7 Must-See Châteaux in the Loire Valley for First-Time Visitors (What to See + Practical Tips)

If you’re planning your first trip to the Loire Valley, you’re in for something truly special. This region is known for its fairytale scenery, riverside towns, and most of all—its châteaux. From grand Renaissance palaces to romantic, ivy-covered castles, the Loire is packed with history, beauty, and charm at every turn.

But with so many to choose from, where do you even begin? To help you out, I’ve rounded up 7 must-see châteaux in the Loire Valley for first-time visitors. These are the castles that truly capture the magic of the region—each one worth a spot on your itinerary.

Famous For: Renaissance architecture, the double-helix staircase, rooftop views

When you picture a castle in the Loire Valley, there’s a good chance you’re thinking of Château de Chambord. It’s one of the most iconic châteaux in all of France, and honestly, it’s hard to overstate just how impressive it is. With its towering spires, enormous size, and that unmistakable French Renaissance style, it feels like something out of a dream.

Chambord was built in the 1500s for King Francis I, mainly as a hunting lodge (yes, really). He wanted to show off his power and taste, and he definitely succeeded.

Even if you’re not a big history buff, it’s easy to be swept up in the sheer scale and beauty of this place.

Château de Chambord

3 Things You Shouldn’t Miss:

• The Double-Helix Staircase: Designed with input from Leonardo da Vinci, this staircase is one of the château’s most fascinating features. Two people can walk up and down at the same time on separate staircases that spiral around each other, without ever crossing paths. It’s clever, beautiful, and totally unique.

The Double-Helix Staircase

The Double-Helix Staircase

• The Rooftop Terraces: Head up to the roof for a close-up look at Chambord’s forest of chimneys, towers, and turrets. The 360° views over the estate and surrounding forest are stunning, especially in the early morning or late afternoon light.

The Rooftop Terraces / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley

• The King’s Apartments: Step inside the royal chambers to see where King Louis XIV once stayed. The ornate tapestries, painted ceilings, and period furnishings offer a vivid glimpse into life at court.

The King’s Apartments / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley

Take your time wandering Chambord, it’s not just a castle, it’s an experience. And if you can, explore a bit of the surrounding parkland, too. With forests, canals, and even deer roaming around, it’s a peaceful contrast to the grandeur of the main building.

Famous For: The river bridge, the “Ladies’ Château,” the gardens

If you’re looking for a château that feels like it belongs in a painting, Château de Chenonceau is it. Spanning gracefully across the River Cher, this is one of the most photographed (and photogenic) spots in the Loire Valley.

Often called the “Ladies’ Château,” Chenonceau was shaped and preserved by a series of remarkable women, most notably Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médici, who left their mark on every corner.

Château de Chenonceau

3 Things You Shouldn’t Miss:

• The River Gallery: This 60-meter-long hallway stretches across the River Cher with massive windows that flood the space with light. It once served as a hospital ward during WWI—and today, it’s one of the château’s most atmospheric spaces.

The River Gallery / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley

• Catherine de Médici’s Bedroom: A dramatic and richly decorated room, full of symbolism and power. It offers a deeper look at Catherine’s role in French politics and her lasting impact on the château.

Catherine de Médici’s Bedroom / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley

• The Gardens: Be sure to explore both Diane’s and Catherine’s gardens. Each has a distinct style, and the views back toward the château—especially with flowers in bloom—are nothing short of stunning.

The Gardens / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley 

Chenonceau isn’t just beautiful—it’s deeply personal. It tells the story of the women who protected, shaped, and lived in it. And whether you come for the photos, the history, or just a peaceful wander, it’s the kind of place that lingers with you.

Famous For: Elegant interiors, family history, Tintin connection

Château de Cheverny may not be the biggest château in the Loire Valley, but it just might be the most lived-in, and that’s part of its charm. It’s been in the same family for over six centuries and still feels like a real home, not just a historic monument.

With its classic symmetry, beautifully preserved rooms, and peaceful grounds, Cheverny offers a more intimate look at French aristocratic life.

And if you’re a fan of The Adventures of Tintin, you’ll recognize Cheverny right away. It served as the model for Captain Haddock’s Marlinspike Hall in the beloved comic series.

Château de Cheverny

3 Things You Shouldn’t Miss:

• The Grand Salon and Library: These rooms feel almost untouched by time, filled with 17th-century furniture, tapestries, and a working fireplace. The attention to detail is incredible—you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a stately family gathering.

The Library / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley 

• The Tintin Exhibition: For fans of the famous comic books, this is a real treat. An interactive exhibit shows how Cheverny inspired Hergé’s fictional château and brings Tintin’s world to life in a playful, family-friendly way.

The Tintin Exhibition / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley

• The Hunting Dog Kennels: Cheverny is still home to a traditional pack of hunting dogs. You can visit the kennels and, depending on the time of day, even see feeding time. It’s loud, lively, and uniquely memorable.

The Hunting Dog Kennels / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley

Cheverny is a perfect stop if you want a château that feels personal, lived-in, and a little different from the grand royal palaces. It’s polished, peaceful, and full of personality.

Famous For: World-famous gardens, elegant symmetry, peaceful atmosphere

Château de Villandry may not have the towers and turrets of some of the Loire’s flashier châteaux, but what it does have is something truly unforgettable: the gardens.

