Journal
Loire Valley castles guides
106 articles to prepare your stay: itineraries, châteaux, food, cycling, wine, families, remote work. Written from Meung-sur-Loire.
Itineraries
15 articles
A 2-day express weekend in the Loire châteaux from Paris: the duo not to miss
Two days is short, but more than enough to taste the magic of the Loire châteaux if you choose well. Here is my express, realistic itinerary from Paris, the duo to favour, and why sleeping at the centre, in Meung-sur-Loire, changes everything.
A full week in the Loire châteaux: 7 days of slow travel from a single base
Seven days is the luxury of seeing everything without rushing. Here is my complete itinerary for living the Loire châteaux at the pace of slow travel, from a single base in Meung-sur-Loire, blending great sites, hidden gems, gastronomy, cycling and genuine rest.
The Loire châteaux at autumn half-term: the underrated season everyone overlooks
Autumn is my favourite season for sharing the Loire Valley. Halloween events in the châteaux, blazing forests, the last of the deer rut and gentle prices: here is how to enjoy a half-term week from La Maison du Château in Meung-sur-Loire.
First time in the Loire Valley châteaux: the reassuring guide for beginners
Three hundred châteaux and dozens of possible itineraries: for a first time, the Loire can intimidate. Do not worry. Here is a simple, reassuring guide to knowing where to start, how many châteaux to see a day and which beginner's mistakes to avoid.
Where to stay to visit the Loire Valley châteaux? A comparison of the best bases
Choosing where to sleep is the decision that weighs most on a successful château trip. Too far west and you give up Chambord; too far east and you give up Chenonceau. Here is a frank comparison of the main bases and why a central point between Orléans and Blois changes everything.
Loire Valley châteaux in 5 days: the ideal itinerary from a single base at Meung-sur-Loire
Five days is the length that changes everything: enough to see the greatest châteaux without rushing, and to savour the river, the vineyards and the Sologne. Here is a day-by-day programme built around a single base, at Meung-sur-Loire, so you never have to repack.
Route Jacques-Coeur: 3-Day Road Trip Through Berry (10 Châteaux + Bourges)
An hour south of the grand Loire châteaux, the Berry hides the Jacques-Coeur Route: 180 km, 10 secret châteaux, Noirlac Cistercian Abbey, Sancerre vineyards, capital Bourges.
Visiting the Loire Châteaux in Spring: the Most Beautiful Season
From March to June, the Loire Valley awakens: gardens in bloom, the tulips of Cheverny, soft light and châteaux less crowded. Spring is, to my mind, the most beautiful season to discover the region.
Loire Valley Day Trip from Paris: The Ultimate TGV Guide 2026
A Loire Valley day trip from Paris is technically doable. Here are the three TGV plans that work in 2026, their real budgets (95 to 195 euros), and our insider tip.
Loire Valley in Autumn: 12 Golden Landscapes to Discover from October to November
From October to mid-November, the Loire Valley shifts into a palette of ochre, copper and rust. Here are our 12 favorite spots to capture this all-too-short season from your base in Meung-sur-Loire.
Loire castles weekend by train from Paris
You can visit the most beautiful Loire châteaux without renting a car. Here's how, from Paris, in 2 days, without missing the essentials.
Loire Valley châteaux in 4 days
Four days is the sweet spot for visiting the essential châteaux without rushing, while keeping time for the Loire and local food.
The 10 most beautiful Loire châteaux
Of the 300 châteaux in the Loire Valley, ten truly deserve a dedicated visit. Here's our selection, from the great classics to the confidential gems.
The Loire Valley in winter
Winter is the most under-used season in the Loire Valley. It's also when the châteaux are nearly empty and the mist on the Loire becomes magical.
When to visit the Loire châteaux
The Loire Valley changes radically by season. Here's a month-by-month guide to pick the right time for your traveller profile.
Châteaux
25 articles
Visiting the Château de la Ferté-Saint-Aubin in the Sologne, a lived-in home ideal with children
There are châteaux you look at, and others you live in. At la Ferté-Saint-Aubin, you smell the madeleines in the kitchens, the children explore freely and the house still breathes. Here is one of my travellers' favourite family outings from La Maison du Château.
Visiting the Château de Gien, its renowned faience works and its old town on the banks of the Loire
Heading up the Loire to the east, a city of red brick watches over the river from the days of Anne de Beaujeu. Between château, hunting museum, famous faience works and old bridge, here is why Gien is worth the detour from La Maison du Château.
