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One of my favorite things about France is how each region has its own incredible and unique history. While the south of France has its fair share of beautiful architecture, castles, and forts, there’s just something special about the castles of Loire Valley.
The Loire Valley is situated in central France, approximately 250 kilometers (~155 miles) west of Paris. It’s probably not the top place on many first-time visitors’ lists, but if you’re a seasoned traveler to France, it’s a must-visit! This stunning region of France is home to endless chateaus, castles, and vineyards. The climate is temperate compared to many other parts of France, making it a destination that can be visited year-round.
We paired our visit to the Loire Valley with a quick trip to Annecy and a trip to Paris to visit Disneyland. It’s easy to get between these regions by train, but you’ll definitely need to rent a car to visit various chateaux on your schedule. Check out rentalcars.com, which price compares various car rental companies all in one place!
Also Read: The French Riviera by Train – Must-Visit Destinations
Best Time to Visit Loire Valley
The best thing about visiting Loire Valley is that it can be enjoyed in any season! Here are some things to remember about visiting castles in Loire Valley in the various seasons.
| Season | Notes |
| Spring | – Some rainy days – Perfect temperature for exploring – Gorgeous blooming gardens |
| Summer | – Sunny weather – Most popular time to visit (more crowds) – Chateaus aren’t usually air-conditioned, so it may get very hot |
| Fall | – Mild weather with fewer crowds – Wine harvest festivals and tastings around the region |
| Winter | – Cheapest time to visit – Very few crowds – Limited visiting hours – Many attractions could be closed |
Also Read: The Best Christmas Markets on the French Riviera
Château de Chaumont
Address: Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, 41150 Chaumont-sur-Loire, France
Quick Facts
| Location | Chaumont-sur-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire |
| Date of Construction | Originally built in the 10th century; rebuilt in the 15th century |
| Architectural Style | Gothic with Renaissance influences |
| Famous Residents or Owners | Catherine de Medici; Diane de Poitiers |
| Notable Features | Panoramic Loire River views, beautifully preserved stables, dramatic drawbridge |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site? | Yes (as part of the Loire Valley) |
| Tourist Highlights | Hosts the International Garden Festival every year; art installations throughout the grounds |
| Annual Visitors | Approx. 400,000 |
| Opening Hours / Best Time to Visit | Open year-round; best from April to October during the Garden Festival |
| Fun Fact | Catherine de Medici used the château for astrology meetings with Nostradamus! |
Our Visit
Chateau de Chaumont is truly something out of a fairytale, like so many of the Loire Valley region castles. I absolutely loved the breathtaking drawbridge that leads up to the castle. Visitors can tour many of the chateau’s rooms, including the chapel, located in the East wing. When we went, the chapel was adorned with colorful flowers and other fascinating fauna as part of an art installation.
Throughout the grounds and the castle were several different art installations. It was fun to see the juxtaposition between the centuries-old artwork and furniture and the new-age art installations. One of my other favorite features of Chateau de Chaumont was the orangerie, which is filled with the most beautiful tropical plants.
This famous Loire Valley chateau is open daily except for New Year’s Day and Christmas. Prices and opening hours vary by season. Check the chateau’s website for more practical information and to purchase tickets.
Also Read: Underrated European Destinations to Visit in 2025
Château d’Ussé
Address: Château d’Usse, 1 Rue Principale, 37420 Rigny-Ussé, France
Quick Facts
| Location | Rigny-Ussé, Indre-et-Loire, Loire Valley |
| Date of Construction | 15th – 17th centuries |
| Architectural Style | Flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance |
| Famous Residents or Owners | Count of Blacas family (still private residence) |
| Notable Features | Fairytale towers, grand staircase, chapel, terraced gardens by Le Nôtre |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site? | No |
| Tourist Highlights | “Sleeping Beauty” rooms with figures based on the fairy tale |
| Annual Visitors | Approx. 300,000 |
| Opening Hours / Best Time to Visit | March to mid-November; spring is especially magical |
| Fun Fact | Inspired Charles Perrault’s “Sleeping Beauty” – it’s literally the fairytale castle! |
Our Visit
If you want to feel like you’re in a real-life fairytale, you *must* visit Chateau d’Ussé! This castle was used as the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle, which is its own reason in itself to visit. We visited in mid-September, and it was not crowded at all.
The main thing to do when visiting Château d’Ussé is to climb up the fairytale tower. Throughout the tower, you’ll be told (in French) the story of Sleeping Beauty, complete with animatronics and props. This was so fun! Especially so if you have kids.
After visiting the tower, I loved strolling through the garden, which was vast and lined with orange trees. Seriously, the garden of my dreams! Something to note is that this castle is only open from mid-February to mid-November, not year-round like other castles. You can find updated opening hours and ticket prices here.
Also Read: The Best European Summer Destinations to Visit in 2025
Final Thoughts
As you can see, we were only able to visit two castles in the Loire Valley. We unexpectedly had to cut our trip short, which just means that we have to return to this stunning French region in the future! I definitely want to visit Chenonceau, Chambord, and Azay-le-Rideau.
Have you been to the Loire Valley? If so, which castle was your favorite? If not, which one do you want to visit? Let us know in the comments!
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