If you love being surrounded by color, pattern, and calm, this is your place. The château itself is graceful and refined, but it’s the outdoor spaces that really steal the show.

Château de Villandry

3 Things You Shouldn’t Miss:

• The Ornamental Garden: This is the most iconic part of Villandry, with its intricate boxwood designs representing different types of love—tender, passionate, even tragic. It’s like walking through a living painting.

The Ornamental Garden / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley

• The Kitchen Garden: A patchwork of vegetables planted in perfect symmetry, the potager is not only beautiful, but practical. It’s a working garden, and the color combinations (yes, even the cabbages!) are surprisingly stunning.

The Kitchen Garden / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley

• The Terrace View: Head up to the upper terraces for a panoramic view of the entire garden layout. From above, you can really appreciate the scale, precision, and artistry behind every square.

The Terrace View / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley

Famous For: Dramatic hilltop setting, contemporary art exhibits, International Garden Festival

Perched high above the River Loire, Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire has a completely different vibe from the other châteaux. It looks like a fairy-tale fortress from the outside, with its round towers and drawbridge but once you step inside, you’ll discover a place that’s constantly evolving, blending history with creativity.

Originally built in the 10th century to guard the river, Chaumont has seen a lot of change over the centuries.

It was once owned by Catherine de Médici (before she traded it to Diane de Poitiers), and today, it’s just as much a home for the arts as it is a historical site.

Chaumont is famous for hosting the International Garden Festival every year, drawing landscape artists from around the world. There’s always something unexpected blooming, growing, or being built here, so even if you’ve visited before, chances are it’ll feel new the next time you come.

Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire

3 Things You Shouldn’t Miss:

• The Ruggieri Room: Named after Cosimo Ruggieri, astrologer to Catherine de Médici, this room reflects the queen’s fascination with the occult and mystical sciences. The dark walls and starry ceiling create a moody, almost otherworldly atmosphere that feels totally unique.

The Ruggieri Room / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley

• The International Garden Festival (April to November): These creative, themed garden installations change every year, and they’re full of surprises—sometimes whimsical, sometimes thought-provoking, always unique.

International Garden Festival / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley

• The Chapel: A quiet, beautiful space with intricate stained glass windows that tell biblical stories in soft, colored light. It’s a lovely contrast to the château’s more dramatic rooms and a peaceful spot to pause during your visit.

The Chapel / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley

Famous For: Royal history, panoramic gardens, Renaissance architecture

Château d’Amboise is where history truly comes alive. Once a favorite royal residence during the Renaissance, this elegant hilltop château has seen kings, queens, and even Leonardo da Vinci pass through its gates.

The château was transformed by Charles VIII and later Francis I, turning it into a refined symbol of royal power. It also played host to many important political events over the centuries.

Château d’Amboise

3 Things You Shouldn’t Miss:

• The Great Hall: Once used for royal banquets and important gatherings, this massive space gives you a true sense of the grandeur of life at court. Look up to admire the wooden-beamed ceiling and imagine the lively scenes that once unfolded here.

The Great Hall / Must-See Chateau in the Loire Valley 

• The Minimes and Heurtault Towers: These enormous spiral towers were designed to let horses and carriages move between the upper and lower levels of the château. Walking inside them is like stepping into the pages of a medieval storybook.

The Minimes Tower / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley

• The Gardens: Don’t miss the beautifully landscaped terraces and formal gardens surrounding the château. With their panoramic views of the river and town below, they’re ideal for a peaceful stroll or a quiet break during your visit.

The Gardens / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley 

Famous For: Mirror-like reflection, early French Renaissance style, romantic setting

Tucked away on an island in the middle of the Indre River, Château d’Azay-le-Rideau is pure charm. It’s smaller and more intimate than some of the grander Loire Valley châteaux, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in beauty. With its delicate turrets, graceful stonework, and perfect reflection in the still water below, it’s often described as one of the most romantic castles in France.

Built in the early 16th century during the reign of Francis I, Azay-le-Rideau was one of the first châteaux to blend medieval defensive features with the elegance of the French Renaissance. It was meant to impress, not to defend, and walking through it today still gives you that sense of refined taste and quiet luxury.

Château d’Azay-le-Rideau

3 Things You Shouldn’t Miss:

• The Grand Staircase: One of the earliest straight staircases in France, it winds gracefully up the center of the château and is beautifully detailed with Renaissance carvings—look closely for salamanders and ermine, the symbols of Francis I and Queen Claude.

The Grand Staircase / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley 

• The Renaissance Chamber: Lavishly decorated with carved wood and period furnishings, this room gives a real feel for the refined tastes of the château’s early residents. It’s elegant and atmospheric, with soft light and a view over the water.

The Renaissance Chamber / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley

• The Biencourt Salon: Once the main reception room for the Biencourt family, this richly furnished space showcases 19th-century décor layered over Renaissance bones. It’s a fascinating glimpse into how the château evolved through the centuries.

The Biencourt Salon / Must-See Chateaux in the Loire Valley

Château d’Azay-le-Rideau is a wonderful finale for a château tour, graceful, romantic, and not too overwhelming. It’s easy to reach and doesn’t require hours to explore, which makes it perfect for a slower, more relaxed kind of visit.