Visiting the Château de Talcy, the preserved home of the poet Ronsard, away from the Loire crowds
Just forty minutes from the house hides a small château that time seems to have spared. Linked to the poet Ronsard and his Cassandre, with a dovecote and a conservation orchard, Talcy is the authentic escape of stays at La Maison du Château.
Visiting the Château du Rivau, a medieval fortress and remarkable gardens on a fairy-tale theme
There is a château where Tom Thumb, Sleeping Beauty and fragrant roses inhabit the gardens. Between medieval fortress and fourteen fairy-tale gardens, here is why Le Rivau enchants families staying at La Maison du Château.
Sainte-Croix Cathedral in Orléans: the Gothic jewel everyone underrates
Twenty-five minutes from the house, an immense cathedral tells eight centuries of history and Joan of Arc’s whole epic in its windows. Here is why I send every one of my guests to see it.
Visiting the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, necropolis of the Plantagenets and largest monastic city in Europe
To the west of the Loire Valley lies an entire dynasty of kings. Between the effigies of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart, the Romanesque kitchens and the contemporary art, here is how to experience Fontevraud from La Maison du Château.
The Loire Valley, UNESCO World Heritage: understanding and savouring a living landscape
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2000, the Loire Valley is not just a collection of châteaux: it is a living cultural landscape, from Chalonnes to Sully-sur-Loire. Here is why this unique listing exists and how to make the most of it from Meung-sur-Loire.
The Pagoda of Chanteloup, a Chinese surprise near Amboise
In the open countryside near Amboise rises a 44-metre Chinese pagoda, the last remnant of a vanished château. Quirky, romantic and perfect for an afternoon outdoors with the family.
Chambord vs Versailles: Which Château to Choose for Your Weekend (Complete Comparison)
Chambord vs Versailles: the debate has divided heritage lovers for three centuries. One a Renaissance manifesto by a 25-year-old king. The other an absolutist power machine.
The Château de Beauregard and its Gallery of Illustrious Figures
Beauregard is my best-kept secret: a small, intimate château tucked into the woods, home to one of the most extraordinary portrait galleries in Europe. And almost nobody knows it.
Visiting the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire
Many come to Chaumont-sur-Loire for the Garden Festival and leave without seeing the château. A mistake: this balcony above the Loire is well worth the visit in its own right.
Visiting the Château de Sully-sur-Loire
Sully-sur-Loire is the storybook fortress: stout round towers, water-filled moats, a drawbridge. And it is the closest château to our house, barely 35 minutes away.
Visiting Valençay: the Princely Home of Talleyrand
On the edge of the Berry, Valençay weds the majesty of the Renaissance to the splendour of the First Empire. Home of Talleyrand, this château with its vast gardens was a stage for European diplomacy.
Visiting the Royal Fortress of Chinon: in the Footsteps of Joan of Arc
Perched on its rocky spur above the Vienne, the royal fortress of Chinon is one of the great landmarks of French history: it was here that Joan of Arc recognised Charles VII in 1429.
Visiting Langeais: the Medieval Fortress that Married Two Realms
Two faces: a fortress with a drawbridge on the town side, a Renaissance residence on the garden side. Langeais preserves the setting of the marriage of Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany, the act that joined Brittany to France in 1491.
Visiting Azay-le-Rideau: the Renaissance Jewel Set on the Indre
More intimate than Chenonceau and purer than most, Azay-le-Rideau seems to float on the Indre. A masterpiece of the early French Renaissance, with its water mirror and carved grand staircase.
Visiting Villandry: the Loire's Most Beautiful Renaissance Garden
You do not come to Villandry for the château but for its gardens, among the finest in Europe. Four terraces of living embroidery, a kitchen garden turned artwork, and the Loire light.
Cheverny and Marlinspike: The Truth About the Château That Inspired Tintin (Hergé Never Visited)
Cheverny is Captain Haddock's Marlinspike Hall. All Tintin fans know it — and three million of them make the pilgrimage every year. Yet Hergé never set foot at Cheverny.
Visit Chambord: complete guide
Chambord is the most visited château in the Loire — therefore the most exposed to mass tourism. Here's how to really enjoy it.
Visit Chenonceau
Chenonceau is arguably the most photogenic château in the Loire. It's also the most visited after Versailles. Here's how to make the most of it.
Visit Cheverny
Cheverny is different. It's a lived-in château, by the same family for six centuries. And it's the model for Captain Haddock's Marlinspike Hall in Tintin.
