Loire Valley Travel Guide: Châteaux, Vineyards and Where to Stay
The Loire Valley is a long, flat river plain with several hundred châteaux scattered along it, and the main problem visitors face is choosing. Chambord and Chenonceau take the crowds; the smaller houses take the afternoon light. You can do it from Paris in a day, though the valley is better slowly — by bike along the river, or with two nights in Amboise and no fixed plan. These are the guides, grouped by the decision you are making.
Start here
- The 10 Most Beautiful Châteaux You Actually Need to See
- The Ultimate Loire Valley Road Trip Route
- The Best Time to Visit (And When to Avoid the Crowds)
Visiting from Paris
- Is a Day Trip from Paris Worth It? The Honest Answer
- Paris to the Loire: Train, Car and Day Tour Options
Tours and experiences
- The Châteaux by Hot Air Balloon: Worth the Splurge?
- Chambord by Candlelight: Is the Night Tour Worth It?
- Wine Tours: Vineyards Beyond Sancerre and Chinon
- Kayaking the Loire: A Slow Way to See the Châteaux