This historic town in the Loire Valley has a royal château built between 13th-17th centuries. Its medieval streets lead to local markets, traditional French cafés, and Renaissance gardens.
Blois sits on the banks of the Loire River, where French kings once lived and ruled. You can climb the 16th-century spiral staircase at Château de Blois, watch mechanical dragons emerge from the House of Magic every hour, and walk past medieval houses with exposed wooden beams on rue Pierre de Blois. Located within 20 minutes of Chambord and Cheverny castles, Blois works well as a starting point for Loire Valley exploration.
The Royal Château de Blois
The Château de Blois rises above the city center, with four wings built in different centuries. You'll see a medieval fortress, the Gothic Louis XII wing, the Renaissance François I wing, and the classical Gaston d'Orléans wing. Walk through 17 furnished royal apartments and see works by Rubens and Ingres in the fine arts museum. From April to September, evening sound and light shows transform the château's courtyard into scenes from its royal past.
The Medieval Quarter
The narrow streets below the château maintain their 16th-century character. Walk along rue Pierre de Blois and rue du Puits-Chatel to see townhouses from the 1500s. Look up at the Maison des Acrobates to spot its carved wooden facade, and stop at Hôtel de Villebrême to admire its stone spiral staircase tower.
Museums and Cultural Sites
At the House of Magic, across from the château, you can learn about famous magician Robert-Houdin through interactive illusion exhibits. Mechanical dragons emerge from the building's facade throughout the day. The Fondation du Doute displays contemporary art from the Fluxus movement, including pieces by Duchamp, Dali, and Man Ray. Visit the Maison de la BD to learn about comic book art and its evolution.
Churches
The Saint-Louis Cathedral, built between 1544 and 1700, has Gothic walls and modern stained glass windows created by Jan Dibbets in 1992. You can see remnants of a 13th-century Benedictine abbey at the Church of Saint-Nicolas, while Saint-Sernin Church dates back to the 16th century.
Gardens and Public Spaces
Walk through the Bishop's Garden (Jardin de l'Evêché) behind the cathedral to see the Loire River from above. The garden has two main areas: a rose garden that blooms from May to September, and a sensory garden where you can touch, smell, and taste various plants.
Getting to Blois
Trains run regularly between Blois and Paris (1.5 hours), Orléans, and Tours. If driving from Paris, take the A10 motorway (exit 17). From Blois, you can reach other Loire Valley castles easily: Chambord is 15 kilometers away, while Cheverny and Amboise are both within 30 minutes by car.