Amboise and Clos Lucé
Amboise is where Leonardo da Vinci lived and died. Visiting the royal château and Clos Lucé is walking through the genius's last years.
Visit the royal Château of Blois
Blois is the unique château where four architectural styles cohabit. A French history lesson in stone, in one visit.
The Final 3 Years of Leonardo da Vinci at Clos Lucé: An Investigation Into the Genius in Exile
In 1516, Leonardo was 64, his right hand paralyzed, his Italian patrons gone. Francis I, 22, offered him Amboise. Leonardo accepted, crossed the Alps on a mule with three paintings including the Mona Lisa.
Diane de Poitiers vs Catherine de Medici: The True Story of the Rivalry That Shaped Chenonceau
Two women, one king, one château. For thirty years, the mistress and the humiliated queen waged a war of influence at Chenonceau whose traces are still visible in the stone.
Activities
37 articles
The shops of Meung-sur-Loire: boutiques, artisans and local favourites in my village
Guests often ask me where to do the shopping, find a gift or treat themselves to a gourmet break. Here is my complete guide to the shops of Meung-sur-Loire: food artisans, boutiques, the market and the terraces — almost all on foot from La Maison du Château.
Evening visits to the Loire châteaux in summer: the magic after sunset
When the evenings stretch out, the Loire châteaux take on a second life after nightfall. Lit gardens set to music, son et lumière, evening strolls: here is my host guide to the finest after-dark visits, setting off from Meung-sur-Loire.
Where to eat near Chambord: restaurants, inns and picnics between Chambord and Cheverny
A day at Chambord and Cheverny calls for a fine gourmet pause. Here is my practical guide to eating well near Chambord: the restaurants of Bracieux including a starred one, country inns, a picnic in the estate and good addresses, 45 minutes from Meung-sur-Loire.
Kayak, canoe and paddleboard on the Loire and the Cher: descents, hire and the finest sections
Seeing a château from the water, drifting with the current, changes everything. Kayak, canoe or paddleboard: here is my guide to descents on the Loire and the Cher around Meung-sur-Loire, from the finest sections to safety on a wild river.
The riverside guinguettes of the Loire: eating with your feet in the sand around Meung-sur-Loire
Loire fried fish, terraces by the water and a relaxed summer atmosphere: the guinguette is the soul of the Loire summer. Here is my guide to the riverside guinguettes of the Loire around Meung-sur-Loire, Orléans and Beaugency, to taste the true art of living of the river.
Fishing the Loire and its tributaries: spots around Meung, species and fishing permit
The Loire is one of the last great wild rivers in Europe, and a paradise for anglers. Zander, pike, catfish or a simple catch of small fry: here is my guide to fishing around Meung-sur-Loire and Beaugency, from the permit to the best spots.
Where to eat in Meung-sur-Loire and around: my favourite host picks, a walk from La Maison du Château
I am asked almost every evening where to go for dinner. Here is my food-lover's guide to Meung-sur-Loire and its surroundings: restaurants, bistros, crêperies, bakeries and the Sunday market, most of them walking distance from the house.
Gâtinais saffron: on the trail of red gold a stone's throw from Orléans
Near Orléans, a rare and precious spice is being reborn, grown here since the Middle Ages: Gâtinais saffron. Here is my guide to this Loire "red gold": history, saffron farms to visit, the October harvest, uses in cooking and producers, about 40 minutes from Meung-sur-Loire.
The finest formal French gardens of the Loire châteaux: box-hedge embroidery and topiary
The Loire Valley is arguably the most beautiful open-air museum of the formal French garden. Villandry, Chenonceau, Chamerolles, Beauregard: here is my host selection for enthusiasts, with the ideal seasons and the distances from Meung-sur-Loire.
Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas: the great red wines of the Loire to discover
Little known yet excellent, the cabernet franc reds of Touraine are among the finest wines of the Loire. Here is my guide to Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil: troglodyte cellars, food pairings and estates to visit, about 1h20 from Meung-sur-Loire.
Treetop adventure parks in the Loiret: the ideal family day between two châteaux
Between two château visits, nothing lets children burn off energy better than an afternoon in the trees. Ziplines, monkey bridges and courses suited to every age: here is my guide to treetop adventure around Meung-sur-Loire for a successful family day.
