Loire Valley Chateau de Blois

le Loir-et-Cher

This enormous Chateau is one of the most impressive in the Loire Valley. It was built over a period of four centuries and is a fascinating mixture of the architecture of those periods.

Owing to these unusual origins, the Chateau de Blois is not one but four castles of completely different styles joined together to create an impressive inner courtyard.

The oldest part, the room of the States, is designed in the Gothic architecture style and dates from 13th century. At the end of 15th century Louis XII added a wing of blazing Gothic, which was the beginning of the Renaissance of Blois.

Less than one century later, François I confirmed the Italian influence on French architecture by engaging an Italian architect: the principle result being the stunning spiral staircase and the famous "façade des Loges".

The last episode of this amazing architectural history was when Gaston d'Orléans added a wing in the French classical architecture style of the 17th century. The dome of Mansard is one of France's most successful examples of this style of architecture.

Occasional residence of French Kings, this castle accommodated many famous characters in French history. The most famous episode to play out in this castle was the assassination of the duke de Guise, on the second floor apartments of Henri III who died of 23 stab-wounds on December 23, 1588.

Today the fine arts museum and a Museum of Beaux-Arts housed in the Louis XII wing make for a fascinating stop-over on any Loire Valley Holiday.

Address: 6 place du chateau, le Loir-et-Cher
Entry price: 6.50 euros (Concession: 4.50 euros)
Opening hours: 9h-12h30 and 14h-17h30
Phone number: +33 2 54 90 33 33

Loire Valley Chateau de Blois

Chateau de Blois Map