Christmas in Loire Valley châteaux
From December 2 to January 7, the spirit of the festive season takes over seven of the Loire Valley's most famous châteaux with the "Noël au pays des châteaux" event. In each location, magical decorations, staging and unique events featuring Santa Claus, storytelling and sweets are sure to delight young and old alike. Discover the program!
Christmas passes in the land of chateaux
A little, a lot, crazy? Throughout the duration of the event, benefit from preferential rates with Passes 3, 5 or 7 castles to discover in complete freedom. Bonus gift this holiday season: these Passes give you access to exclusive offers (discounts in toy, craft and local product stores and partner leisure providers: escape games, karting, etc.). Prices :
- €37.50 (3 castles)
- €57.50 (5 castles)
- €72.50 (7 castles)
On sale online on tourscitypass.com and in Touraine Tourist Offices.
![Château de Chenonceau de nuit]()
Christmas in the Land of Castles Pass
A " Noël au pays des châteaux" day out
On 22 December, take advantage of an excursion to discover the magical Christmas decorations in 3 of the châteaux taking part in the event. Loches, Chenonceau and Amboise open their doors to you for a day full of wonder.
All-inclusive stays
The Tours Loire Valley Tourist Office is offering a choice of three turnkey stays for a real Christmas tale. For a choice of 2 or 3 days, enjoy your Touraine escapade to the full. The package includes your Pass (for 3, 5 or 7 châteaux), overnight accommodation with breakfast in a 3-star hotel in Tours, dinners and a mulled wine and crêpe tasting at the Tours Christmas Market.
2 days / 1 night, 3 castles pass included
3 days / 2 nights, 5 castle pass included
3 days / 2 nights, 7 castle pass included
Schedule
Chenonceau Castle
From Palace to Palace, there's Chenonceau, the "Palazzo on the water"
The "château des dames" cultivates the art of entertaining and French savoir-faire. With timeless bouquets designed by Jean-François Boucher, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, and giant candy canes created by the Conservatoire de la Confiserie d'Amboise, Christmas brings together history, floral art and gourmet delights at Château de Chenonceau.
Entertainment: Wednesday December 27, "Féérie musicale des ronchons de NOEL" performed by 11 musicians from the Tours symphony orchestra (4 sets of 20 minutes each, in the Orangerie of the château, from 10:45 a.m. to approx. 2:30 p.m.).
Book your ticket for Chenonceau castle HERE.
Château d'Azay-le-Rideau
A Christmas to savor
Christmas is also a time for sumptuous meals and delicacies. In the heart of the "mirror castle", textile restorer and scenographer Catherine Mangou has imagined a décor based on gourmet delights. From room to room, the tables are richly garnished with unusual and refined arrangements, worthy of the most beautiful fairy tales and royal feasts.
Activities Tuesday to Friday, from December 26, 2023 to January 5, 2024:
Gourmet tours (11:00 am and 2:30 pm): to visit the château through the evolution of taste and delicacies, what could be more delicious than to wander through the château's rooms, discovering the sweets hidden in the Psyche tapestry, the secrets of Renaissance feasting or the introduction of chocolate in France. At the end of the tour, visitors will be offered some very tasty treats. Duration: 1h30. Ages 7 and up. Price: adults: €14.50 / children: €8
In the kitchen with Bertille (10:30 a.m.): guided through the château's rooms by Dame Bertille in her chef's outfit, young and old alike will discover what goes on behind the scenes of château life and the secrets of 19th-century gastronomy. After all, preparing meals and grand suppers for the Marquis and his guests is a very important mission. You've got to be busy in the kitchen, choosing succulent dishes and preparing them with artistry! Duration: 1 h. Ages 6 and up. Price: adults €13 / children €8
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Little recipes for parties: (10:15am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm and 3:30pm): a chef from "Tours à Table" leads a family cooking workshop using local ingredients. You'll concoct tasty dishes and enjoy them as you go! Duration: 1 hour. Ages 12 and up. Prices: adults: €30 / children: €21
Book online to take part in the activities. Registration at www.azay-le-rideau.fr
![Château de Chenonceau]()
Chenonceau Castle
![Château d'Azay-le-Rideau]()
Azay-le-Rideau Castle
Royal Fortress of Chinon Christmas myths and legends: Santa Claus takes up residence in the fortress
Emblematic figures of the festive season, Santa Claus and his elves have taken possession of Chinon Fortress. A festive, offbeat scenography retraces the secrets of Christmas preparations, from the making of presents to Santa's daily life. The visit continues in the Tour de l'Horloge, where a photo exhibition is dedicated to this legendary character.
