There are many castles in the surroundings, et many of them deserve one full day to be visited. Our advice is to avoid trying to visit too many, and take your time. We will welcome you with pleasure another time...
This is probably the first thing to see in the area.
A full day is probably not enough to visit all. In addition to the large castle, marvel of architecture, there are also gardens, a huge forest park, and many attractions for youngs and olders: equestrian shows and falconry, boat trips, wild life viewing, sound and light.
Book your ticket in advance and start early to have enough time and because there are often a lot of people. It may be wise to bring your picnic, as there are few decent and affordable restaurants on site.
17 km, via Blois.https://www.chateaudevalmer.com/
If you love gardens or art, this is the place not to be missed.
From May to October, for 25 years, the International Garden Festival where great landscapers from all around the world compete in making about twenty small gardens that are creations always very original and often funny.
Even outside this period and this competition, the 32ha park is beautiful, with flowers, plants and beautiful trees, enlivened by many works of land art. There are also, in the old buildings of the estate, several beautiful permanent or temporary art exhibitions and other curiosities, including for children.
The castle itself is not the most interesting.
Every year we spend there a whole day, which is never long enough.
You can have nice lunch in the homestead at various prices. If you like a good and not so expensive lunch, book at “Le Velum”.
16 km from Les Brochards. Turn left exiting the private road, then turn in the second road on the left (Rue des Moriers), and turn right at it’s end to join Tours road.
https://domaine-chaumont.fr/en
The castle juxtaposes several ages.
By visiting it you will relive the history of France, from Louis XII when Blois was the capital of France, to Gaston d’Orléans, brother of King Louis XIII, who longed to become the King, through the religion wars.
Half a day is enough, after which you can walk in the old-Blois to the cathedral, and walking on the left side of the cathedral to the Jardins de l’évêché (gardens of the bishop, now town hall) where there is a magnificent view on the old city.
Also called Saint Laumer, it is a beautiful church mainly Roman (XII th century).
The roofs upon the two towers date from the end of the 19th century, but the interior is a beautiful homogeneous set in the "stone of Blois".
https://www.blois.fr/en/annuaire/re...
In 2019 we have celebrated the 500 years of the death of Leonardo da Vinci who lived his last years at Clos Lucé while King Francis the 1st resided at the nearby castle. Plan the day to visit both places. Everything can be done by feet.
You will discover from the castle a magnificent view on the Loire valley. There were tragic events during the wars of religion.
https://www.chateau-amboise.com/en/
The Clos Lucé will enchant you with the wealth and number of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions that you can experience yourself and that will delight young and old. Snacking in place is possible.
30 km from Les Brochards. Same as Chaumont itinerary (see above). Stay on the right bank instead of crossing the Loire in front of Chaumont.
The castle of Chenonceau, also called the castle of the Ladies, is one of the most majestic castles of the Loire.
His arches span the river Cher with grace. Cherished by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis.
Wonderfully furnished (ah, its kitchen!). We fall in love with the gardens planted on both sides of the dungeon ... and the charming village of Chenonceaux (written with an "x"!)
45 km from Les Brochards. The nicest road is via Chaumont (see above).
It is especially important to visit the castle for its exceptional furniture, unchanged for centuries. It is private and belongs to the same family since more than 6 centuries.
As it has been used as a model for Marlinspike Hall in Tintin by Hergé, there is also an exhibition and references to Tintin that can amuse both youngs and olds.
It also owns a pack of dogs because the owners of the castle still hunt. Do not miss the "dog meal" extraordinarily disciplined. Ask about the schedule according to the season (often around 4 or 5 pm).
20 km via Blois and to the south.
https://www.chateau-cheverny.fr/en
This "small" private castle, located in the middle of a vast park, shows an incredible collection of portraits representing more than 300 important figures of Europe, including 14 kings of France, covering more than three centuries of history from the end of the Middle Ages.
8 km via Blois and to the south.
https://beauregard-loire.com/en
Renovated architecture jewel, it has superb furniture contemporary of Napoleon 1st. He belonged to the great diplomat Charles Maurice de Talleyrand who negotiated the Treaty of Vienna for France in 1814-15.
