The Five Loire Valley Castles Not To Miss

roadtripfrance on October 17, 2021

With more than 500 castles in the Loire Valley, where does one start exploring this region which has been called the garden of France?  These 5 castles of the Loire Valley give an overview of the different types of Loire Valley chateaux you can find. For example, you get to visit a royal Loire Valley castle (Chateau du Blois) as well as a Loire Valley castle still occupied by its original family (Chateau du Cheverney). Two of these castles in the Loire Valley (Chateau du Chenonceau and Chateau du Chaumont) are part of an infamous Royal love triangle. The final choice of our favourite castles of the Loire Valley is Chateau du Chambord with its amazing cylindrical helix staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci.

Loire Valley Chateaux

It’s easy to reach the Loire Valley from Paris. Heading south from Paris, the Loire Valley from Paris is about 105 kilometres (62 miles) away on the A10. Paris to Loire Valley by car is approximately a 2 hour drive.

The convenience of reaching the Loire Valley makes the Paris to Loire Valley day trip possible. It is a long day, however, and you are rushing around the Loire Valley castles you visit.

Where is the Loire Valley?

Running for approximately 1000 kilometres (621 miles), the Loire is the longest river in France.  

There is a 280 kilometre (174 miles) stretch of the Loire Valley that has been recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site for its historical significance, charming towns and pretty chateaux. This stretch of the Loire Valley runs from Chalonnes to Sully-sur-Loire.

Loire Valley History

During the 100 Years War during the 14th and 15th centuries, the Loire valley was strategically important to the French and fortified against the English.

 After the battle of Agincourt in 1415, the English were in control of Paris.   The French did not regain control of Paris again until 1436 but the King of France decided to remain with his court in the Loire Valley.

The French monarchy felt Paris was an unpredictable capitol.  After all, it was the Parisians who had given Joan of Arc to the English to be executed.  

Considering the subsequent history of the French Revolution, the kings were right to be wary of the Parisians.  In any event, where the king went, the aristocracy followed like lemmings.  They, too, built chateaux around the Loire Valley so that they could be  near the king and the good gossip.

Why Visit These 5 Loire Valley Castles?

If you have limited time to visit the castles of Loire Valley France, you will need to limit the geographical area to visit. We focussed on the area between Blois and the city of Tours.  Within this limited area, you will find plenty of sightseeing, including (in our opinion) the five best Loire Valley castles.

Our Pick of the Five Best Castles of the Loire Valley

You wouldn’t be in the Loire Valley unless you were planning on visiting at least one French castle.  

The ancient Cathedral town of Tours is a convenient place to divide the Loire Valley if you are limited on time.  With a cluster of chateaux on each side of Tours, each chateaux cluster has winners for attractiveness and gardens. Tours is also a good transportation hub with trains and a small airport.

The Loire Valley tourism board has different types of chateaux passes depending on how many castles you want to see.  

The 5 Loire Valley castles mentioned below are on one chateaux pass and the maximum number of Loire Valley castles our children would visit without open revolt.   We stayed near Cheverny and all of these castles are an easy driving distance from each other.

Chateau du Chenonceau

Chateau de Chenonceau is one of the most visited of the castles in the Loire Valley.  Spanning the River Cher, it is beautiful and has extensive gardens.  During its heyday, it was caught in a royal love triangle between Henri II, his mistress, Diane de Poitiers and his wife, Catherine de Medici.

For kids, Chenonceau is fun to visit because it is a small chateau with pretty gardens and a garden maze. There is a handy restaurant as well as a little creperie.  You can take boat rides or hire kayaks to go along the river.

The garden of Chenonceau looking towards the castle
One of the most famous castles in the Loire Valley, Chenonceau is recognised for the gallery that spans the River Cher.

Chateau Royal de Blois

The Chateau Royal de Blois was the home of 7 French kings and the centre of a lot of intrigue.  Built around a courtyard, each wing has a different type of architecture – Gothic, Renaissance and Classical.

 Catherine de Medici (she who loved Chenonceau so much) died in the Queen’s Chamber at this chateau in 1589.  You can see her study with the secret compartments where she supposedly kept her handy supply of poisons.

