🇫🇷France · Places to discover
What to see in Blois?
16 places selected by the community - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities.
Blois occupies a singular position in the Loire: a royal city without the museum-like veneer of Chambord, it has retained real daily life around its château and steeply stepped streets. This is where Francis I and Catherine de Medici played out a chapter of French history, and the town carries this memory without turning it into forced spectacle. The Saint-Nicolas quarter, on the left bank, gives a good sense of this dual character.
Spring and early autumn are the best windows, before the summer rush that saturates the approaches to the Château Royal de Blois. Two days are enough for an honest visit, including a bicycle outing to Cheverny from town. The train from Paris-Austerlitz is direct and swift. Don't concentrate all your time on the château: the old town below it, often overlooked, is equally worth exploring.
Landmarks & heritage
1 place
- 1
Landmark
Landmark
Papeteries Quarter – Lower Old Town
A network of medieval alleyways between Place Louis XII and the Loire, lined with 15th-century half-timbered houses. Rue Pierre de Blois and Rue du Puits-Châtel are the most authentic, away from the tourist throng.
Museums
1 place
- 2
Museum
Museum
Museum of Resistance, Deportation and Liberation of Loir-et-Cher
A sober yet deeply moving museum tracing local history under Occupation, often overlooked in favour of the châteaux. Testimonies from Blois resistance fighters bring rare human dimension to this period.
Religious sites
2 places
3Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Religious site
Cathedral of Saint-Louis, Blois
Gothic edifice rebuilt after the 1678 storm, featuring contemporary stained glass by Jan Dibbets installed in 2000 that creates striking contrast with the ancient stonework. The bishop's palace gardens in terraced form offer breathtaking views over the Loire.
4Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Religious site
Church of Saint-Nicolas, Blois
Former Benedictine abbey church from the 12th century, older than the château yet often overshadowed by it. Its sober, soaring Romanesque and early Gothic architecture possesses a rare purity.
Castles & fortresses
2 places
- 5
Castle
Castle
Rue Porte Côté and Château Steps
Blois's most picturesque pedestrian ascent, featuring irregular stone steps, Renaissance townhouses and suspended gardens. Locals navigate it daily where tourists consult their GPS.
- 6
Castle
Castle
Royal Château of Blois
Jewel of the French Renaissance where four kings of France resided. François I's spiral staircase is a unique architectural feat, and the night-time son et lumière is well worth the visit.
Nature
3 places
- 7
Nature
Nature
Town Hall and Anne of Brittany Gardens
The town hall occupies the Gaston d'Orléans wing of the château, whilst its public gardens below serve as Blois's verdant drawing room. Ideal for a picnic with views across the honey-coloured tile roofs.
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Nature
Nature
Loire Riverbanks – Bouillie Levée
A towpath along the south bank of the Loire between Blois and Chailles. Locals cycle and walk here to follow the wild river, spotting sandbanks and migrating birds in peaceful solitude.
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Nature
Nature
Russy Forest
A 3,600-hectare woodland massif on Blois's doorstep, a former royal hunting estate now open to the public. Well-marked trails wind through oak forests and ponds, perfect for escaping the château circuit.
Viewpoints
4 places
10Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Viewpoint
Jacques-Gabriel Bridge
An 18th-century bridge and listed historic monument, among the Loire's finest. Walking across at sunset, watching golden light play on the water and the château's silhouette, is unforgettable.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
View from Plateau de la Croix-Chevalier
Natural vantage point north-west of Blois overlooking the Loire valley for several kilometres. The vines of Coteaux du Vendômois sweep the foreground with the river beyond, composing a quintessential Loire landscape.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Panorama from Butte des Châtaigniers
A natural hilltop north of Blois offering a 180° panorama over the Loire valley and the city's rooftops. Locals climb here at dusk; visitors rarely know of it.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Bishop's Gardens
Terraced gardens suspended above the Loire, often overlooked by time-pressed tourists. The view over the river and Blois rooftops from these formal French gardens ranks among the finest in the city.
Activities
3 places
14Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Activity
House of Magic Robert-Houdin
Europe's only museum dedicated to magic, housed in the former residence of the father of modern magic, facing the château. Live performances and mechanical automata captivate children and adults alike.
15Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5Activity
Place Louis XII Market
Blois's most vibrant Saturday morning traditional market, featuring local producers from Sologne and the Loire Valley. Goat cheeses from Berry and Vineuil asparagus are essential spring finds.
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Activity
Activity
Loire à Vélo Bike Rental - Blois
Starting point for the Loire à Vélo cycle route, the EV6 itinerary running alongside the river. Locals know the Blois–Chaumont-sur-Loire loop (45 km return) as the perfect day's cycling.
Hozy stays · within 25 km
Where to stay in Blois
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