When you hear of France, thoughts of Paris and monuments, such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral, flood your mind. Alongside its culinary reputation, which remains distinguished worldwide, France also boasts many incredible châteaus for visiting.
What are French châteaus? They are basically old palaces and castles once owned and visited by the kings of France (Louis 10-14th, typically) and the nobility of that time. Who doesn’t love visiting a palace and dreaming of the lives that went on there (and projecting ourselves there a bit)?
France is FULL of châteaus of all shapes and sizes. We’ve been tempted for years to buy a miniature version and make it a family home. Many people have already followed this dream, and we hope we do too someday. It’s on our dream board!
The Loire Valley, a large stretch of picturesque landscapes stretching two hours from Paris to the sea, is famed for the châteaus you can visit here. Be it a day trip from Paris or a dedicated trip here, like us, this area of France is magical.
We stayed far away from most of the chateaus in La Chartre sur-le-Loire, which was too far. We had to drive over an hour daily for visits, which gets old fast, even with the incredible countryside.
Instead, I would recommend trying to find lodging in these towns. Here are some great options to consider!
While endless (albeit incredible) museums can quickly become torturous when traveling with kids, what about these châteaus? Our family wanted to find out if the Christmas magic of these royal castles continues to be magical with kids in tow.
Every Christmas, our family is fond of finding places to dip deeply in yuletide decorations, food, and markets. France is always high on our list. This year we chose to road trip from our home in Lisbon to the Loire Valley, which is more than 15 hours of driving! We made this trip with 8 people, all the Christmas gifts, luggage, food, and a dog!
What was it like visiting the châteaus with kids? These were our observations:
If you’re looking for a place to see incredible holiday decorations, you should consider adding these lovely royal castles to your holiday travels. Each has its exquisite decorations. Here’s a list of the must-see country houses in Loire Valley:
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The largest and most visited castle in the Loire Valley, Château de Chambord, boasts over 400 rooms! While airy and a bit cold, the history of this place overwhelms and inspires visitors daily. Every Christmas holiday, Chambord castle sets up thousands of lights that will surely make your eyes shine during your visit. Each year, new growth and projects are introduced to visitors, and a rich program of cultural events punctuates the seasons.
It’s said that Leonardo da Vinci influenced the castle’s Renaissance-style construction. See the stunning rooftop designed to look like the skyline of Constantinople and the intricate double-helix staircase, where you will never see someone ascending until you reach the next floor.
Where to capture the perfect photo? Take a panoramic view from the château’s immaculate gardens and ride a carriage across the lawns just like in the movies.
Here’s what we loved the most during our visit:
Carrying an uninterrupted succession of women who built, protected, restored, and saved this royal monument, Château de Chenonceau is known to be a Women’s Castle with a fascinating combination of Renaissance and Gothic architecture. It’s also home to an extraordinary furniture collection, tapestries, and paintings.
The guards’ room has a 16th-century fireplace decorated by 16th-century tapestries and a showing of exposed ceiling joists bearing the mark of letter C for Catherine de Medici.
You will also love the castle’s everyday floral arrangements from their onsite floral workshop.
Here’s what we loved the most during our visit:
The first private châteaux to become open to the public to share history and culture with the people, Château de Cheverny offers a rare and unique view into the everyday life of the family that still owns it. The various rooms are being decorated according to seasons for exhibitions.
It has six thematic gardens that offer magnificent promenades and advances throughout the year. The owners also keep 120 hunting dogs in the on-site kennels as a place of hunting and tradition.
Catch Cheverny’s exhibition Les Secrets de Moulinsart, which is available permanently. Here you can dive into the adventures of Tintin, with parts of Captain Haddock’s castle reproduced in actual size, and learn how the Château de Cheverny inspired Hergé to design Moulinsart.
Here’s what we loved the most during our visit:
This château holds various constructions, workshops, and noticeable features on its grounds, like the reservoir, the attractive rustic bridge, and the dog cemetery.
Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire is famous for its yearly garden festival. You will admire the well-maintained art gallery, grand spiral staircase, the oldest tapestry in the castle dating from the 15th century, and the portrait of Catherine de Médicis.
The triple identity of the Domaine is art, heritage, and gardens, which make for a unique visit within the loop of the Loire Valley castles.
Expresses French-style luxury and has undergone massive transformation through the centuries. A 3D recreation area recently opened in Château de Amboise‘s orangery, where you can discover more of its history.
Catch the spectacular show of sound and light called The Prophecy of Amboise every summer, a multi-sensory show which recaptures the court of Charles VIII back to life.