For children, Blois has plenty of random things to examine.  Francois I liked to put his salamander seal everywhere.  My kids went around the castle playing find the salamander.  

This Loire valley Castle also has a great sound and light show in the evenings and is located across the square from the  highly-recommended family-friendly Museum of Magic.

The courtyard in the Blois Castle in the Loire Valley
Among the Loire Valley Castles, has four distinctive styles representing the changes from the 13th to the 17th century that it was inhabited.

Chateau de Chambord

Chateau de Chambord is the largest of the Loire valley castles with 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces and 84 staircases.

The most famous of these staircases is the double helix staircase attributed as a design of Leonardo da Vinci.  Built at the behest of Francois I as a hunting lodge, he used it for approximately 7 weeks during his reign.  For much of its life, this Loire Valley castle has lain empty because such a massive structure was hard to heat and impractical to live in.

For children, the highlight of Chambord will be climbing up and down the double helix staircase and walking around the rooftop of the chateau with its hundreds of chimneys (all those fireplaces had to lead somewhere!).

 Chambord also does regular pageants on its grounds which are geared toward showing children court life during medieval times.

The complex roof structure of the Chateau du Chambord Loire Valley
Among the castles of the Loire Valley, the hulking presence of chateau de Chambord is recognisable for its distinctive roofline.

Chateau de Cheverny

The chateau de Cheverny is still inhabited by the family that built it in the early 17th century.

When Diane de Poitiers got ejected from Chenonceau by Catherine de Medici, she was housed at Cheverny until she was finally given Chaumont. It’s not bad for temporary housing! You may recognise the middle portion as the model for the chateau that appears in The Adventures of TinTin.

This Loire Valley castle is not very big but it is an excellent example of how the aristocracy would have lived.  It is light, bright and well-furnished.  You get the sense that a real family would have lived in this chateau.  The  royal castles in the Loire Valley leave you with a sense of grandeur but feel cold and barren.  

The Chateau de Cheverny has pretty gardens and a kennel with French hounds.

the chateau de cheverny in the Loire Valley
Among the Loire Valley castles, Chateau de Cheverny has escaped any Renaissance influence.

Chateau de Chaumont

The Chateau de Chaumont is the home Diane de Poitiers eventually received from Catherine de Medici after being turfed out of Chenonceau.  

This Loire Valley Castle has beautiful gardens especially if you are skipping Villandry which is well-known for its gardens.  The Chateau itself is full of dark furniture from the 19th century .  The grounds are well-landscaped with a fabulous view of the Loire valley.

Every summer, Chaumont has a well-known international garden festival which is very family-friendly.  Weird garden design to explore – what’s not to love??  We all loved the garden festival and could easily have spent the entire day exploring it.

Chaumont the home of a royal mistress in the Loire Valley
Castles of Loire Valley France don’t come more picture perfect than Chateau de Chaumont.

Visiting the Loire Valley Castles

Here are some travel tips for visiting the Loire Valley castles including where to stay in the Loire Valley and the Loire Valley chateaux pass.

Relais de 3 Chateaux

We stayed at the Relais de Trois Chateaux which is a 4 star hotel in Cour Cheverny.  The family room has a separate room for the children.  Although the rooms are compact (you would think you were in Paris), they are beautifully decorated.  We shared one bathroom but each room had its own television.  Priorities, right?

There is no lounge/reception area worth mentioning at this hotel so you are either on your bed in your hotel room or not at the hotel.  There is plenty of parking. The WiFi is excellent. The hotel restaurant, Les Trois Merchands, is very popular in the evening and very good. Located in the tiny village of Cheverny, you are  pretty much outside the walls of the Chateau de Cheverny.

Relais des 3 chateaux near the chateau de Cheverny
The Relais des 3 Chateaux is right near the Loire Valley castle, Chateau de Cheverney.

Chateau Hotels in the Loire Valley

If you would like to stay in a chateau itself, there are several chateau hotels in the Loire Valley, such as the Chateau d’Artigny in Montbazon which is about an hour’s drive to the Loire Valley castles mentioned above. The Chateau Hotels in the Loire Valley tend to be near the area of Tours.

