Blois Royal Castle: four styles around one courtyard
Travel journal · Source updated on 15 September 2026
In the courtyard of Blois Royal Castle, a turn of the head takes you into another period. The medieval, Gothic, Renaissance and classical wings reveal how this royal residence changed over time. Look at them together before going inside: the apartments will mean all the more.
Start with the courtyard
Before entering, compare the façades: their windows, materials and decorative details. With children, look for a salamander or a staircase. A few details can make the different periods visible without turning the visit into a lesson.
Enter the royal apartments
Inside, furniture and painted decoration bring history closer to everyday life. Monumental façades give way to inhabited rooms, their uses and the people who lived there. To understand what you are looking at, choose a guided visit or visiting aid on the castle’s website.
Continue across the square
On leaving, the Maison de la Magie is across the square. You could continue your day there or head down into the centre for lunch. If you are staying several nights in Blois, save it for another outing: both visits deserve time.
How much time should you allow?
The castle suggests around 1 to 1½ hours for its self-guided route. Allow extra time if you enjoy examining the decoration, using visiting aids or taking breaks. Spend the rest of the half-day exploring the neighbouring streets.
Plan your visit
Check the calendar, ticket prices, access conditions and available tours. The sound-and-light show has its own seasonal schedule: confirm the dates before planning your evening.
Our walking route through Blois → · Where to park for your visit →
What will you want to look at more closely?
Interested in architecture? Spend time with the staircases and façades. Prefer interiors? Allow longer for the apartments and their decoration. Children can choose their favourite room, giving everyone something to talk about afterwards.
After the visit, leave time for the old-town streets. A break also helps you avoid rushing straight into another museum. Our walking route through Blois includes stops you can add today or leave until tomorrow.
Where to stay
For a stay beneath the castle, Le Nid de Saint-Honoré welcomes four guests with the castle framed by its windows. It is on the third floor, without a lift. La Demeure de Chemonton, for up to fifteen guests, is a few minutes away on foot. By the Loire or in the countryside, also discover La Maison des Chalands, for thirteen, and Le Cottage de Chitenay, for ten.
Explore our four holiday homes →
References and practical information
Links retained from the French article. Check the official pages for current visiting conditions; some sources are in French.
Explore our four holiday homes → · Find a stay for your dates →