50 km via Blois.
https://www.chateau-valencay.fr/
Turning left in rue Albert 1er you will find after about 400m, on your left, the lovely « Chemin de Crève-Cœur » to walk down to the Loire.
Before the railway, don’t take the road on your left (forbidden to public and a cul-de-sac), but you can climb on your right, to join the rue Albert 1er, or otherwise pass under the railway, cross carefully the highway, and find a narrow path along the Loire, towards Blois and « La Rote aux ânes » (read below). To be avoided with young children and not suitable for bicycles.
Turning right in rue Albert 1er, after 500m, and before the Lycée Hôtelier, you will find « La Rote aux ânes » which join La Loire and the Tours highway. It is a way to walk to Blois downtown (3,5 km), or to walk back to les Brochards in a loop for about 5km as explained above. Not suitable for bicycles, except cross.
From Les Brochards, on foot or riding a bicycle, you can join the large straight paths of the forest planted with tall oaks. You can also take the Rue Albert Premier Street by car (left), then the street that extends it, up to a cul de sac, from where you have an interesting starting point in the valley of Les Vaujagots.
In honor of Robert Houdin, a magician born in Blois, it offers a large exhibition and daily magic shows that may interest the youngest and olders. Ask about the show schedules. It is open only from early April to late September and during the Halloween holidays.
Located opposite of the entrance of the Blois castle, on the Castle Square (accessed by foot only).
Lovers of modern art can’t fail to visit this place in Blois, where there is a fine collection of artworks collected by the artist Ben, Fluxus and the city of Blois, whose mayor was a great minister of culture of France.
https://en.fondationdudoute.fr
Located in Saint-Aignan 35km south of Blois, they show about 3000 animals on 32 hectares of land. It is one of the 4 most important animal collections in Europe.
Plan a very long day, even 2 days. Poor on-site restaurants, a picnic is preferable.
35 km from Blois, southwards.
In case this is not enough, we can also mention the castles of Talcy, Villesavin, Fougères, Montpoupon, Valmer, Villandry, La Possonière all worthing several hours each.
There are many castles in the surroundings, et many of them deserve one full day to be visited. Our advice is to avoid trying to visit too many, and take your time. We will welcome you with pleasure another time...
This is probably the first thing to see in the area.
A full day is probably not enough to visit all. In addition to the large castle, marvel of architecture, there are also gardens, a huge forest park, and many attractions for youngs and olders: equestrian shows and falconry, boat trips, wild life viewing, sound and light.
Book your ticket in advance and start early to have enough time and because there are often a lot of people. It may be wise to bring your picnic, as there are few decent and affordable restaurants on site.
17 km, via Blois.https://www.chateaudevalmer.com/
If you love gardens or art, this is the place not to be missed.
From May to October, for 25 years, the International Garden Festival where great landscapers from all around the world compete in making about twenty small gardens that are creations always very original and often funny.
Even outside this period and this competition, the 32ha park is beautiful, with flowers, plants and beautiful trees, enlivened by many works of land art. There are also, in the old buildings of the estate, several beautiful permanent or temporary art exhibitions and other curiosities, including for children.
The castle itself is not the most interesting.
Every year we spend there a whole day, which is never long enough.
You can have nice lunch in the homestead at various prices. If you like a good and not so expensive lunch, book at “Le Velum”.
16 km from Les Brochards. Turn left exiting the private road, then turn in the second road on the left (Rue des Moriers), and turn right at it’s end to join Tours road.
https://domaine-chaumont.fr/en
The castle juxtaposes several ages.
By visiting it you will relive the history of France, from Louis XII when Blois was the capital of France, to Gaston d’Orléans, brother of King Louis XIII, who longed to become the King, through the religion wars.
Half a day is enough, after which you can walk in the old-Blois to the cathedral, and walking on the left side of the cathedral to the Jardins de l’évêché (gardens of the bishop, now town hall) where there is a magnificent view on the old city.
Also called Saint Laumer, it is a beautiful church mainly Roman (XII th century).
The roofs upon the two towers date from the end of the 19th century, but the interior is a beautiful homogeneous set in the "stone of Blois".
https://www.blois.fr/en/annuaire/re...