Entertainment: every day, from December 23, 2023 to January 7, 2024, at 11 a.m., Santa's Race. Christmas is coming and Santa's not ready: there are still presents to wrap, the sleigh isn't loaded... in short, he needs help. Active and merry challenges ahead!
Duration: 1 hour. Participation in pairs: 1 adult and 1 child aged 7 and over. Limited to 12 people, by reservation on 02 47 93 13 45.
Child rate: €11. Adults: Fortress entrance fee.
Book your ticket for the Fortress of Chinon HERE.
Château of Langeais Christmas of Light
As the year draws to a close, the medieval castle reinterprets its tradition of light and plunges into the magic of Christmas. The banqueting hall glows with a thousand lights, the children's rooms are illuminated by the lanterns set out by the elves, and the procession of angels is shrouded in a golden halo - an installation that promises a magical visit.
Animations :
- Copywriter workshop, 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm Wednesday to Friday, December 27 to January 5. The New Year is just around the corner and you'd like to create a unique greetings card? Visit the copyist's workshop! After an introduction to calamus writing, you'll be able to create your own calligraphic greetings card. An elegant and original way to wish a happy new year. Ages 7 and up, no reservation necessary, subject to availability.
- Storytelling walk, at 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm from Tuesday December 26 to Friday December 29. It's Christmas! Preparations are underway for the banquet, but Anne de Beaujeu, the king's sister, looks preoccupied. The king is hunting in the park, the animals have taken refuge in the castle... and the cook wants to catch them too. Anne and the children set off to save them! Tender and magical, this stroll will transport young and old alike into the imaginary world of the Middle Ages. Duration 50 min.
Book your ticket for the Château de Langeais HERE.
![Forteresse de Chinon]()
Royal Fortress of Chinon
![Château de Langeais]()
Langeais Castle
Royal City of Loches
Fairy tales from the Cité Royale: once upon a time...
A fairytale, but which fairytale? This year, Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty meet up at the Cité Royale de Loches for a new imaginary story combining all the ingredients of fairy tales: a carriage that flies away, an evil queen, a mysterious forest... Staged by Philippe Freslon, creator and set designer of Compagnie Off.
Entertainments :
- A tale, but which tale? Comfortably seated in a magical setting, come and listen for 35 minutes to the retelling of "Snow White", "Cinderella" and "Sleeping Beauty". At the logis royal, Sundays December 3, 10 and 17 and every day from December 23, 2023 to January 7, 2024 at 11:00 am; 2:15 pm and 3:30 pm. Public: families with children (3-12 years), by reservation. Price: site entrance fee.
- What was winter in the Middle Ages? For 1 hour, come and learn what it was like to live in a castle during winter. How did medieval man adapt to this period? How was Christmas celebrated in the Middle Ages? In the keep, every Thursday and Saturday from December 23, 2023 to January 6, 2024 at 11:00 am. Public: families with teenagers (over 12). Reservations required (20 people maximum). Outdoor visit. Bring warm clothing. Price: site entrance fee.
Book your ticket for the Cité Royale de Loches HERE.