Other highlights include the famous resting place of Leonardo da Vinci, the quaint ruins of the Chapel of St. Florentine, and the Saint Hubert chapel. Leonardo da Vinci’s tomb is preserved at the château.
The high towers and the dungeons of Château de Sully-sur-Loire portray a rich history you are yet to discover. It stands like an island out of the River Loire, which sits on a collection of 3 small outcrops. The Grand Château is the oldest preserved feature, dating back to the 14th century.
Looking for an enjoyable way to discover more of this historical monument of the Loiret while having fun? The castle of Sully offers an exciting escape game! You can also go hunting for scenery which you can do solo or as a family. Wander in lawns searching for the 15 ornamental details specially selected for you hiding in the castle.
Hailed as the most family-orientated château within the Loire Valley, Château de Villandry is known for its exceptional gardens, including the spectacular Renaissance Gardens. Each room is filled with a festive ambiance. Step onto the old keep, which hosted a meeting between the King of France and Kind of England.
The grounds also include a play area for children, vegetable gardens, and terraces for a perfect view of the castle. Add to it the oriental drawing room and an artwork display in the gallery, and the intricate Louis XV staircase.
Here’s what we loved the most during our visit:
Built on an islet between two arms of the Indre River, the view from the water mirror is certainly the best way to remember Azay Castle. The symmetry of the castle takes your breath away with its outside beauty. Here you will also find the Escalier d’Honneur, the oldest surviving staircase of its kind in France.
Having situated on an exceptional site, the Château d’Azay le Rideau‘s park is home to rich flora and fauna, which the various owners have taken advantage of. From dragonflies to bats, you can see herbs originating from different parts of the world.
This château is sparsely furnished but offers some insights into how it looked in the 1600s. Museums have donated all furniture here.
Here’s what we loved the most during our visit:
Just like the other royal castles in the heart of Loire Valley, Château de Langeais has its specialty. Here you’ll see sixteen rooms with pieces of furniture richly sculpted from the Middle Ages. It’s also home to a collection of tapestries.
This château is uniquely situated in the middle of town instead of on the outskirts. We loved the drawbridge!
One of the highlights of your visit is the reformation of Anne of Brittany’s secret wedding in the chateau in the middle ages (note commentary is in French). Fall in love with Château de Langeais’ many events throughout the year.
Here’s what we loved the most during our visit:
Château de Blois boasts a beautiful illustration of French building styles from the middle ages to the 17th century. Four wings surround the courtyard, and the building evokes, through its diversity of styles, the fate of seven kings and ten queens of France.
Blois castle is packed with activities available in every season. Late on summer evenings, you may get a chance to attend the château’s featured ‘son et lumière,’ a melodramatic historical narrative with a light show accompanied by classical music. While on Christmas, this royal castle will take you into a wonderful world of lights and sounds. Children can also enjoy tale reading and young audience workshops. There are workshops for families too! And, of course, the Escape Game “The crazy escape of Mary Medici”!
Like the others, you’ll see the beautiful Roy Gardens, which reflect the history of the place. You’ll notice the atmosphere of the three eras they evoke on the different facades: Medieval, Renaissance and Classic.
Clos Lucé castle knows Leonardo Da Vinci so well! Leonardo spent the last three years of his life here, working on several projects for the king of France, surrounded by his students. You’ll find his paintings as you roam around, see his actual bedroom, and feel the breeze in the garden and the park named after Leonardo.
Feel the magic of Christmas at Château du Clos Lucé. Several activities are available depending on the date of your visit. See the schedule here.
Finish your visit with a stroll around the grounds, where a stunning pond lies surrounded by centuries-old pines and, of course, the famous Mona Lisa rose.
From Paris: Loire Valley Castles Day Trip With Wine Tasting: An epic day of château-hopping and wine sipping! Explore the most stunning castles in the Loire Valley, with insider stories and a delicious wine tasting that’ll make your taste buds dance. No need to worry about driving – we’ve got you covered.
From Tours : Full-Day Chambord & Chenonceau Chateaux: The ultimate château adventure from Tours. Dive deep into the architectural marvels of Chambord and Chenonceau – two jaw-dropping castles that’ll make your history-loving heart skip a beat. Think grand halls, royal intrigue, and landscapes that look like they’re straight out of a fairy tale.
From Paris: Loire Valley Castles Day Trip With Wine Tasting: Your golden ticket to France’s most legendary castles. Cruise through the Loire Valley, marvel at Renaissance masterpieces, and toast your adventures with local wines. A perfect blend of history, beauty, and pure French magic – all in one unforgettable day.
Enjoy French chateaus!!!
Xoxo,
Leslie
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10 Best Things To Do During Your Day Trip To Chartres, France with Kids
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