Other Places To Stay Near the Loire Valley Castles

These are the other options we would recommend for staying near the Loire Valley castles mentioned above.

Le Relais de Chambord lets you stay on the grounds of the UNESCO world heritage site. The house was built as kennels for the Royal hounds in the 17th century. Don’t worry, you won’t be sleeping on a dog bed! The building was converted into a hotel by a renowned French architect.

Les Sources de Cheverny is the cool sister establishment to the fabulous Les Sources de Caudalie where we have stayed. Similar to Les Sources de Caudalie, Les Sources de Cheverny is luxurious, family-friendly and has a great spa.

Hotel Anne d’Bretagne is a 3 star budget option with a fantastic location in Blois and a stellar reputation for providing value for money.

Loire Valley Chateaux Pass

You can buy the Chateaux-Pass online which should save you some time.  

Otherwise, you can buy it at the local tourist office of Blois, Cheverny, Chambord or Chaumont.  Keeping in mind that French tourist office hours may not align with your expectations, you can avoid disappointment by just buying it ahead of time.

Other Chateaux in the Loire Valley

My  husband and I have visited the chateaux on the other side of Tours on previous trips.  

  • Azay-le-Rideau is considered a masterpiece of the French Renaissance but has been undergoing renovation the last couple of years.  
  • Chateau du Villandry is best known for its French-style gardens (nothing as kooky as you find at the Garden Festival at Chaumont).  
  • According to legend, while staying at pretty Chateau d’Usse, Charles Perrault was inspired to write Sleeping Beauty.  

If you have the time (and willingness) this cluster of castles of the Loire Valley are worth exploring, too.

Loire Valley Castles Map

Here is a map of the Loire Valley chateaux as well as recommended places to stay near the Loire Valley castles.

Map of Loire Valley Castles and where to stay in the Loire Valley
Map of Loire Valley castles and where to stay nearby

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The Prettiest Luberon Villages in Provence

roadtripfrance on September 21, 2021

The Luberon valley is characterised by its picture-perfect Provence villages. It is characterized by its hilltop villages, marvelous castles and ruins, and mountains framing the vistas from side to side. Here you can hike, cycle, explore, eat, and simply get lost in the charming atmosphere of the villages and surrounding countryside. Here are 10 of prettiest Luberon Villages you need to visit on your journey through southern France. 

The Prettiest Luberon Villages

In terms of beautiful villages, Luberon is blessed with many choices. In fact, 4 of the Provence villages mentioned below make it into the official list of Most Beautiful Villages of France.

Menerbes

Like many of the Provence best villages, Menerbes sits perched on a hill from where it once served as a stronghold and lookout point during the French wars of religion between the Catholic establishment and the Huguenot (Protestant) minority. Menerbes held out for 14 months against a Catholic force of 12,000 troops.

Vineyards and cherry orchards spread out surrounding Menerbes transforming the landscape as the seasons pass. Ancient streets remain peaceful and unchanged and only a trickle of eateries, bakeries, and shops serve the population of fewer than 1000 people. 

Impressionist painter, Nicolas de Stael once lived here at the chateau du Castellet. Pablo Picasso used to visit his mistress who lived here in Menerbes. More recently, Menerbes shot to fame as the home of Peter Mayle who in his best-selling 1989 memoir, A Year in Provence, mythologised life in the Luberon villages.

Make your way through the charming 16th-century alleys to see why it’s on the official list of the Most Beautiful Villages of France.

winding street in the village of Menerbes in Provence France
One of the most beautiful villages Provence offers, Menerbes rose to fame thanks to Peter Mayle’s memoir.

Isle Sur La Sorgue

This is one of the larger Luberon villages and the focal point is the tranquil Sorgue River that meanders through the heart of the village. You will be hypnotized by the water wheels still diligently powering away as the stream passes by. 

The café’s lining the waterside lend a romantic atmosphere to the already enchanting village but what draws the most attention are the antique stores strewn across town.