Loire by Bike: the Meung-sur-Loire to Orléans stage (and towards Beaugency), starting from my door
This is the stage I suggest first to my cycling guests: flat, signposted and dotted with ferries and dykes, it links Meung-sur-Loire to Orléans in a single morning. Here is my full guide, kilometre by kilometre, starting from La Maison du Château.
Crémant de Loire and sparkling wines: the Loire bubbles to discover near Meung-sur-Loire
The Loire Valley produces some of the finest sparkling wines in France, elegant and gently priced. Here is my guide to Crémant de Loire and Loire sparkling wines: the method, the differences, cellars to visit and food pairings, about an hour from Meung-sur-Loire.
European Heritage Days in the Loire châteaux: the weekend not to miss
One weekend a year, in September, the châteaux throw their doors wide open: free entry, behind-the-scenes spaces closed the rest of the year and rare tours. Here is how to make the most of it from the house.
Saint-Mesmin nature reserve: the wild Loire on our doorstep
Terns, beavers, sandy shoals and secret islands: just downstream of the house, the Loire unfolds one of its loveliest wild sanctuaries. A nature reserve I recommend to every guest who loves birds.
Tarte Tatin: Investigation in Lamotte-Beuvron, Where France's Favorite Dessert Was Born
Tarte Tatin: everyone knows it, few know its true history. Investigation in Lamotte-Beuvron in the Sologne, where two sisters invented in 1898 France's favorite dessert.
Orléans Forest: the largest state forest in France on our doorstep
Thirty-five thousand hectares of oaks, ponds and wild trails stretch just north of the Loire. For my guests in search of nature and silence, it is the ideal playground a few minutes from the house.
Christmas markets around Meung-sur-Loire in 2026: Orléans, Blois and Vendôme compared
When the châteaux light up, the towns of the Loire Valley bring out their chalets and their mulled wine. Here is my comparative guide to the finest Christmas markets within reach of La Maison du Château in Meung-sur-Loire, to choose the one that suits you.
Parc Floral de la Source in Orléans: 35 hectares of nature for the whole family
A rose garden, a tropical butterfly house, the mysterious source of the Loiret and animals roaming free: half an hour from the house, the Parc Floral delights young and old in every season.
The remarkable gardens of the Loire Valley: kitchen gardens, rose gardens and mazes not to miss
The Loire Valley is also a paradise for lovers of botany. From the embroidered parterres of Villandry to the Chaumont Festival, here are the finest remarkable gardens to discover from La Maison du Château in Meung-sur-Loire, and the ideal season for each.
The son et lumière shows of the Loire châteaux: night-time magic, a practical guide
When night falls, the Loire châteaux blaze into life. Giant projections, costumed actors and luminous spectacles turn the façades into living stages. Here is how to choose your son et lumière show from La Maison du Château in Meung-sur-Loire.
Swimming and the Loire riverside in summer: beaches, canoeing and guinguettes around Meung-sur-Loire
Between two châteaux, the river becomes a celebration. Supervised beaches, water-sports bases, canoeing with the current and guinguettes at sunset: here is how to cool off and enjoy the Loire riverside in summer around Meung-sur-Loire and Beaugency, in complete safety.
Flying over the Loire Châteaux by Hot-Air Balloon: the Experience of a Lifetime
Watching Chambord reveal itself beneath your feet at sunrise has no equal. The Loire Valley is one of the finest regions in the world for ballooning: here is everything to make your flight a success from our house.
ZooParc de Beauval from the Châteaux of the Loire: the Perfect Family Day Out
Regularly ranked among the finest zoos in the world, Beauval is the ideal family escape between two châteaux. Giant pandas, koalas, tropical greenhouses and shows: here is how to plan it from our house.
The Sologne, land of ponds and forests: wildlife, the deer rut and hunting châteaux
Just 40 minutes from Meung-sur-Loire begins another world: the Sologne, a vast mosaic of ponds, forests and heaths, mysterious and wild. Here is how to explore it, watch its wildlife and experience the unforgettable deer rut.
The Robert-Houdin House of Magic in Blois
Facing the royal Château of Blois, six dragons burst from the windows of a curious building every half-hour. Welcome to the House of Magic, an ideal family outing and the perfect refuge on a rainy day.
The gourmet specialities of Orléans and the Loiret: vinegar, cotignac and treasures of the Gâtinais
Just 25 minutes from Meung-sur-Loire, Orléans hides a little-known food heritage: vinegar aged the old way, royal quince paste, candied pear, Gâtinais honeys. Here are the specialities to taste and the best places to take them home from.
