Things to do in Chambord

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Centre-Val de Loire

The Loire Valley Castles

The Loire is a beautiful river. Especially in the middle reaches of the river valley, the ancient castles are dotted with beautiful scenery, and it has the reputation of "French Garden". Many ancient castles were built during the war period in the Middle Ages. During the Hundred Years War, the French royal family took refuge in the Loire Valley. This area consists of the Château de Chambord, the Château de Chenonceau and the Château de Cheverny which form the Loire Valley castle complex. Chambord is one of the grander castles in the Loire Valley, with a history of more than 500 years. Chambord has two major attractions. One is the interior. It has 440 rooms and 84 stairs. Stepping into the main castle from the main entrance, you are immediately in a bright and spacious marble palace, facing the famous "double spiral staircase", which is the famous staircase of this palace. There are two sets of separate and staggered railings. The second is the wide tower top terrace. The castle's original function of military defense was built, but the tower top terrace of Chambord has completely become a good place to watch the garden scenery and rodeo.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Centre-Val de Loire

Chambord

Chambord is the larger and grander castle in the Loire Valley castle complex. It is a combination of the French medieval heritage and the innovative architecture of the Italian Renaissance. The castle was included in the World Heritage List in 1981 and is regarded as a national treasure by the French. The history of Chambord Castle Chambord was built in 1519 by François I of the Valois Dynasty as a hunting palace. It has a history of nearly 500 years. There are many forests here, rich in all kinds of food, wine and all kinds of wild animals. The castle is surrounded by river water, backed by the big forest, facing the Chambord garden, green trees, flowers, sculptures and clear lake water, which add radiance and beauty to each other, making people feel relaxed and happy. Large-scale Chambord is large in scale and majestic, with a length and width of more than 100 meters. The palace is white and gray. The carvings on the walls are very fine. 77 stairs, 282 chimneys and 426 rooms. On the first floor of the Royal Residence of Chambord, there is the bedroom, study, prayer room, etc. of Francois I. The vaulted ceiling is very beautifully carved and worth seeing. The interior of the palace is decorated with well-crafted velvet, and the walls with golden edges on a white background are brilliant, and the brocade tapestries hanging on the walls can be regarded as works of art. In the small theater on the south wing is the premiere of Molière's classic works "Mr. The hall on the second floor has a unique carving on the vault, which combines the initials "F" of François I with his salamander symbol, and there is a fireplace in the hall for indoor heating. Tower top terrace Chambord has a wide and unique tower top terrace, which was the place where the king and the royal family watched the garden scenery and rodeo. The tower is 56 meters high, and when you climb to the top of the tower, you can overlook the charming surrounding scenery, including the forest area of Chambord and the Loire River. There is a café on the terrace, where you can sit and have a drink and enjoy the beautiful view while enjoying the aroma of coffee.

No. 10 of Best Things to Do in Centre-Val de Loire

Château de Cheverny

Château de Cheverny is arguably one of the most beautifully furnished châteaux in theLoire Valley. The château has been open to the public since 1922, yet half of it remains a private residence. It is currently home to a marquis and his family, so you can truly experience life in a château. Its rich heritage, complete furnishings, unique charm, and exquisite decor are breathtaking. If you are a fan of The Adventures of Tintin, everything here will feel familiar, as author Hergé used this château as the blueprint for Marlinspike Hall. The château also features an exhibition dedicated to The Adventures of Tintin—Tintin fans won't want to miss this chance to get up close with their favorite comic characters!

