• Castle of Blois

The favorite residence place of the French kings and queens during the Renaissance, in Blois, 60km Southwest of Orleans and the same distance Northeast of Tours. The palace presents a mix of French architecture from the Middle Ages to the 17th century, including the medieval fortress of the 13th century, the 15th century Gothic wing of Louis XII, the 16th century Renaissance wing of Francis I, and the 17th century Gaston d’Orleans wing. Visit the restored royal apartments which are highly decorated with paintings, sculptures, period furniture, and beautiful artworks.
Defined as a Museum of France, the Royal Castle has a collection of more than 35,000 artworks, 1,000 of which are exhibited in the various rooms. The palace is also home to the Museum of Fine Arts of Blois exhibiting sculptures, paintings, and artworks from different eras, including paintings by masters such as Rubens, Ingres, and Boucher.
Visit the 13th century Gothic Medieval castle State Room with its painted decorations, paneling, and the stained-glass windows, and the Lapidary Museum in the former kitchens home to a 16th and 17th centuries sculptures, and more.
In the Louis XII wing enjoy the Museum of Fine Arts of Blois and its 16th to 19th century artworks, the French and Flemish tapestries, the terracotta medallions by Jean-Baptiste Nini, and more. In the Francois wing, admire the Italian influenced Renaissance decorations, the monumental staircase covered with fine Renaissance sculptures and Italian ornaments, and the Queen’s Gallery exhibition of ancient musical instruments. In this wing you will also find the Queen’s Office and Chamber of Catherine de Medici, and the guard rooms presenting the history of 16th and 17th century armament.
The Palace’s Foix terrace offers overwhelming landscapes of the palace gardens, Blois old town, and the Loire River and valley. At night, a visual and auditory effects show can be enjoyed on the four facades of the main courtyard presenting the castle’s history. Facing the palace on its other side is the House of Magic (Maison de la Magie), a wonderful and interesting magic theater and museum dedicated to the memory of the famous 19th century magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdini.

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View of a bedroom at Blois castle, Blois, Loire Valley, France

The road to the castle in Blois, Loire Valley, France

Interiors and architectural decors in castle royal of Blois, Loire valley, France