Vouvray, the capital of Loire bubbles: chenin, troglodyte cellars and tasting
Just 1h10 from Meung-sur-Loire, Vouvray is the kingdom of chenin blanc and the fine bubbles of Touraine. Between cellars carved into the tuffeau and tastings from dry to sweet, here is how to explore this chameleon appellation.
Sancerre and its wine route: sauvignon blanc, hilltop village and cellars to visit
Perched on its hill above the Loire, Sancerre produces one of the most famous sauvignon blancs in the world. Just 1h15 from Meung-sur-Loire, here is how to follow its wine route, choose your estates and nail the local pairing.
The 5 AOP goat cheeses of the Loire Valley: a guide to the terroirs, wine pairings and farms to visit
The Loire Valley is the cradle of French goat cheese, with five AOP appellations sharing its slopes. Here is the map of the terroirs, the pairings that sing and the farms where you can buy direct, all within a short drive of La Maison du Château.
Loire Valley Grape Harvest 2026: 8 Estates That Open Their Doors
From late August to mid-October, the Loire Valley vineyards enter their moment of truth. For a few persevering amateurs, it is the rare chance to pick yourself at prestigious estates.
Loire by Bike: stages and tips
Loire by Bike is one of the most beautiful cycle routes in Europe. Here's how to tackle it based on your level and available time.
Loire Valley wines: 8 wineries to visit
The Loire Valley is France's third wine region and one of the most diverse. Here are eight producers to discover on a weekend.
Michelin restaurants in the Loire Valley
The Loire Valley has around twenty Michelin stars and as many quiet chef-led bistros. Here's our tested selection.
Loire Valley markets
Going to the market is understanding a region in two hours. Here are the best Loire Valley markets and what to find.
Canoeing on the Loire and water activities
The Loire is Europe's last great wild river. Paddling on it is one of the most beautiful ways to understand it.
International Garden Festival of Chaumont-sur-Loire 2026: "The Garden Goes to the Movies"
Since 1992, the Chaumont Garden Festival has become the global rendezvous of contemporary landscape design. For 2026, "The Garden Goes to the Movies" promises spectacular installations inspired by great films.
Themes
29 articles
Flea markets, car-boot sales and antiques in the Loire Valley: hunting for furniture and Gien faience
Bargain-hunting in the Loire Valley is one of my favourite weekend pastimes, and the one I recommend to guests who love beautiful things. Great fairs, antique-dealer villages, Gien faience: here is my full guide, setting off from Meung-sur-Loire.
Golf in the Loire Valley: the best courses for a golf-and-château break
The Loire Valley is a well-kept secret among golfers: courses laid out in the forest, a mild climate and châteaux within reach of the fairway. Here is my selection of the finest greens around Meung-sur-Loire, for a break combining sport and heritage.
Visiting the Loire châteaux by motorhome: service points, parking and itinerary
The Loire Valley is an ideal playground for the motorhome: short distances, an ever-present river and châteaux close together. Here is my full guide to the service areas, suitable car parks and a smooth itinerary, with La Maison du Château in Meung-sur-Loire as a possible base.
Valentine's weekend in the Loire Valley: the ideal romantic stay around Chenonceau
For Valentine's Day, the Loire Valley unfolds all its charm: ladies' châteaux, candlelit dinners, spas and hot-air balloon flights. Here is how to build an unforgettable weekend for two from La Maison du Château in Meung-sur-Loire.
Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire Abbey: Attend Gregorian Chants in 2026
35 minutes from Meung-sur-Loire, Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire Abbey (known as "Fleury") houses the second tomb of Saint Benedict and keeps alive 1,100 years of uninterrupted Gregorian chant.
Legends, ghosts and mysteries of the Loire châteaux: thrills and history at the fireside
Behind the beauty of the stone lie tragedies, crimes and ghosts. White Lady, dark astrology and oubliettes: October is the perfect season to explore the shadowy side of the Loire châteaux from La Maison du Château in Meung-sur-Loire.
Visiting the Loire châteaux on a budget: the guide to tips that actually work
The Loire châteaux are not reserved for deep pockets. Combined passes, free grounds, picnics and shared accommodation: here is how to give the whole tribe a fine stay without blowing the budget, from La Maison du Château.
What to do in the Loire châteaux when it rains: turning a grey day into an asset
A shower is not a wasted day in the Loire Valley. Between sumptuous interiors, troglodyte cellars and museums kept dry, here is how to make a rainy day the finest memory of your stay at La Maison du Château.
