Visiting the châteaux of the Loire Valley means travelling through five centuries of French history over a distance of just a few dozen kilometres. The problem isn’t finding a château to visit, but choosing which ones and in what order. From the Château de la Huberdière in Nazelles-Négron, near Amboise, you’re right in the centre of the map. Here’s how we recommend organising your visits.
Which Loire Valley châteaux should you visit first?
If you were to choose just four or five, start with those that best encapsulate the Renaissance. Chenonceau for its gallery overlooking the Cher, Chambord for its grandeur and its double-helix staircase, Villandry for its gardens, and Amboise and the Clos Lucé for Leonardo da Vinci.
The classic mistake is to try to do too much. Two châteaux a day is already quite a lot if you want to enjoy the gardens and the surrounding villages. It’s better to take it easy and leave some time for the Loire itself.
Must-see attractions around Amboise
Amboise is an excellent base, and it’s ours too. The royal château overlooks the Loire right in the town centre, and the Clos Lucé, just a short walk away, is home to Leonardo da Vinci’s final resting place and models of his inventions.
Just twenty minutes away, Chenonceau spans the River Cher with its arches and Diane de Poitiers’ garden. It is undoubtedly the most photogenic château in the valley; it’s best to visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Chambord, Chaumont, Villandry
If you’re willing to travel a little further, there are three places well worth a visit. Chambord, about an hour away, impresses with its size and hunting grounds. Chaumont-sur-Loire charms visitors with its international garden festival. Villandry is the epitome of French formal gardens and is best visited in spring or early summer.
Some distance guide points from Amboise:
- Chenonceau: 20 minutes
- Chaumont-sur-Loire: 25 minutes
- Villandry: 45 minutes
- Chambord: 1 hour
Where to stay when visiting the châteaux of the Loire Valley
The best base is a central, peaceful location from which you can explore the surrounding area without wasting time travelling. This is exactly where the Château de la Huberdière is situated, ten minutes from Amboise and right in the heart of the valley.
Staying in a château rather than a hotel makes for a more immersive experience: you arrive in the evening at a walled estate, enjoy dinner at the table d’hôtes, and set off the next day feeling refreshed. We provide details of the rooms and how to organise your stay on the [stay] page (/sejour), and our guide to [guesthouses in Amboise] (/blog/chambres-hotes-amboise-chateau) complements this.
Planning your stay
A stay of three or four nights is enough to see the main sights without rushing. You can combine visits to the grand châteaux, the Vouvray vineyards, a cycle ride along the banks of the Loire and the village markets.
To plan your visit and check availability, please visit the accommodation page or get in touch with us. We know the area well and are happy to share our suggested itineraries.