Isle Sur La Sorgue is renowned for its produce markets, flea markets, bargain shops, and vintage finds but also has plenty of chic boutiques. Isle Sur La Sorgue is one of the best Luberon villages for shopping.

cafe seatings around water at Isle Sur La Sorgue
Provence villages don’t come any prettier than Isle Sur La Sorgue aka the Venice of Provence.

Fontaine de Vaucluse

The Vaucluse Mountains serve as the backdrop to this tiny village and it is also here where the Vaucluse spring originates that becomes the River Sorgue that flows through the village.. The spring is over 200m up in the mountain and is one of the top places to see in the area. 

Hikers love the rocky surroundings but in the village, there is also plenty to see and do. Visit local craftsmen or the various museums and ruins. One of the attractions in the town is a house belonging to the poet Petrarch.

The Tour de France 2021 went through Fontaine de Vaucluse this summer on one of its stages.

The river Sorgue springs from Fontaine du Vaucluse in Provence
Thanks to these mountainous villages, Luberon roads are often chosen to be part of the Tour de France.

Roussillon

Easily one of the most beautiful villages in Provence, Roussillon sits in the central northwest of Luberon. It is unmissable and the towering cliffs packed with ochre deposits make for a spectacular feature. These red cliffs are starkly contrasted by the surrounding lush greenery and remnants of the quarries can still be visited. 

The town is bursting with art galleries and restaurants hidden in its alleyways. Make sure to visit the “Conservatoire des Ocres et des Pigments Appliqués” in an old ochre factory to understand more about this natural substance which made this town famous.

Local Color!

Legend says the area’s red tint is a result of a tragic love story. The Lord of Roussillon had a wife who cheated on him with a troubadour. The husband is unamused and serves her the lover’s heart for dinner. When she finds out what her amuse bouche really was, she’s aghast. She throws herself from the top of the cliff colouring the area below with shades of red blood for all time.

the coloured houses of Roussillon in Provence France
The pastel coloured hues of Roussillon make it one of the most beautiful villages in Provence.

Gordes

Gordes is one of the most iconic hilltop villages in the valley and spills down the side of a massive calcareous hill. The focal point at the top of the hill is the Chateau de Gordes, standing proud after more than 500 years. 

In the valley below, vineyards dominate the landscape with interspersing small forests opposing the manicured farmland. It’s another one of the official Most Beautiful Villages in France.

The Gordes town market is one of the most popular events and takes place every Thursday morning. Vendors take to the streets around the castle to sell an assortment of linens, produce, crafts, and treats.

view of Luberon in Provence from the viewpoint
Not only considered the most beautiful village in Provence, Gordes has plenty to do for such a small village.

Lourmarin

Peeking out just past the yellowing vineyards you will see provincial clay roofs, a couple of distinct belfries, and a dramatic framework of mountains in the back. The town is situated on two slight elevations, the village on the one and the Villa Medicis de Provence (a Renaissance chateau) on the other.  Lourmarin is another one of the official Most Beautiful Villages in France.

Once in the village, you will fall in love with the cobbled streets lined with cafes and restaurants, everything from simple local cuisine to renowned Michelin-star dining.  Like many villages in the area, Lourmarin also has a famed market which is held on Friday mornings. 

Lourmarin is famous for being the home of Albert Camus, Nobel Prize winning French philosopher and author. He is also buried in Lourmarin after dying in a car crash at the age of 46 on his way from Lourmarin to Paris with his publisher.

donkeys in front of the Renaissance chateau at Lourmarin in Luberon Provence
Lourmarin is one of the best Luberon villages to explore if you have accessibility issues because it is not on a hilltop.

Lacoste

Time stands still in the village of Lacoste, one of Luberon’s smallest. Here you will wander aimlessly through the labyrinth of cobbled streets to admire the carefully restored houses and buildings that date back centuries.

The main attraction is the Château de Lacoste that sits at the top of the village overlooking the valley below. A hulking ruin, The Chateau de Lacoste was the home of the Marquis de Sade who spent considerable time practicing what he preached in its walls. When he wasn’t locked up in Paris, he spent time at his chateau pursuing the art of pleasure.

