Which castle to visit in the Loire Valley in 2023?
The Loire Valley is worldwide known for its numerous castles and chateaux which were either built during the Middle-Ages or during the early French Renaissance. Their growing reputation is not only due to their listing in the Unesco World Heritage sites in 2000: the staff of our great monuments also worked hard to offer you, richer visits full of new experiences.
Visiting Loire valley chateaux is: a discovery of the monument with modern digital tools or a discovery of a fascinating exhibition, a walk through beautiful well-kept gardens as well as enjoying high quality services. And now? Which one to choose? Find below a few information to help you make your choice!
The top of the list in 2023
The Clos Lucé. Last home of Leonardo Da Vinci during the 16th century, it has been at the center of the celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the Renaissance in 2019. The place is above all renowned for the exhibition of some reproductions of Da Vinci’s prototypes and since 2021, for a 500 m² exhibition space dedicated to “Leonardo, painter and architect”. In 2023, an exhibition devoted to anatomy will plunge visitors into the mechanics of life. What a universal genius!
The Clos Lucé – Amboise
The royal chateau of Amboise. This year, your visit will be an opportunity to discover the restoration work (and the precious know-how of the craftsmen) of the Saint Hubert Chapel, where Leonardo da Vinci lies. And that’s not all: from 17 May to 28 August, the exhibition “The Order of Saint Michael and the rise of royal power” will present the skilful political activity of Louis XI, whose birth is being celebrated this year (1423 -2023).
The château of Chenonceau. If you visited the place more than two years ago, it means that you did not see the apothecary of Catherine de Medici, Russel Page’s garden and maybe the “Dôme” winery where it is possible to taste the Touraine-chenonceaux wine. In connection with the apothecary, a brand new garden highlights 45 medicinal and aromatic plants.
The royal château of Amboise - Loire Valley
The château of Chenonceau - Loire Valley
The chateau of Langeais
The chateau of Langeais. The year 2023 is marked by the anniversary of the birth of Louis XI (1423-2023). The Château de Langeais, built by this sovereign, is offering a year of events and activities around its builder king, culminating in an exhibition from 12 May to 12 November exploring his links with architecture.
The royal fortress of Chinon. From April, a new room will present the weapons and armour of the Hundred Years’ War. Histopad technology will also be used to create a new experience for visitors to the Treasure Tower, which has until now been closed to the public: the siege of the fortress in 1205 will be on the agenda. Also worth noting: The Chinon medieval festival, with the reconstruction of an encampment with knights, craftsmen, musicians and jugglers from 6 to 10 August. Not forgetting, every Thursday afternoon from 13 July to 31 August, the presence of a winegrower from the Chinon AOC for a tasting.
The Royal fortress of Chinon – Loire Valley
The Rivau chateau and its gardens. Artistic creations by Julien de Moutiers and Laurent Pernot will bring to 22 the works scattered in the fairy-tale gardens. They resonate with the cabinet of curiosities inside the castle, where 40 artists are part of the 2023 art exhibition on the theme “enchanter la terre” (Enchanting the earth). Of course, the secret garden will continue to delight the taste buds of gourmets, and many events will punctuate the life of the castle, in particular the rose festival scheduled for 3 and 4 June.
The royal city of Loches. After the exhibition on the influential Agnès Sorel in 2022, the scenographic tour will focus from April 2023 on Louis XI in Loches, from dauphin to king. As in Chinon, medieval days are planned from 10 to 15 August.
The Rivau Chateau and its gardens - Loire Valley
The Royal City of Loches - Loire Valley
The château of Azay-le-Rideau. The Azay evenings should once again be a great success in the middle of summer, from 12 July to 26 August. The multi-sensory tour will combine sight, smell and hearing to fully transport you into the history of the monument, from the lifestyle of the lords of the Renaissance to the castle life of the Marquis de Biencourt in the 19th century, via the stay of King Louis XIII in 1619. This immersive visit will be offered continuously from 7pm to 11pm, Wednesday to Saturday (last access at 10pm). For families of 7-12 year olds, the « Archifacile! » tours will shed light on the secrets of the beauty of this jewel of French architecture and the instructions for creating a real masterpiece. They are offered on Tuesdays and Fridays, from 12 July to 18 August at 4.30pm, by reservation.
The castle of Azay-le-Rideau by night
Other places to visit?
Yes, please! The Montbazon Fortress, the chateaux of Langeais, Villandry, Ussé, l’Islette, Gizeux, Champchevrier, Montrésor, Montpoupon, Candé estate, the royal estate of Château Gaillard… there is always a castle to visit in Touraine!