Visiting Loire Valley Châteaux with Your Dog: The 2026 List by Access Level
Visiting the Loire Valley châteaux with your dog in 2026 is possible — provided you know each site's policy. Here is the complete list of 15 dog-friendly châteaux classified by access level.
Loire Châteaux Parking: Free, Paid, and Tips to Avoid Traffic Jams
Parking at Loire Valley châteaux has become a headache. Here is the 2026 practical guide with local tips to save 1 hour every day and up to 30 euros per visit.
Organising a Corporate Retreat in the Loire Valley: Venues, Activities and Accommodation
Ninety minutes from Paris, the Loire Valley combines an inspiring setting, team-building activities and the art of living: the ideal backdrop for a retreat or away-day that leaves a lasting impression. Here is how to organise it from A to Z.
St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in Orléans, 1572: France's Second Bloodiest City After Paris
We always speak of the Paris St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre of August 24, 1572. We forget that the second bloodiest city was Orléans, with over 1,000 Protestants murdered in two days.
Getting Married in a Loire Valley Château: Venues, Budget and Planning
A Renaissance château, a light-filled orangery, a formal French park: the Loire Valley is one of the most beautiful wedding settings in the world. Here is how to choose your venue and house your loved ones.
Wheelchair-Accessible Loire Châteaux: Complete Guide for Mobility, Visual and Hearing Disabilities
Visiting the Loire Valley châteaux in a wheelchair, with low vision, or with hearing impairment is now widely possible. Here is the comprehensive PMR guide to the 12 main châteaux, updated for 2026.
Basilica Notre-Dame de Cléry: Louis XI's Secret 15 Minutes from Meung-sur-Loire
Fifteen minutes from Meung-sur-Loire, the Basilica of Cléry-Saint-André holds the tomb of Louis XI, the king who snubbed Saint-Denis to rest in this Loire sanctuary.
Stag Rut in Sologne 2026: 7 Spots to Hear the King of the Forest
From mid-September to mid-October in Sologne, the evening silence gives way to a deep, almost prehistoric cry: the stag rut. One of the most intense natural spectacles in Europe.
Family holidays in the Loire
The Loire Valley is one of France's most kid-friendly destinations. Here are ten activities that really delight children.
Remote working from the Loire Valley
Working from the Loire Valley 1-2 weeks a month is a Paris alternative that's becoming common. Here's how to organise it.
Honeymoon in the Loire Valley
The Loire Valley is one of France's most emblematic romantic destinations. Here's how to make it a memorable stay.
The gardens of the Loire châteaux
Some Loire châteaux are worth as much for their gardens as their walls. Here are the eight essential gardens.
Festivals and events 2026
The Loire Valley lives year-round to the rhythm of festivals and themed events. Here are the 2026 highlights not to miss.
Photographing the Loire châteaux
The Loire châteaux are one of France's richest photographic subjects. Here's how to really capture them.
Beaugency: visit the medieval town
Beaugency is a surprisingly well-preserved medieval town 10 minutes from Meung-sur-Loire. The ideal half-day between two royal châteaux.
Visit Orléans in 1 day
Orléans is the Loire Valley capital and one of France's most underrated cities. Here's how to visit it in 1 day.
Lesser-known Loire Valley châteaux
If you've already done Chambord, Chenonceau and Cheverny, these six less-frequented châteaux await — some rival the stars.
Joan of Arc Festival in Orléans 2026: Complete Program from April 29 to May 8
Each year, Orléans celebrates the woman who freed it from the English in 1429. Ten days of medieval festivities culminate on May 8. In 2026, Clémence Miot, 16, embodies Joan for the 597th edition.
What to do in Meung-sur-Loire
Meung-sur-Loire is more than a château stop. It's a real Loire village with its own heritage. Here's our local guide.
François Villon at Meung-sur-Loire: On the Trail of the Cursed Poet Imprisoned by the Bishop
Summer 1461. A thirty-year-old Parisian poet, already condemned to death once for murder, rots in the dungeons of the château of Meung-sur-Loire. Without the providential death of a king 200 km away, French poetry history would have changed.
Christmas at the Loire Valley Châteaux 2026-2027: Program, Illuminations and Official Passes
From mid-November through early January, five royal châteaux turn into fairy-tale stages: giant trees, video mapping, candlelit dinners, façade illuminations. Here is our complete guide.