Blois

Blois is the prefecture of Loir-et-Cher, halfway between Tours and Orléans, on the Loire. Capital of a county created in 832, it was attached to the royal domain in 1397. In the Renaissance, Louis XII set up his court there and made it his royal residence, which explains the importance of its castle, whose François I wing houses the famous spiral staircase. The town has about 47,000 inhabitants.

Besides the castle, you can discover the cathedral of Saint-Louis, the church of Saint-Nicolas and an old town with sloping lanes that run down to the river. The Jacques-Gabriel bridge, built in 1724, links the two banks and offers a fine view over the rooftops. Blois is also on the EuroVelo 6 cycle route, which follows the Loire, and is a good stage for visiting the valley of castles.

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