Loire Valley châteaux

Route description

From Orléans, the city of Joan of Arc, follow the Loire downstream. Château de Chambord stands a few kilometres south of the river inside a vast walled forest; its double-spiral staircase and roof terraces of chimneys and turrets make it the largest and most extravagant of the Loire châteaux.

The D952 runs along the north bank of the Loire to Blois, where the royal château has a famous open spiral staircase and a town of steep lanes below. Further on, Amboise has a château high above the river and the Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last years.

South of Amboise, Château de Chenonceau spans the river Cher on a row of arches, with formal gardens on either bank; arrive early to walk through it before the crowds. Back by the Loire, Tours has a medieval old quarter around Place Plumereau, and the route ends in Saumur, with its château, cavalry school and cellars dug into the soft white stone.

The Loire à Vélo cycle route links many of these towns, so it is easy to leave the motorhome and ride between châteaux. Spring and early autumn are the most pleasant seasons; in July and August book château tickets ahead and expect busy car parks. Many towns along the river have motorhome areas close to the centre.