for hours and admire the vegetable garden, the water garden, the labyrinth, and more. The plants are arranged by colour, creating a cheerful and organized whole. The ornamental garden consists of four ‘love gardens’, of course also featuring roses. And as if that wasn’t enough, there’s a forest next to the gardens. A lovely place to seek out the shade, especially on a hot day!

Practical information and booking

• The castle gardens are open year-round from approximately 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The castle is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning in early February. In high season, the gardens and castle are open longer. See details here.
• Entrance to castle and gardens €13.00 (children under 8 free)
• Booking ahead is recommended. Order tickets for the Château de Villandry and the castle gardens here.

Top-rate campsites near Villandry:

4. A stunning view from Château d’Amboise

Situated on top of a hill, Château d’Amboise offers a beautiful view over the Loire Valley. And that used to come in handy to see which side the enemy was coming from. In the fifteenth century the castle was popular with members of the royal family. This castle is unique because it houses Leonardo da Vinci’s tomb. The famous Italian lived in Amboise for many years at the invitation of King Francis I. There is a life-size statue of Da Vinci in the town.

Tip: Château d’Amboise and the aforementioned Château de Chenonceau are only thirteen kilometres apart. So it’s a great opportunity to visit two Loire castles in one day!

Practical information and booking

• Open daily from approximately 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the preseason and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the peak season. View details.
• Entrance to castle €15.00 (children under 7 free)
• Booking ahead is recommended. Order tickets for Château d’Amboise here.

Top-rate campsites near Amboise:

View all campsites in the Loire Valley.

Your favourites

Which castle in the Loire Valley would you like to visit? And which ones have you already seen? I’d love to hear about it. Let me know in a comment; and perhaps you have some tips of your own to share!