Free walking tours in Blois and what to see

Must-sees

Blois looks out over the Loire from a hill, halfway between Orléans and Tours, in the valley listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its royal château was home to seven kings and ten queens of France, and the curious thing is that each wing belongs to a different era: the medieval States General hall; the Louis XII wing, in late Gothic brick and stone; the Renaissance Francis I wing, with its famous spiral staircase open to the courtyard; and the classical Gaston d’Orléans wing, by François Mansart. The Duke of Guise was murdered here on the orders of Henry III.

Opposite the château is the House of Magic, devoted to the illusionist Robert-Houdin, born in the town, with dragons peering out of the façade’s windows. Then it is worth getting lost in the old town, with half-timbered houses, Renaissance mansions and stairways leading down to the river, such as the Denis-Papin staircase. Climb up to Saint-Louis cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace gardens, with views of the Loire and the Jacques-Gabriel bridge.

Free tours and guided visits

Blois has no regular free walking tours. What Civitatis offers revolves around the château: skip-the-line tickets to visit on your own and the sound and light show projected onto the courtyard façades at night. There is also a beer tasting at a craft brewery near Chambord. Blois is also a good base for trips to other nearby châteaux, such as Chambord, Cheverny and Chaumont-sur-Loire.

How long to spend

A full day is enough for the château, the House of Magic and a stroll around the old town. If you want to see the night show, stay over. With two or three days you can use the town as a base for visiting Chambord, Cheverny and Chaumont, a short drive away or reachable by shuttle bus in season, and cycle a stretch of the Loire route.

Where to stay

The most practical place to stay is the old town or near the château, with small hotels, guesthouses and apartments and everything within walking distance. Next to the station there are comfortable hotels if you arrive by train. On the opposite bank, the Vienne district is quieter and has views of the town. If you are driving, the country cottages around Chambord and Cheverny are another option.