Frequently Asked Questions

Select the destination you want to visit, choose your date and time, then click 'Book'. You'll be directed to our partner to complete your purchase securely.

No, electronic tickets are accepted. Simply show the QR code on your phone at the entrance.

Cancellation conditions vary by ticket type. Check the conditions on your confirmation email.

Purchasing your tickets online in advance is highly recommended to maximize your vacation time, ensuring you bypass standard entry queues and step straight into the history and beauty of the estates

Absolutely, all tickets purchased here are 100% digital, meaning you simply show the barcode on your smartphone at the entrance for instant scanning with no printing required

Most basic admission tickets allow for self-guided exploration so you can move at your own pace, however, you can usually upgrade to include an audio guide or rent an interactive HistoPad to dive deeper into the history without needing to follow a large group

Because many castles operate on strict time-slotted entry, cancellation policies can vary depending on the specific estate, so always check the terms on the checkout page before confirming your purchase so you can book with absolute peace of mind

Generally, pets are not allowed inside the castle buildings, however, most estates (like Villandry and Chenonceau) allow dogs on a leash within the outdoor parks and gardens

Photography without a flash is highly encouraged inside the beautiful rooms so you can capture your memories, however, flying drones over the castles or gardens is strictly forbidden by French law without prior professional authorization

Each destination page contains detailed access information, including public transport and parking options.

Accessibility varies by site. Check the practical information on each destination page.

To experience the region without rushing, we recommend 3 to 5 days, which allows you to explore 6 to 8 major estates and enjoy the local wine and culture; if you only have one day, focus on the Amboise area or the Chambord-Chenonceau duo

For the best experience, we recommend 2 castles per day to avoid "castle fatigue," as these estates are vast; pairing one large royal estate (like Chambord) with a smaller, intimate one (like Azay-le-Rideau) is the perfect balance

Yes, popular sites like Chenonceau and Chambord use strict time-slotted entry, so booking your tickets online is the only way to guarantee your preferred time and skip the long wait at the ticket desk, which can exceed an hour during peak season

The vast majority of the major Loire Valley castles remain open all year long, and visiting during the winter holidays is highly recommended, as estates like Chenonceau and Amboise are transformed with roaring fireplaces and spectacular Christmas decorations

To experience the estates at their quietest, book your time-slotted tickets for the first opening hour in the morning or the late afternoon, which also provides the most spectacular, golden-hour lighting for your photos

The Loire Valley castles are perfect rainy-day activities because the massive, furnished interiors offer hours of indoor exploration; just bring an umbrella for the short walks between the parking lots and the entrances

Most major estates offer large, dedicated parking lots right near the entrance, and while some are completely free (like Villandry and Chaumont-sur-Loire), others (like Chambord and Chenonceau) charge a small daily flat fee of around €4 to €6

Yes, the larger estates like Chambord, Chenonceau, and Villandry feature excellent on-site restaurants, casual cafes, and even wine-tasting rooms, but if you prefer to bring your own food, almost all the castles provide beautiful, designated picnic areas near the gardens or riverbanks

There is no formal dress code, but comfortable walking shoes are absolutely essential because you will be navigating uneven medieval cobblestones, gravel garden paths, and steep spiral staircases

For security reasons, large suitcases are strictly prohibited and most castles do not offer luggage storage, so we highly recommend leaving your heavy bags at your hotel or hidden in your car trunk before scanning your ticket

Since each estate is independently owned or managed by the state, there is no single master pass for the entire region. However, we highly recommend booking combo tickets, such as the convenient Loire Valley Châteaux Pass or the popular Chenonceau and Chambord bundle; you will find these exclusive multi-castle options displayed directly on each Château's dedicated page to easily build your perfect itinerary

While some smaller castles allow walk-ins, major sites like Chambord and Chenonceau frequently sell out of their daily time slots during peak season, making it highly risky to arrive without pre-booked online tickets

Yes, all the major estates cater to international visitors by providing comprehensive visitor brochures, display panels, and digital tablets (like the HistoPad) in English and several other global languages

Choosing the right site depends on what you want to experience:

• For gardens: Château de Villandry is world-famous for its geometric vegetable gardens
• For kids & inventions: Château du Clos Lucé features hands-on models of Leonardo da Vinci's machines
• For romance: Château de Chenonceau is the most elegant, with its iconic bridge spanning the river
• For architectural grandeur: Château de Chambord is the largest and most majestic royal symbol
• For royal history: Royal Château de Blois shows the lives of 7 kings and 10 queens in one courtyard
• For medieval fortresses: Château d'Angers or the Fortress of Chinon offer massive defensive towers and military history
• For modern art: Domaine de Chaumont or Montsoreau blend historic walls with contemporary creativity

Yes, but with one major tip: use a baby carrier since strollers are usually prohibited inside the castles due to narrow spiral staircases; for the easiest navigation with a baby, Château de Villandry offers wide, flat garden paths

The story of the Loire Valley is the story of France itself, often called the "Garden of France" and the "Cradle of the French Language".

When Paris became too dangerous during the Hundred Years' War, French royalty retreated to the safety of the Loire, originally building massive, thick-walled medieval fortresses like Chinon and Angers.

The true "Golden Age" of the valley flourished during the Renaissance when kings like Francis I transformed these defensive strongholds into elegant, pleasure-focused palaces.

Inviting the greatest minds of the era, including Leonardo da Vinci, they brought the genius of Italian art and engineering to the riverbanks, turning every château into a stage for royal drama and spectacular festivals.

Today, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a living landscape where architecture and nature perfectly align, inviting you to secure your tickets and walk the very halls that shaped French history.

The Loire Valley and its surroundings offer some of the most famous theme parks and attractions in Europe, making it a perfect destination for extended stays:

• ZooParc de Beauval: Consistently ranked among the best zoos in the world, home to over 35,000 animals including the famous giant pandas
• Puy du Fou: A world-renowned historical theme park offering breathtaking nightly shows and immersive historical villages that bring the Middle Ages to life
• Futuroscope: A high-tech theme park near Poitiers featuring unique 4D cinematic experiences and robotic attractions looking toward the future
• Terra Botanica: Situated in Angers, this is Europe's first plant-based theme park offering a stunning blend of exotic gardens and fun boat rides
• Wine and gastronomy: For the ultimate tasting experience, book a guided Vouvray vineyard visit departing directly from Tours to explore the famous troglodyte caves and sample the region's celebrated sparkling and white wines with a local expert

Estates like Chenonceau and Chambord offer beautiful small boat rentals on their surrounding waters during the warmer months, giving you a stunning perspective of the architecture that you simply cannot see from the gardens