Chambord and the Loire Valley Visit

After a quick overnight in Paris, we made our way south to the Loire Valley — a region known for its fairytale châteaux, quiet countryside, and some of the most beautiful Renaissance architecture in France. Our home base for this portion of the trip was Chambord, a peaceful village surrounded by forests, bike paths, and of course, the iconic Château de Chambord.

This stop was part of a 12 day trip to France, but it quickly became one of the most memorable parts of the trip. Keep reading for more details about our stay in the Loire Valley.

Getting to Chambord

We left Paris early morning, catching a train from Paris–Montparnasse and arriving just over an hour later in Saint‑Pierre‑des‑Corps. From there, we picked up our rental car and began the short drive into the the Loire Valley.

If you’re thinking about exploring the Loire Valley, renting a car is honestly the best way to do it. And truly, there’s no need to stress about traffic or big highways. Most of the region is made up of quiet rural roads that wind from one charming little town to the next.

Before checking into our hotel, we made a stop at Château de Chenonceau, one of the most elegant and recognizable castles in France. We purchased our tickets in advance and opted for an 11am booking. It was enough time to drive from the train station to the castle with some time to spare in case of delays. If you are looking to visit, you can book your tickets here.

We arrived early and decided to explore the immaculate estate grounds. The Garden of Diane de Poitiers was especially impressive. Since we were there in spring we did not get to see it in full bloom but it was beautiful non the less.

Where to Stay

For this part of the trip, we checked into Hotel Relais de Chambord. It’s located withing the estate grounds and just steps from the château itself. It’s definitely not the most cost effective option, but definitely worth it in our opinion.

We decided to stay in a castle view room and definitely had the prefect picture taking view. The one below was taken from the room window.

Our stay included included daily breakfast, dinner one evening at their onsite restaurant and a 3 local châteaux pass. We opted for Chambord, an obvious choice, Château de Cheverny and Château de Blois.

We arrived in the afternoon, settled in, and enjoyed a quiet evening before dinner at the hotel’s restaurant Le Grand Saint-Michel. It was a delicious multi-course meal of French Cuisine favorites.

Exploring Château de Chambord

Château de Chambord is one of the most impressive Renaissance castles in France — and seeing it in person is even more striking than the photos. The scale and detail are incredible, and the surrounding forest makes it feel almost otherworldly.

We spent a full morning exploring the grounds, walking the perimeter, and taking in the architecture from different angles. The double‑helix staircase, famously attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, is a highlight.

To capture the experience, we filmed a full walking tour of the château and its surroundings. If you want to see what it’s like to explore Chambord at your own pace, you can watch the video below:

Dining in the Loire Valley

Food in this region is rustic, comforting, and deeply tied to local ingredients. During our stay, below are a few that we enjoyed:

• Bar du Relais – Château de Chambord’s onsite bar
• La cours des rois – across the street from Château de Cheverny
• Boulangerie Patisserie Chatelin – delicious pastries and bread; open early morning
• Au Gré du Vent – delicious food, family owned and run; reservation is highly recommended

The Loire Valley is known for its wines, so pairing meals with local whites and reds is highly recommended.

Things to Do Around Chambord

1. Explore the Chambord Château Grounds

The estate is massive — perfect for walking, biking, or simply wandering. Bikes are available at the hotel, and the paths are flat and scenic.

2. Visit Nearby Castles

Chenonceau, Cheverny, Blois and Amboise are all within easy driving distance.

3. Enjoy the Local Villages

Small towns around the Loire Valley offer cafés, bakeries, and quiet streets to explore. We did spend a morning exploring Blois. It’s a lovely town where were happened to stumble upon their Saturday market, which was amazing.

4. Visit a Local Winery

The Chenin Blanc is the main local wine. But there are plenty of beautiful, picturesque wineries to statisfy every tastes.

5. Take a Scenic Drive

The countryside is peaceful and filled with vineyards, forests, and winding roads.

When to visit

Obviously, summer is definitely the most popular time for tourists to visit. However, the best time to visit France is during spring, between April and May, and autumn, between September and October. During these times, the climate is more comfortable and fewer crowds, making it easier to explore. We were there late-April, the weather was great and the crowds much less than when we previously visited Europe at the end of August.

A bonus about going in late April is that wisteria is blooming everywhere. We did spend quite a bit of time admiring the beauty of this building.

Final Thoughts

Chambord is one of those places that feels both grand and peaceful — a perfect blend of history, architecture, and nature. Staying right on the estate made the experience even more special, and visiting multiple castles in the region gave us a deeper appreciation for the Loire Valley.

If you’re planning a trip to France and want a mix of culture, scenery, and calm exploration, Chambord and Loire Valley are absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.

After Chambord we made our way to Tours to catch an early morning train to Bordeaux, to begin the next chapter of our trip .

Finally, if you are looking for more European content, the posts below might be of interest to you.

• Two Week Italy Itinerary
• Two Days in Bologna
• Visiting Cinque Terre
• Five Days in Florence