In 2019 we have celebrated the 500 years of the death of Leonardo da Vinci who lived his last years at Clos Lucé while King Francis the 1st resided at the nearby castle. Plan the day to visit both places. Everything can be done by feet.
You will discover from the castle a magnificent view on the Loire valley. There were tragic events during the wars of religion.
https://www.chateau-amboise.com/en/
The Clos Lucé will enchant you with the wealth and number of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions that you can experience yourself and that will delight young and old. Snacking in place is possible.
30 km from Les Brochards. Same as Chaumont itinerary (see above). Stay on the right bank instead of crossing the Loire in front of Chaumont.
The castle of Chenonceau, also called the castle of the Ladies, is one of the most majestic castles of the Loire.
His arches span the river Cher with grace. Cherished by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis.
Wonderfully furnished (ah, its kitchen!). We fall in love with the gardens planted on both sides of the dungeon ... and the charming village of Chenonceaux (written with an "x"!)
45 km from Les Brochards. The nicest road is via Chaumont (see above).
It is especially important to visit the castle for its exceptional furniture, unchanged for centuries. It is private and belongs to the same family since more than 6 centuries.
As it has been used as a model for Marlinspike Hall in Tintin by Hergé, there is also an exhibition and references to Tintin that can amuse both youngs and olds.
It also owns a pack of dogs because the owners of the castle still hunt. Do not miss the "dog meal" extraordinarily disciplined. Ask about the schedule according to the season (often around 4 or 5 pm).
20 km via Blois and to the south.
https://www.chateau-cheverny.fr/en
This "small" private castle, located in the middle of a vast park, shows an incredible collection of portraits representing more than 300 important figures of Europe, including 14 kings of France, covering more than three centuries of history from the end of the Middle Ages.
8 km via Blois and to the south.
https://beauregard-loire.com/en
Renovated architecture jewel, it has superb furniture contemporary of Napoleon 1st. He belonged to the great diplomat Charles Maurice de Talleyrand who negotiated the Treaty of Vienna for France in 1814-15.
50 km via Blois.
https://www.chateau-valencay.fr/
Turning left in rue Albert 1er you will find after about 400m, on your left, the lovely « Chemin de Crève-Cœur » to walk down to the Loire.
Before the railway, don’t take the road on your left (forbidden to public and a cul-de-sac), but you can climb on your right, to join the rue Albert 1er, or otherwise pass under the railway, cross carefully the highway, and find a narrow path along the Loire, towards Blois and « La Rote aux ânes » (read below). To be avoided with young children and not suitable for bicycles.
Turning right in rue Albert 1er, after 500m, and before the Lycée Hôtelier, you will find « La Rote aux ânes » which join La Loire and the Tours highway. It is a way to walk to Blois downtown (3,5 km), or to walk back to les Brochards in a loop for about 5km as explained above. Not suitable for bicycles, except cross.
From Les Brochards, on foot or riding a bicycle, you can join the large straight paths of the forest planted with tall oaks. You can also take the Rue Albert Premier Street by car (left), then the street that extends it, up to a cul de sac, from where you have an interesting starting point in the valley of Les Vaujagots.
In honor of Robert Houdin, a magician born in Blois, it offers a large exhibition and daily magic shows that may interest the youngest and olders. Ask about the show schedules. It is open only from early April to late September and during the Halloween holidays.
Located opposite of the entrance of the Blois castle, on the Castle Square (accessed by foot only).
Lovers of modern art can’t fail to visit this place in Blois, where there is a fine collection of artworks collected by the artist Ben, Fluxus and the city of Blois, whose mayor was a great minister of culture of France.
https://en.fondationdudoute.fr
Located in Saint-Aignan 35km south of Blois, they show about 3000 animals on 32 hectares of land. It is one of the 4 most important animal collections in Europe.
Plan a very long day, even 2 days. Poor on-site restaurants, a picnic is preferable.
35 km from Blois, southwards.
In case this is not enough, we can also mention the castles of Talcy, Villesavin, Fougères, Montpoupon, Valmer, Villandry, La Possonière all worthing several hours each.