The Chateau was purchased by Pierre Cardin in 2001 and restored to be used as a concert space. It is open to the public from July to August and hosts art walks, concerts, and cultural events. 

Other notable things that happened in Lacoste over the years:

  • Lacoste was part of the French Wars of the Religion and the site of a well-known massacre of Huguenots.
  • The narrow streets of Lacoste made it perfect as a hideout for the French Resistance during World War 2.
  • More recently, Lacoste was the home of Sir Tom Stoppard, British playwright and screenwriter, who wrote Academy Award winning, Shakespeare in Love.
high stone walls in a lane in Lacoste in the Luberon in Provence
From the narrow streets of Lacoste, you can see in the distance, another of the villages Luberon is famous for.

Bonnieux

You can’t miss the beacon of Bonnieux’s church tower, visible from miles away. Fitting, seeing as this has been a papal town for almost 500 years. The steep streets lead you through classic provincial houses and close to 100 steps take you up the Old Church, or La Vieille Église. 

A quirky attraction here is the Boulangerie Museum, dedicated to the art of baking and bread making. If that leaves you hungry, visit any of the marvelous restaurants in the town center serving delicious and fresh traditional meals. 

Bonnieux is officially one of the most beautiful villages in France as well. From the top of Bonnieux, you have a clear view of Mount Ventoux, nicknamed the Giant of Provence. Mount Ventoux has been made famous through its inclusion in the Tour de France.

Director Ridley Scott filmed A Good Year (2006), the screen version of Peter Mayle’s memoir A Year in Provence, in Bonnieux.

the church spire rising above the village of Bonnieux in the Luberon of Provence
Any Provence best villages list must include Bonnieux which is film-set perfect.

Cucuron

On the southern slopes of the Luberon mountain range is one of the liveliest small Provence villages in the area. Year-round the village attracts visitors who want to explore its medieval streets. You enter the old town through fortified gateways, like something out of a fairy-tale. 

The Church of Notre Dame de Beaulieu has a decorative bellower and magnificent nave that are not to be missed. The gardens of the Pavillon de Galon are also a hit, showcasing a contemporary take on iconic French gardens. In Place de l’Etang, the busiest part of town, you can enjoy the postcard-perfect image of colorful houses lined up around the pond. 

Cucuron also appeared in the 2006 movie, A Good Year.

The pond at Cucuron in the Vaucluse
Cucuron’s small pond lined with centuries-old plane trees make it one of the most beautiful villages in Provence.

Ansouis

When in Provence, you will seldom grow tired of the spectacular castles, fortresses, and ruins that most villages were built around. The castle of Ansouis is a splendid and well-preserved structure that is 1000 years old. The Sabran family that owned this castle were also powerful and well-connected in medieval times having produced, e.g., two saints, a Queen of France, Queen of England and a Pope.

Similarly, the gardens of the castle are tranquil and inspiring. Another of the village’s well known attractions is the quirky Musée Extraordinaire, a whimsical exploration of science, art, and geology through the eyes of painter and diver, Georges Mazoyer. It houses things he found on his dives as well fossils from the area.

vineyards in the countryside in front of the hilltop village of Ansouis in Luberon in Provence France
Provence villages like Ansouis are surrounded by vineyards and orchards adding to their picturesque charm.

Map of Luberon Villages

Here’s a map of Luberon Villages for your road trip in France planning purposes.

France Travel Tips

We stayed in Gordes and did day trips in the Luberon visiting Provence villages that were located close together. For example:

  • L’isle Sur La Sorgue and Fontaine de Vaucluse are a natural day trip from Gordes.
  • Menerbes, Lacoste and Bonnieux make another good cluster to visit.
  • Lourmarin, Cucoron and Ansouis are a good day trip on the far side of the Luberon Nature Park.
Map of suggested Luberon Villages to visit in Provence
Map of suggested Luberon Villages to visit in Provence

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We did not receive compensation of any form, monetary or otherwise, from any of the products, services, hotels  etc mentioned in this article.

This site generates income via partnerships with carefully-curated travel and lifestyle brands and/or purchases made through links to them at no extra cost to you. More information may be found on our Disclosure Policy.