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Château de Blois

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Château de Blois (France)

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The Royal Château de Blois in the Loire Valley has a unique panorama of French architectural history, combining four distinct styles within a single complex. As a residence for seven French kings and ten queens, it reflects power and cultural shifts over several centuries. The site includes a 13th-century Gothic hall, the late Gothic wing of Louis XII, the magnificent Renaissance wing of Francis I, and the classical wing of Gaston d'Orléans. The world-famous monumental spiral staircase in the courtyard is considered a masterpiece of Renaissance engineering and is richly decorated with sculptures. Blois was also the setting for dramatic historical events, such as the assassination of the Duke of Guise in 1588 by order of Henry III. Today, the château serves as a museum, offering visitors a journey through time across the French monarchy and the evolution of palace architecture.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C4471114182120171384
Rain mm594854476959545040676467

📋 Practical info

📍
Address
6 Place du Château, 41000 Blois
🕒
Hours
Mon-Sun 09:00-18:30
💶
Entry
€14 adults, €7 children
🌐
Website
chateaudeblois.fr
🚌
Transit
Intercity train to Blois-Chambord station, then a 10-minute walk
🅿️
Parking
'Stationnement Château' parking garage directly under the castle square
♿
Accessibility
Courtyard and ground floor accessible, upper floors via the grand staircase
📷
Photos
Photography permitted inside without flash
⭐
Best time
Evenings between April and September for the light and sound show
🎧
Audio guide
DE, EN, FR, IT, ES, ZH, JP, RU, PT

Geography

Coordinates
47.58000, 1.33000

Facts

  • Blois served as the preferred residence for seven kings of France.
  • The famous spiral staircase of the Francis I wing is uniquely open to the courtyard.
  • In 1429, Joan of Arc was blessed here by the Archbishop of Reims before her campaign.
  • Catherine de' Medici died in this castle in January 1589.
  • The wing of Louis XII features an equestrian statue of the king above the portal.
  • The château houses the Museum of Fine Arts of Blois within its historic rooms.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

BloisBlois<1 km · NExplore →
📍Vineuil3 km · EExplore →
Château de ChevernyChâteau de Cheverny13 km · SEExplore →
Schloss ChambordSchloss Chambord15 km · EExplore →
Châteaux de la LoireChâteaux de la Loire15 km · EExplore →
📍Mer19 km · NEExplore →
📍Le Controis-en-Sologne19 km · SEExplore →
📍Vendôme31 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Château de Blois (10)

Pont antique à duits

Ruins of an ancient bridge with sluices, remains of Roman infrastructure.

Musée de la Resistance🏛 museum

Museum about the French Resistance, documenting the struggle.

Église Saint-Nicolas

Church in Loir-et-Cher, Central France, Romanesque-Gothic building.

🕒 09:00-17:00

Château de la Villette

Manor house, historic estate near Blois.

Ancien système de pèche médiéval

Ruins of a medieval fishing system on the Loire.

Muséum d'Histoire naturelle de Blois🏛 museum

Natural history museum of Blois, collections of regional fauna and flora.

Maison de la BD🏛 museum

Museum and exhibition center for comics and graphic novels.

Aile Gaston d'Orléans

Wing of the Château de Blois, built in the 17th century, classical style.

Portail de la Chocolaterie

Gate of a former chocolate factory, ornate portal.

Chapelle Saint-Calais

Chapel inside the Château de Blois, France, Gothic style.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the architectural highlight of Blois Castle?
The magnificent spiral staircase in the Francis I wing, designed in Renaissance style and open to the outside.
Is there a Sound and Light show at Blois Castle?
Yes, from April to September, a spectacular evening show is held annually in the castle courtyard.
Which French kings lived here?
Blois was the residence of seven kings, including Louis XII, Francis I, and Henry III.
Is the castle located in the city center?
Yes, it is located on a rocky plateau right above Blois city center, just a few minutes' walk from the train station.
What can you visit opposite the castle?
Directly opposite is the 'Maison de la Magie', an interactive magic museum in honor of Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin.
Château de Blois: where is it located?
Château de Blois is located in Centre-Val de Loire, France.
Château de Blois: what is there to see?
Highlights include Pont antique à duits, Musée de la Resistance, Église Saint-Nicolas.
Château de Blois: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Château de Blois: why is it worth visiting?
The Royal Château de Blois in the Loire Valley has a unique panorama of French architectural history, combining four distinct styles within a single complex.
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