Photo : Krzysztof Golik / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Château de Blois
The royal château of Blois rises on a promontory overlooking the Loire and the Arrou. The place has been fortified since very ancient times and the castle played a leading role in the history of France, particularly in the sixteenth century. It also offers a view of French architecture from the Middle Ages to the seventeenth century, through its different wings.
The Francis I wing, built between 1515 and 1524, is famous for its monumental staircase, decorated with carved motifs, which served as the Court's state entrance. The royal apartments keep traces of wall paintings and carved ceilings. The visit also leads to the States General halls and to Catherine de' Medici's study, nicknamed the "room of secrets", whose cupboards are hidden behind carved wooden panels.
The entrance ticket gives access to the Fine Arts museum housed in the castle. Blois is in the Loir-et-Cher, on the right bank of the Loire, in the heart of the Loire Valley.
