Location: Blois
Top Things to do in Blois
The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Blois, Centre-Val de Loire
French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
Restaurants in Blois
1. Visites et Secrets
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 121 reviews
An unusual and unexpected visit, another way of understanding places, characters, story, history! Sylvain Ruiz, tour guide, will take you on a human and personalized tour of the royal city … You will be transported along the streets and alleys of the royal city, over places of discovery until then jealously guarded by their owner … Sylvain Ruiz manages to give you access to some secret places of ligerienne city. His research and findings, he will share them with you, privileged guests of its historical universe … Discover and enjoy a visit otherwise, through a choice of themed tours.
2. Chateau Royal de Blois
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,961 reviews
Aux portes du Val de Loire, le château royal de Blois présente un véritable panorama de l'art et de l'histoire des châteaux de la Loire, ce qui en fait la meilleure introduction à leur visite par sa richesse architecturale. Autour de la cour, dominée par le monumental escalier François Ier, se déploie un florilège de quatre styles de l'architecture française, le style gothique avec la salle des Etats généraux, les prémices de l'influence italienne avec l'aile Louis XII, Renaissance dans l'aile François Ier et enfin classique avec l'aile bâtie par Mansart pour le duc d'Orléans. Résidence de sept rois et de dix reines de France, le château royal est le lieu évocateur du pouvoir et de la vie quotidienne de la cour à la Renaissance, comme en témoignent les appartements royaux, meublés et ornés de magnifiques décors polychromes.
Reviewed By tallpinesCO - Steamboat Springs, United States
We chose this chateau for a rainy day because it’s a city chateau, with no gardens (though there is a park across the street). During a lull in the downpour, we admired the different styles of architecture from several centuries, beginning with a fortified tower left from the 1200s or so. The visitor goes through the rooms in more or less chronological order through the reigns of French kings over several centuries. We liked Blois much more than we did some years ago, because now every room and every object has a very fine explanation and description in English (as well as French, of course). An audio guide was 4 Euros, but we skipped it. The printed information was just enough for us. A series of rooms on the lower level display old pieces of stonework from various eras of the chateau. Where else can you get up close and personal with a whole collection of human and animal gargoyles? So many kings and queens have lived at Blois that it serves as an excellent introduction to the other great chateaux of the Loire Valley. There is an attached fine art gallery with interesting work by French artists and others, such as Rembrandt. Again, everything is very well explained in English/French placards.
3. Basilique Notre-dame De La Trinite
4. Les Jardins de l’Ancien Eveche
5. Eglise Saint-Vincent-de-Paul
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By nancyen - Annapolis, United States
Passed by this picturesque spot while walking from the train into town. Convenient location across from the chateau, it is well worth a stop. The church is lovely, ornate but not overly so. The soft colors and relatively small size give it an intimate feel. Of special interest to me were the stained glass windows, the ceiling and the statuary, particularly the Pietà.
6. Escalier Denis Papin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 238 reviews
Reviewed By jksKansas
This famous staircase had Lucky Luke painted on the steps when we were there. The design is well seen from a distance & it is changed at times to other paintings like the Mona Lisa, etc. It is a beautiful staircase & garden. There is a statue of Denis Papin at the top. Lots of restaurants in this area + the Loire river is close by. Denis Papin was a physicist/ scientist who invented the the steam equipment led to the invention pressure cooker & steam engine.
7. Pont Jacques-Gabriel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
Reviewed By Nortie139 - Ottawa, Canada
The 11 arches split the city. It did not get taken out in WWII. It is stunning as it spans across the river. A beautiful piece of architecture.
8. Office de Tourisme Blois Chambord-Val de Loire
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 300 reviews
Blois, porte d'entrée dans les châteaux de la Loire. Toutes les bonnes adresses pour votre séjour : visites, loisirs, animations, hébergement et restauration... Vente au comptoir et en ligne : de Pass'châteaux, billetterie dont le ZooParc de Beauval et de coffrets séjours . Organisation de journées et séjours pour les groupes.
Reviewed By TV2451
This is the place you will want to visit if you want some information about the region, places to see, places to stay, places to eat. The staff are helpful.
9. Fondation du Doute
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 153 reviews
10. Cathedrale Saint-Louis
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 268 reviews
Reviewed By jksKansas
There are many nice small streets in Blois & this area is very nice. Have a look at this church which is open to the public. It is very nice on a sunny morning so one can see the stained glass windows better. Nice bakery around the corner.
