Spanning over 280 kilometers of the longest river in central France, the Loire Valley, or Vallée de la Loire, is home to an astonishing 80 recorded châteaux.
So do yourself a favor and add a few extra days to your France itinerary, so that you can visit at least a handful of splendid castles in Loire Valley.
Here is our list of the top 10 best Loire Valley châteaux – hand-picked just for you.
Our Guide to the Best Châteaux of the Loire Valley
Wondering which are the best chateaux to see in the Loire Valley?
If you want to know which castles are our favorites, watch our quick video of our top picks here.
For a personal selection of the best châteaux to visit in Loire Valley, take a look at our list of the top 10 Loire Valley castles.
1. Château de Chambord
The Château de Chambord may just hold the crown as the best château in Loire Valley!
One of the castle’s most memorable features is the intricate double-helix staircase. Inside you can see intricately woven tapestries that document kings hunting expeditions.
As the biggest château in France, and the most magnificent, it was constructed by King Francois I in 1519.
While the interior is spectacular, the rooftop holds its own! It was designed to look like the skyline of Constantinople with a collection of impressive spires and chimneys.
2. Château de Chenonceau
Built in the early 1500s by Thomas Bohier, the château is now a historical site.
What will attract you the most is the guards’ room, with its 16th-century fireplace, decorated by 16th-century tapestries, and a showing of exposed ceiling joists bearing the mark of ‘C’ for Catherine de Medici.
With a vast history, exquisite artwork, and tapestries, as well as gardens that will take your breath away, the château is truly spectacular!
Make sure to enjoy the audio tour inside the castle if you want to learn more about its fascinating history.
3. Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire
The stunning Château de Chaumont truly looks like a castle on the hill, where it’s surrounded by a lush park.
Rebuilt a few years after Louis XI had the château burned and razed to the ground in 1465, the restored chateau is now famous for its yearly garden festival.
With a breathtaking view of the Loire from the once ‘north wing’, the Château de Chaumont also hosts works of incredible architecture.
The art gallery in the loft shows what the non-accessible areas look like, and the pepperpot riding school is a stunning piece of engineering for its time.
4. Château de Cheverny
The exquisite hunting palace just outside of Blois looks like it comes straight out of a painting, and you can explore storied rooms that have been virtually unchanged for generations.
Built by the architect Jacques Bougier between 1620 and 1640, it was a pioneer of the French style that had developed during the reign of Louis XIV (or the Sun King).
As one of the first châteaux to become open to the public, the castle is renowned for its unmissable collection of furniture, tapestries, and objects d’art.
5. Château de Sully-sur-Loire
This castle has had a long and remarkable history filled with changes of ownership, war, and fires, and was even occupied by German soldiers during WWII.
The most noteworthy of which includes the chemin de ronde (patrol route), the Tenture de Psyché tapestry, the château’s 14th-century barrel-vaulted ceiling, as well as the grave of the Sully himself.
The visitor route is well maintained, and it will guide you past an range of historic paintings and tapestries, amidst period furnishings in opulent rooms that once housed French aristocracy.
6. Château de Villandry
Built by Jean Le Briton, one of Francoise I’s finance ministers in 1536, the château and gardens you see today make for a spectacular sight.
The inner noteworthy features that might appeal to you are the oriental drawing room and an artwork display in the gallery.
There is also an intricate Louis XV staircase, which has the initials of Michel-Ange de Castellane intertwined into the banisters. But what will really sweep you off your feet is the climb to the top of the tower!
7. Château of Amboise
Built as a strategic viewpoint as early as the Neolithic period (the last period of the Stone Age), the Château of Amboise only saw prominence in the 6th century when King Clovis of France took up arms against the Visigoths.
The garden itself almost forms part of the castle itself, and you can pay a visit to the remarkable 3D re-creation in the Orangery where you can discover more of the château’s past.
The quaint ruins of the Chapel of St Florentine are another memorable feature on the grounds, which has become famous as the resting place of Leonardo da Vinci.
8. Château de Blois
The Château de Blois acts as a beautiful illustration of French building styles from the middle ages to the 17th century.
Experience the breathtaking Stateroom, a riot of color and intricate designs.
You can also enjoy a fascinating walk through the Architecture Rooms which house different examples of original sculptures from across the château grounds.
9. Château d’Azay le Rideau
A hybrid of classical French tradition and Italian décor, the Château d’Azay le Rideau was built on an island in the Indre River.
Under the patronage of King Francois, the château was built on the site of an ancient fortress, but remained incomplete, leaving it with a remarkable but accidental L-shaped exterior.
The incredibly picturesque Château d’Azay le Rideau is an exceptional piece of heritage, that has monumental worth in the field of French historical archiving.
10. Château du Clos Lucé
This pink-bricked chateau is straight from a storybook, overlooking lush green lawns. It is famous for being the official residence of Leonardo da Vinci, where he spent his final years creating and building.
Today, the château is a museum that houses 40 models of machines designed by da Vinci.
Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years here (1516 -1519), and the site of the manor dates back to the 12th century when it was surrounded by fortifications, of which only the watchtower remains.
Incredible Loire Valley Tours You Might Be Interested In
After a quick list of some fantastic tours in the Loire Valley? Here are the top picks.
Hot-Air Balloon Ride over the Loire Valley
- 3-hour hot-air balloon experience
- Float over the UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Loire Valley
- Float over the Chateau of Chenonceau or the gardens of Villandry
- Choose between a sunrise or sunset flight
Loire Valley 2 Days Private Tour
- All-inclusive tour from Paris
- Visit Chambord, Bois, and Clos Lucé Castles
- Accommodation, transfers, tickets, and meals are all included
Castle Photo Shoot in Amboise
- Photoshoot from an award-winning photographer
- Online viewing gallery to choose your top picks
- 20 photos chosen by you, retouched, available for digital download
Final Thoughts On The Best Loire Valley Chateaux
Which do you think are the best châteaux in the Loire Valley? These French landmarks are all beautiful and worth seeing.
Exploring the must-see châteaux in Loire Valley is a truly magical experience. From Chambord to Chaumont and Chenonceau, each castle has its own unique beauty that will leave you in awe.
So if you haven’t already explored them, make sure to add them to your itinerary next time!
