Blois

A Fairytale Town of Castles

Blois stands in central France along the Loire River. The town features a medieval castle with tall stone towers and colorful roofs that overlook the water. Local markets sell fresh produce, cheese and bread made by nearby farms. Walking through the historic center reveals cobblestone streets lined with cafes and shops selling crafts. In spring, gardens bloom with flowers while visitors explore museums and galleries in the old town. Blois balances heritage with everyday life along one of France’s most visited rivers.

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Town in France

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.9

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	9

Read details

3/5

English is spoken in most tourist areas, especially in hotels and major attractions. However, in small shops and local restaurants, basic French phrases can be helpful for smoother communication.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Blois Summary

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Strong in Loire Valley castles and history. Visit the royal château, explore medieval streets, tour nearby vineyards and enjoy riverside walks.

Place score

7.2

Best at:

Walkable

Spotless

Architecture

Historic sites

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

💻 9

Digital Nomads

🥗 9

Vegetarian

France – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E Type C: Type E: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted, especially in cities and tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is optional but appreciated in restaurants (5-10%) and for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, but restrictions apply in some cities.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces but common in outdoor cafes.

Bastille Day (July)	Parades and fireworks occur nationwide.
Easter (March/April)	Cultural celebrations and closures.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive events.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 112 (EU emergency), 15 (Ambulance), 17 (Police), 18 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt, Heetch
Other:	France offers diverse experiences, from art and culture to nature and cuisine. Be cautious in crowded areas.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Blois, France

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April, Oct.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Château de Blois and nearby châteaux open year-round, but some smaller châteaux, hotels and restaurants close from November to March

Châteaux of the Loire such as Chambord and Chenonceau are busiest in July and August, with queues easing early morning and late afternoon

Don't miss

🏰 Explore the Renaissance splendor of Château Royal de Blois
🚶‍♂️ Stroll the charming medieval streets of Vieux Blois
🎩 Discover magic at the interactive Maison de la Magie museum
⛏️ Climb Escalier Denis Papin for panoramic old town views
⛪ Visit the Gothic Cathédrale Saint-Louis with stunning stained glass

You've been here?

Why travel to Blois?

Blois is packed with history and beauty, from the Château de Blois, once home to French kings, to the enchanting streets lined with half-timbered houses. The town sits along the Loire River, making it an ideal spot for scenic walks, boat rides and cycling. Beyond its own attractions, Blois is a gateway to some of the Loire Valley’s most spectacular châteaux, including Chambord and Cheverny.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Château de Chambord
A Renaissance masterpiece on the Loire Valley's edge, its double helix staircase and expansive roofline exemplify French architectural ambition. The château sits amid a vast park, offering tours of ornate halls and gardens.
2 St-Louis Cathedral
3 House of Magic
4 Pont Jacques Gabriel
5 Église Saint-Nicolas
6 Escalier Denis Papin
7 Mairie de Cheverny
8 Jardin de l'Evéché
9 Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Histoire naturelle

🎡Places for activities

1 Château royal de Blois
2 Escalier Denis Papin
3 Loire à Vélo
4 Conservatoir de Blois
5 Halle aux Grains
6 CCNO - Centre chorégraphique national d'Orléans
7 Musée des Beaux-Arts de Blois

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 La Loire
2 Lac de Loire
3 Allée du Parc
4 Observatoire Loire
5 Jardin des Lices
6 Forêt domaniale de Russy
7 Réserve de Beaumarchais

🛍️Shopping

1 Marché Place Louis XII
2 La Maison des Parapluies
3 Le Comptoir Irlandais
4 Musée de la Chocolaterie Max Vauché
5 Galeries Lafayette

🎈Events

Blois Renaissance Festival
Château de Blois Sound & Light Show
Festival Des Lyres d'Été
Festival de Loire (nearby in Orléans)
Jazzin' Cheverny
Marché de Noël (Christmas Market)
Printemps des Poètes
Journées Européennes du Patrimoine
Salon des Vins de Loire
Festival International des Jardins (Chaumont-sur-Loire)

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Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Visit the château early; Blois gets busy midday.
Stay near the old town; you’ll walk steep lanes between river and château.
Use Blois as a base for Loire castles; Chambord is an easy day trip.
Climb the Denis Papin staircase at sunset for skyline photos and lighter crowds.

How to travel to Blois

The nearest major train station is Gare de Blois-Chambord, with direct trains from Paris Austerlitz (1.5-2 hours). The closest airports are in Tours (for regional flights) and Paris (for international flights), with train or rental car connections.

Access summary

From Tours Val de Loire Airport (TUF): Train or car, roughly 1–1.5 hours.
From Paris: Direct or connecting trains from Austerlitz, usually 1.5–2 hours.
From Tours: Regional train or bus to Blois, typically about 45–60 minutes.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Blois

Blois offers a mix of charming boutique hotels, historic guesthouses and countryside stays. Luxury château hotels are available in nearby villages, while budget travelers can find hostels or B&Bs in town.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Chateau des Grotteaux

Hôtel Mercure Blois Centre

8.1

Relais d'Amboise - The Leading Hotels of the World

9.1

Le Clos d'Amboise

9.1

First Inn Hotel Blois

8.7

Le Brame de Sologne

9.8

Chateau de la Rozelle

9.3

Le Manoir Saint Thomas

9.5

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How to get around Blois

The historic center is walkable, but a bike or rental car is useful for exploring nearby châteaux. Buses connect major sites and taxis are available but limited. Loire à Vélo is a great cycling route for scenic travel.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

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To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-5 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 5% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Tours, France - 53 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£62	£135	£365
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£26	£60	£135
🍝 Food per day	£28	£67	£202
🚕 Transportation per day	£7	£9	£27

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£22
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£13
🍟 Fast food combo	£8.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£9.50
☕ Cappuccino	£2.30
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£6.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.60
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£16
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.50

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£9.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£21
🤧 Cold medication	£6
💇 Basic haircut	£14

Safety information overview

General safety

Blois is generally safe, with low crime rates. As in any tourist area, be mindful of pickpockets, especially in crowded places like markets and train stations.

Health & Medical

Medical services are good, with a hospital and several pharmacies in town. For emergencies, larger hospitals are in Tours. No specific health risks to worry about.

Accessibility

Many attractions in Blois have cobblestone streets and stairs, making accessibility challenging in some areas. Major sites like the château have ramps and elevators.

Tap water

Tap water is clean and safe to drink. Public water fountains are available in the city, especially in parks and along the Loire cycling route.