Château de Blois, Royal château in Blois, France.
The Château de Blois is a royal residence in Blois in the Loire Valley, composed of several wings around a courtyard. Each wing shows a different building style, from Gothic medieval to classical symmetry, offering insight into architectural evolution over three centuries.
Construction began in the 13th century under Count Louis of Blois and was later expanded by King Louis XII, who was born here. King Francis I ordered the famous Renaissance wing built in the 16th century, which turned the residence into a symbol of royal power.
The name comes from the French kings who lived here over the centuries and reshaped the building according to their tastes. Visitors today can walk through the royal chambers and observe the different styles, from medieval vaults to bright Renaissance windows.
The courtyard is open to visitors and allows a first overview of the different wings and their facades. Guided visits help understand the rooms and architecture better, as many details can easily be missed otherwise.
In the courtyard stands an octagonal chapel, noticeable for its unusual shape and colored glass windows. The staircase in the Renaissance wing was built so visitors from the courtyard could see the ascent and people on the steps.
Location: Blois
Inception: 13 century
Architects: Colin Biard
Architectural style: Gothic art, French Renaissance architecture, Classicism
Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access
Fee: Yes
Address: Pl. du Château, 41000 Blois, France
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:00
Phone: +33254903333
Website: http://chateaudeblois.fr
GPS coordinates: 47.58550,1.33095
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:05
The castles surrounding Paris provide insight into several centuries of French history. From medieval fortresses to Renaissance palaces to Napoleonic residences, each structure represents different architectural styles and periods. These buildings served as homes for French kings, emperors and noble families, and today house significant collections of furniture, artworks and historical objects. Many are surrounded by extensive gardens and grounds that are also open to visitors. The collection spans a wide geographic area from Versailles to the Loire Valley, offering destinations that range from half-hour to two-hour drives from Paris. Properties like Versailles and Fontainebleau attract millions of visitors annually, while smaller estates like Château de Breteuil or Château de Condé provide quieter alternatives. Some, like Château de Guédelon, offer unusual perspectives on medieval construction methods, while restored sites such as Château de Pierrefonds demonstrate 19th-century interpretations of medieval architecture.
The Loire Valley has castles built between the 15th and 17th centuries. They show the history of the French Renaissance and the classical period. These royal and noble homes tell stories of how people lived and built during those times. You can see carved staircases, water galleries, moats, defensive towers, and parks with geometric designs. Some castles like Chambord or Chenonceau are large and bold in design. Others, like Azay-le-Rideau or Villandry, are charming for their natural settings and restored gardens. Leonardo da Vinci is buried in Amboise. In Blois, four different building styles appear one after another. Loches has a medieval tower. Each place offers a different view of how kings, queens, and noble families lived and shaped this region.
Maison de la Magie
180 m
Saint Nicholas Church
159 m
Saint Carilef's Chapel
18 m
Église Saint-Vincent de Blois
160 m
Saint Laumer Abbey of Blois
211 m
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Blois
44 m
Abbaye de Bourg-Moyen
229 m
Fontaine Louis-XII
228 m
Chapelle Sainte-Constance de Blois
184 m
Equestrian statue of Louis XII
56 m
Maison, 25 rue des Violettes
124 m
Fontaine Saint-Nicolas de Blois
189 m
Hôtel-Dieu de Blois
181 m
Hôtel Denis-Dupont
240 m
Maison, 38 rue Saint-Lubin
89 m
Maison de la Chancellerie
203 m
Maison, 36 rue Saint-Lubin
96 m
Fortifications de Blois
62 m
Grèneterie de Marmoutier
190 m
Hôtel de Guise
255 m
Immeubles, 6, 8, 12 rue Chemonton
181 m
Hôtel d'Épernon
73 m
Hôtel d'Amboise
60 m
Collège des Jésuites
198 m
Salle des États
61 m
Aile Louis XII
51 m
Aile François Ier
50 m
Galerie Charles d'Orléans
17 mReal people, real opinions — but not verified.
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Superb double spiral staircase. Look for the error on the facade of the entrance to the Castle!
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