The town of Blois is found between Tours and Orleans in the Loire Valley. In recognition of the number of interesting monuments and the well preserved town centre Blois is a listed French 'Ville d'Art et Histoire' and has also been classified as a protected Historic Town in France.
Explore Blois
France This Way review: Blois is one of our favourite towns in the Loire Valley and an unmissable highlight of your visit: the town is one of the most interesting in the region, and has an impressive centre with several historic monuments as well as the renowned Chateau de Blois in the centre of the town.
Before starting to explore the centre of the town we suggest you cross the bridge in the town centre and walk a short distance along the river banks on the other side. This long stone bridge in Blois, the Pont Jacques Gabriel, dates from the 18th century. The view from here across the town is very lovely, and also helps you get a sense of where each of the main monuments in the town is situated. To help you there is an information board that highlights each of the principal monuments in Blois.
Before returning to the north side of the river you can visit the Church of Saint-Saturnin, one of the oldest churches in Blois, as well as the aitre of Saint-Saturnin: the aître is one of just a few cemeteries in France surrounded by galleries and is now the Lapidary Museum (with historic carved stones) for the town.
The north end of the bridge is a good starting point to explore the town. From here you can simply follow the streets as they meander, climb and clamber through the centre, admiring the protected historical buildings as you go, stopping of course for refreshments at a street side cafe along the route.
The main medieval centre in Blois is in the Rue des Trois Marchands (the western part of Blois) with the Church of Saint-Nicolas to the south and the castle to the north. This church is one of the most interesting in Blois and close to the Church of Saint-Nicolas you can also visit the Musee de la Resistance, dedicated to the resistance movement in the region during the Second World War.
Climb the hill and from the large square in front of the castle (the Place du Chateau!) you have nice views across the town and river. You can also find the Blois Tourist Office here and the Maison de la Magie, a popular attraction where you can learn about magic and see items that were used by Robert-Houdin and other magicians, as well as two popular restaurants.
If you follow the street next to the Tourist Ofice around the side of the castle you reach two more notable sights. The Church of Saint-Vincent is a baroque style church, and the large gardens behind the castle are also a peaceful place for a stroll and also have views across the town and castle.
Although the monuments around the castle are the most visited in Blois, we do recommend you also find the time to visit the region around the Cathedral of Saint-Louis, where you can also see Town Hall and its carefully maintained gardens and the Halle aux Grains. In the cathedral there are some very impreeive contemporary stained glass windows. Again, the views across the town rooftops and river are a large part of the attraction.
Chateau de Blois
The Château de Blois, a Renaissance château once occupied by King Louis XII, is in the center of Blois and is one of the most historically important castles in France. The castle was home to several 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 during the Hundred Years War.
The chateau comprises several parts and wings, added as each owner tried to improve on the version before. The Chateau that we now see was therefore built over the course of several hundred years, from the 13th to the 17th centuries. The most renowned architecture in the Chateau de Blois is the spiral staircase, found in the François I wing.
The castle was neglected for much of the 17th-18th centuries, then 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. For more information see Chateau de Blois.
Attractions nearby
A short distance north of the town centre on Rue de la Paix the Fondation du Doute features various contemporary artworks and interactive art exhibits. Near to Blois there are various pleasant woodlands and forests, including the Foret de Blois, the Parc de Chambord and the Foret de Boulogne.
To the east of Blois you can visit two of the most important castles in the Loire Valley: the Chateau de Chambord, the largest and most visited castle in the region, and the Chateau de Cheverny, a more recent castle and with the most beautiful interiors in the region.
You can find more travel ideas in the Loir-et-Cher guide and the Loire Valley guide.
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Map of Blois and places nearby
Visit near Blois with France This Way reviews
Chateau de Blois
One of the most impressive of the Loire castles, the Chateau de Blois is best known for its double helix renaissance staircase
Chateau de Blois guide
Chateau de Cheverny
Cheverny Castle is perhaps the most opulently furnished of the Loire castles, and also has very lovely gardens
Chateau de Cheverny guide
Chateau de Chambord
The largest castle in the Loire Valley, Chateau de Chambord exceeds all expectations with its grandeur - despite being built as a hunting lodge and rarely occupied!
Chateau de Chambord guide
Chateau de Chaumont
The small village of Chaumont-sur-Loire is dominated by the Chateau de Chaumont, one of the largest Loire Valley castles and with a famous annual International Garden Festival
Chateau de Chaumont guide
Vendome
Now listed as a 'town of art and history', Vendome retains many monuments from its active past despite extensive wartime damage
Vendome guide
Beaugency
A small town on the banks of the Loire River, Beaugency squeezes a remarkable number of interesting sights in a small space!
Beaugency guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Loir-et-Cher
Tourist classifications for Blois
Blois has received the following tourist classifications: historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé); listed town of Art and History ; village in bloom (ville fleurie) 4*
Address: Blois, Loire Valley, 41000, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 47.585, longitude 1.33
Plan your visit to Blois, Loir-et-Cher
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Roseraie des terrasses de l’évêché: remarkable garden
- Parc du château de Beauregard: remarkable garden (7 km)
- Fougeres-sur-Bievre Chateau: national monument (15 km)
- Domaine régional de Chaumont-sur-Loire: remarkable garden (16 km)
- Talcy Chateau: national monument (22 km)
- Jardin du château de Talcy: remarkable garden (22 km)
- Réserve de Beaumarchais: zoo or wildlife park (26 km)
- Vendome: town of art and history (31 km)
- Beaugency: recommended detour (31 km)
- Amboise: secteur sauvegarde (32 km)
- Jardin du domaine de Sasnières: remarkable garden (33 km)
- Parc et jardins du château de Chenonceau: remarkable garden (35 km)
Market days in Blois, France
Regular market(s) are held in Blois each Wednesday & Tuesday & Thursday & Sunday & Saturday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Blois (Francais)