No. 9 of Best Things to Do in Centre-Val de Loire

Royal Castle of Blois

The Royal Castle of Blois is located in the center of Blois. It is composed of buildings built between the 13th century and the 17th century. The four wings of the courtyard of the Royal Palace are a harmonious blend of various architectural styles, which are natural, showing the history and art of the castles of the Loire Valley in an all-round way. The Royal Castle of Blois was built under the auspices of French King Louis XII, François I and the Duke of Orléans, and has a total of 564 rooms, 75 staircases, and 100 bedrooms with fireplaces. The Royal Castle of Blois has been favored by successive French royal families. In French history, 7 kings and 10 queens have lived here successively. Here, the majesty of the royal power is revealed everywhere, and it also shows the daily life of the French royal family: the exquisite and gorgeous decorations, luxurious appliances, and the magnificent hall all show the splendor of the royal family at that time. The Royal Castle of Blois also enjoys the reputation of "French Museum". There are about 35,000 exquisite art treasures in the palace of Frasois I wing, and there is an art gallery in the palace of Louis XII. Paintings and sculptures from the 14th to 16th centuries are exhibited. If you want to know more about the unknown side of the Royal Castle of Blois, you can take part in the very special "VisiteInsolite" of the castle: you can enter the part of the castle that is not open to the public, and the 2-hour English explanation will Unravel the mystery of this castle for you. The "Exploration Tour" is limited to 18 people at a time and needs to be booked in advance. Another highlight of the Royal Castle of Blois is the unique sound and light show, which takes place almost every night from April to September 2014. With brilliant lighting and shocking sound effects, it tells a love-hate relationship that took place at the Royal Castle of Blois. The script is adapted from the script of the historian Alain Deco. Come here, don't miss this unforgettable 45 minutes. The sound and light show is equipped with multilingual simultaneous interpreters, so tourists who do not speak French need not worry. In addition, Joan of Arc also received the bishop's blessing and prayer here before setting off for the war. Luc Besson's film "Joan of Arc" was also filmed here.

National Estate of Chambord

Chateau de Villesavin

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Palace of Versailles

·Admire the ornate and imaginative architectural design of the Palace of Versailles ·Step into one of Europe's beautiful palace gardens and encounter forests, flower-lined paths, greenhouses, colonnades, temples, a village, and numerous marble statues scattered throughout ·Don't miss the Hall of Abundance, the Hall of Mars, the Hall of Peace, the Chapel, the Theater, and the King's and Queen's State Apartments. The Palace of Versailles was built during the reign of Louis XIV of France (1643-1715) and consists of the main palace castle, the gardens, the Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon, and the Queen's Hamlet of Marie Antoinette. On the first floor of the Palace of Versailles, there are the suites of the Dauphin and princesses, the chapel, and the palace history gallery. Its main views are concentrated on the second floor of the main building and in the gardens. Grand Trianon: Although it is much plainer than the main palace castle, it is the most elegant and refined of all the buildings in the Palace of Versailles. This palace, which is heavily influenced by Italian architectural styles, has only one floor. It is situated between courtyards and gardens, and is covered with a flat roof surrounded by a balustrade. Petit Trianon: This is a typical classical-style building, featuring a studio, bedroom, dressing room, and more. The Queen's Grove: The layout here reveals the Queen's wide-ranging interests and elegant taste, far from the extravagance of Versailles and not without traces of Enlightenment thought. △ The garden is bisected by a central east-west axis, with flowerbeds, tree-lined avenues, pools, and several fountains arranged on either side. Among them, the Latona Fountain and the Apollo Fountain lie on the central axis, featuring exquisite sculptures. △ The palace was decorated magnificently, with colorful marble walls dazzling to the eye and giant crystal chandeliers cascading down like waterfalls. △ The inner walls and dome are covered with murals, and the mythological stories depicted are so vivid that they seem to recount the glorious military achievements of the kings of the past.

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Eiffel Tower

·Climb the Eiffel Tower-a cultural symbol of France and one of the landmark buildings in Paris ·Overlook the beautiful city scenery of Paris, the whole Paris is at your feet, like a huge map in front of you. ·Learn about the tower's more than 100-year history through objects, posters, photos, sculptures, paintings and videos at the observation deck on the ground floor △ A new cultural path(1st floor): Screens, touch screens, displays, digital albums, reproductions of items, etc. allow you to find out about all aspects of the Eiffel Tower, many little known. △ Your arrival on the 2nd floor is marked by amazement: Paris in all her splendour greets your incredulous eyes. You will enjoy clear views of all of the French capital's monuments: the Louvre, Gran Palais, the bends in the Seine, Montmartre, Invalides, Notre Dame, etc. △ After a spectacular ascent in glass-walled lifts, you're finally here. 276m up with only the antennae above you, Paris lies at your feet. The noise of the boulevards can't reach you here, but the wind catches you and your heart begins to race.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris

Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris stands on the Île de la Cité on the banks of the Seine, built approx. between 1163 and 1250, and has witnessed the historical changes of Paris. This Gothic-style cathedral is world-famous due to the poetic description by French writer Victor Hugo in his novel of the same name, "Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris". Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris stands on the Île de la Cité in the middle of the Seine, with construction beginning in 1163 and largely completed by the mid-13th century. It is a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture and widely known due to Victor Hugo's novel of the same name. A fire in 2019 destroyed its spire and wooden roof structure, but after years of restoration, the cathedral reopened to visitors in December 2024, with the bell tower's summit access resuming shortly after. This phoenix-like structure has regained its status as one of Paris's most popular destinations. The cathedral's façade features three portals adorned with reliefs and statues depicting biblical stories, along with a row of royal stone figures, showcasing Gothic sculptural artistry at its finest. Inside, the restored stone walls and vaulted ceilings, now free of centuries-old soot, appear strikingly bright, while the three rose windows dazzle with color—particularly the southern one. The grand organ, with nearly 8,000 pipes and restored over several years, is equally worth admiring. Climbing the bell tower is a highlight: visitors ascend over 400 steps, passing the fantastical "gallery of chimeras" added during 19th-century renovations, where stone carvings of beasts and mythical creatures perch at railings—including the famous pensive "Stryge" gazing over Paris. The 17th-century "Emmanuel" bell, weighing over ten tons and rarely rung except on major occasions, can also be seen. From the nearly 70 m-high rooftop terrace, panoramic views encompass both banks of the Seine, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Sacré-Cœur, while the restored wooden framework and rebuilt spire can be examined up close between the towers. Practical tips: The tower climb requires moderate physical fitness, with narrow stairs and some crouch-walking sections; advance reservations for time slots are recommended due to limited capacity. Beneath the square in front lies the Crypte Archéologique de l'Île de la Cité, displaying urban relics from Roman times onward, with its entrance on the square. As the cathedral remains an active place of worship, visitors are asked to maintain quiet during masses.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Musee d'Orsay

The Musee d'Orsay, hailed as the "temple of Impressionism," offers visitors the chance to admire numerous Impressionist masterpieces by great artists and experience the magic of color and light. In the museum square, six bronze statues represent the six continents of the world; inside the museum, beneath the large glass dome, natural light pours through the glass onto each painting. Bathed in this natural light, one can more vividly experience the charm of the artworks and the creative passion of the artists. The palace of art, the holy land of "Impressionism" Across the river from the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay houses a collection of approx. over 4,000 artworks, including a vast array of French art created between 1848 and 1914, spanning painting, sculpture, decorative arts, and photography. Its collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings enjoys worldwide renown—masterpieces such as Monet's "Gare Saint-Lazare," Renoir's "Bal du moulin de la Galette," Van Gogh's "Starry Night Over the Rhône," and Manet's "Olympia" are all displayed here. Locals often say that for art created before 1848, one should go to the Louvre, and for modern art after 1914, one should go to the Centre Pompidou—and this museum bridges the two periods perfectly. Stepping inside, traces of the former railway station are still faintly discernible. At the center of the ground-floor hall runs a sculpture promenade, with exhibition rooms on both sides mainly displaying paintings and sculptures from the mid-19th century. At the far end stands a large cutaway model of the Paris Opera (Palais Garnier), meticulously revealing the opera house's interior structure. Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings are concentrated on the top floor, converted from the hotel rooms on the upper level of the former railway station. The space feels more intimate, and the natural light from the south-facing skylights evokes the lighting conditions under which the painters created their works. Six bronze statues stand in the square, each representing one of the world's six continents—relics of the original 1878 Exposition Universelle. Get a close-up view of the iconic clock at Musee d'Orsay