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Blois
Blois is found between Tours and Orleans, in the Loire Valley. The main reason that people visit the town is the renowned Chateau de Blois in the centre of the town, although the town itself is also interesting.
The famous Château de Blois, a Renaissance château once occupied by King Louis XII, is located in the center of the city. In the town there is also an interesting 18th century stone bridge across the River Loire, and the town has lots of steep, winding streets and staircases to explore.
The town has suffered rather from urban sprawl, and it is a little sad to see the Chateau surrounded by fast moving traffic, but still worthy of a visit.
Near to Blois, if the traffic is a bit too much for you, there are various pleasant woodlands and forests, including the Foret de Blois, the Parc de Chambord and the Foret de Boulogne. And more chateaux.
Chateau de Blois
The Chateau de Blois was home to a series of French kings, and was also the place where Joan of Arc went (in 1429) to be blessed by the Archbishop of Reims before she departed with her army to drive the English from Orléans (see Hundred Years War).
The Chateau of Blois comprises several parts and wings, as each owner seemed to feel the need to improve on the version before. The Chateau that we now see was therefore built over the course of several centuries - from the 13th to the 17th. As is common with such works, frequently the work was incomplete at the time of the death of the owner.
The castle was neglected for much of the 17th-18th centuries, was ransacked in the Revolution, and narrowly managed to avoid demolition. The improvement in its fortunes began in 1841 when it was made a National Monument, and it has now been restored into a major tourist attraction, with a fascinating role in the history of France. The most renowned architecture in the Chateau de Blois is the spiral staircase, found in the François I wing (see picture above).
Blois: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites
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Map of Blois, France |
Places to visit - Blois
Explore places within about 70 kilometres on a map: Blois.
Some of the closer places are listed below (distances from Blois are approximate and direct - as the crow flies. Only places listed on the france this way site are shown!)
- Chateau de Blois Chateau at 0 km
- Chateau de Chambord Chateau at 21 km
- Chateau de Cheverny Chateau at 17 km
- Loire Valley and river Designated world heritage site at 16 km
- See also Blois (version Francais)
Tourist Classifications for Blois
- Listed as "Ville d'Art et Histoire" (ie focus on preserving the town heritage)
- Town is "Ville Fleurie category 4" (ie good attention to gardens and flowers)
Information and photos
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