Villandry Castle At Christmas, nature invites itself to the château
As an extension of its famous gardens, the Château de Villandry invites the forest and its inhabitants into its Renaissance home. Every room, from the dining room to the bedrooms, will be filled with Christmas cheer, with richly decorated fir trees and natural greenery, to take you on a journey through a veritable plant fairytale.
Book your tickets for Villandry castle and gardens HERE.
![Cité Royale de Loches]()
Royal City of Loches
![Château de Villandry]()
Villandry Castle
![Château d'Amboise]()
Amboise Castle
Château Royal d'Amboise Christmas, childhood dreams: the mini worlds of Christmas. Journey into the world of the film Léo and tiny joys.
This year in Amboise, childhood dreams come true! The rooms of the royal dwelling are transformed into little worlds filled with poetry, thanks to models from the animated film "Léo", miniatures from the collections of the Musée de la Poupée eu du Jouet ancien de Wambrechies in the North of France, and dioramas of small lead figures from Maison Mignot.
Activities :
- "Christmas through the centuries" guided tours from Tuesday December 26 to Saturday December 30, at 3:30pm (1h), led by the château's tour guides! No reservation required, included in ticket price.
- "La mélodie de Gaspard" show by Compagnie des sans lacets, Wednesday December 27 at 2pm (45 minutes) for children aged 5 to 10. Reservations required, subject to availability. Admission to the monument + €4.50 supplement (per adult and per child).
- "Create your own mini-world" workshop, Friday December 29 at 2pm, for 7-10 year-olds. Children will be supervised by château staff (parents are not allowed to accompany them). Admission fee + €4.50 supplement per child. The workshop can be extended with a guided tour of "Christmas through the centuries" at 3:30pm.
- "Candlelight evening stroll" on December 29, to discover the "Christmas in castle country" scenography by candlelight! Reservations required on the online ticketing service: 15€/adult; 13€/student; 11€/child and 7€/subscriber. Entrance to the château is via 4 separate time slots: 6:30pm / 7pm / 7:30pm / 8pm. The château closes at 9pm. Please note: it will only be possible to enter the château during the selected time slot.
- Fairytale time: children's show for 7-10 year-olds by Jean-François Talon, Wednesday January 3 at 2pm (40 minutes). Reservations required, subject to availability. Admission to château + €3 supplement per child and parent. The show can be extended with the guided tour "Christmas through the centuries", at 3.30pm.
- Departmental competition for the best galette in Touraine on Thursday, January 4, from 4:30pm. After the awards ceremony, gourmets will be able to try out the best galettes! Included in château ticket.
Book your ticket for Amboise chateau HERE.
![Château de Chenonceau]()
Night visits to Chenonceau castle
Nocturnes at the châteaux
Each castle opens its doors for an evening to admire the decorations as night falls (until 8pm).
- Château d'Azay-le-Rideau: Saturday 9 December (until 8.30pm)
- Château de Villandry: Saturday 16 December
- Château royal d'Amboise: Friday 22 December
- Château de Chenonceau: Tuesday 26 December
- Château de Langeais: Wednesday 27 December
- Royal fortress of Chinon: Thursday 28 December
- Royal City of Loches: Friday 29 December
The Loire castles by train
To discover the "Christmas in the land of castles" events in all simplicity, opt for the train!
- Less than 15 minutes walk from destination stations: the castles of Chenonceau, Langeais, Blois and the Royal City of Loches.
- Between 15 and 25 minutes on foot from the destination stations: the Château Royal d'Amboise, with the Château du Clos-Lucé, the Royal Fortress of Chinon and the Château d'Azay-Le-Rideau
Rémi (Regional Interurban Mobility Network) offers two passes for unlimited travel at a reduced rate.
- “Rémi Découverte Pass”: unlimited travel in the Centre-Val de Loire region on the Rémi network at €45/2 days and €60/3 days for 1 to 5 people.
- “Rémi Découverte Plus Pass”: unlimited travel from Paris and the Centre-Val de Loire region on the Rémi network at €95/2 days and €120/3 days for 1 to 5 people.
