It wasn’t fairly Christmas − extra like November − after I determined to tour the Loire Valley for just a few days, and discovered that a lot of my favourite castles dressed up for Christmas. Welcome to 6 castles I visited for “Christmas within the Land of Castles.”

This isn’t my common kind of story, until by story you imply pictures.

I received’t be writing about every château’s historical past or the anecdotes behind them proper right here.

This story is about Christmas, about what it appears to be like like within the magnificent Loire Valley, and what you would possibly see in case you embody these châteaux in your Christmas itinerary.

From extraordinary floral preparations to exhausting sweet teddy bears, every fort has a definite theme which modifications yearly.

Nevertheless a lot we love our Christmas markets or the vacation lights of Paris, there’s as a lot to be stated for grand eating room tables heaving with Christmas fare, and decorations that shimmer when the air is wintery and crisp.

As evening falls early on this season, lights are fast to twinkle in opposition to the blue hour, bringing the castles to magical life.

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If you wish to spend  you’ll be heading to Every year, various castles (seven at current) within the Touraine band collectively below the umbrella of “Christmas within the Land of Castles”, or Noël au pays des châteaux, because it’s known as.

The Touraine, by the way in which, is the normal identify of the realm now lined principally by the Indre-et-Loire département.

I am simply again, and right here’s what’s on supply for the 2024-5 Christmas season!


1. Château d’Azay-le-Rideau

Azay-le-Rideau has a distinction that can endlessly stick in your reminiscence when you’ve seen it: it’s constructed over the water.

This basic view of Azay-le-Rideau is memorable and doesn’t change with the seasons ©OffbeatFrance

Nevertheless spectacular the outside, the inside additionally stands as much as the hardest scrutiny, on this case − Christmas Delights, with a give attention to gingerbread.

Anticipate intricately adorned biscuits, beautiful gingerbread homes, and gingerbread tree ornaments. In fact you’ll additionally get your fill of lavish banquet tables, to not point out artistic plant preparations.

You’ll really feel such as you’re proper again in childhood, and I admit I used to be sorely tempted to achieve out, for just a bit style… however I grasped my telephone tightly and took these pictures as an alternative.

Gingerbread building and white branches at Azay-le-Rideau castle at Christmas
Gingerbread building and white branches at Azay-le-Rideau castle at Christmas
Gingerbread food concoctions on a table with a medieval tapestry as backdrop at Azay-le-Rideau castle at Christmas
Gingerbread decorations and gifts under the tree, with the famous François I salamander fireplace in the background, at Azay-le-Rideau castle at Christmas
A giant gingerbread centerpiece on a table with candles at Azay-le-Rideau castle at ChristmasGingerbread takes heart stage at Christmas at Azay-le-Rideau ©OffbeatFrance

2. Château de Villandry

It’s possible you’ll be acquainted with Villandry, its gorgeous Renaissance gardens a factor of magnificence, painstakingly restored within the early twentieth century by Dr. Joachim Carvallo and his spouse, Ann Coleman, who bought the uncared for property in 1906 and devoted their lives to it.

In season, because of this most individuals go to.

Famous flower and vegetable gardens at Villandry CastleThat is the Villandry most individuals know…

Come Christmas, although, all of the motion strikes indoors.

So it ought to come as no shock that Villandry banks on nature for its celebrations, with this yr’s theme being “At Christmas, nature invitations itself to the château.”

Rooms are taken over by an eclectic assortment of plant-based decorations, with particular shows that embody reindeer, fawns, owls, squirrels, and foxes. Head upstairs and also you’ll discover an unbelievable enchanted forest and winter wonderland, which can delight the little ones you would possibly convey alongside.

Red and white flowers over grass on a mantlepiece at Villandry Castle over Christmas
A lovely Christmas arrangement of owls on a tree at Villandry Castle at Christmas
A reindeer in snow is part of the Christmas decor at Villandry Castle

3. Château de Chenonceau

Chenonceau, the well-known “Château of the Women,” is among the Loire Valley’s most beloved castles, regardless of the season.

It’s identified for its superb floral preparations year-round, however it doubles down for the winter holidays. 

After I visited, the château had partnered with the distinguished Maison Bernardaud, a French porcelain producer established in 1863 in Limoges. The theme? “Chenonceau, a porcelain Christmas”, with porcelain objects woven into the Christmas decor, an sudden mix of French savoir-vivre and vacation spirit.

The château’s well-known grand gallery is full of an unlimited banquet desk that pays homage to Catherine de Medici’s love of birds, with porcelain shows blended in with nature. All through Chenonceau, I discovered extremely unique creations, some which I needed to return to look at a second time.

See for your self!

Ochre-tinted decorations hanging at Chenonceau Castle for Christmas
Christmas trees and teddy bears as arrangements at Chenonceau Castle for Christmas
Teddy bears made of candies in various primary colors created for Chenonceau Castle for Christmas
Delicate porcelain bulbs designed like a bouquet for Chenonceau Castle at Christmas
Simple flower and lights arrangement at Chenonceau Castle at Christmas
Beautiful Bernardaud porcelain vases decorate Chenonceau Castle at Christmas
Banquet table set up for Christmas at Chenonceau CastleThe blending of porcelain with a spread of different supplies works fantastically at Chenonceau for Christmas. Simply above, a tiny portion of the banquet desk within the Grand Gallery ©OffbeatFrance

4. Château de Langeais

Langeais is a unique form of fairy-tale fort: it has a correct drawbridge and gate, and stepping by it, you’re additionally touring again in time to the Center Ages.

Over Christmas, Langeais, a late medieval fortress, turns into a spectacle of sunshine.

Inside, I discovered candles, lanterns and garlands all over the place, and complicated lighting results, making a dreamlike environment. This festive illumination, designed by Christopher Lacassagne of Compagnie Quart de Soupir, combines historical past with vacation and is gorgeous to see.

Christmas decorations in red at Chateau d Langeais
Luxurious banquet table all set for Christmas at Chateau de Langeais
Ethereal blue decorations at Christmas for Langeais Castle
Eclectic, original Christmas decorations with a medieval tapestry in the background at Langeais CastleChristmas spirit at Château de Langeais, a mixture of sunshine and medieval magnificence ©OffbeatFrance

5. Forteresse de Chinon

Chinon could also be often known as the place the place Joan of Arc met the long run Charles VII for the primary time, so I wasn’t shocked it selected to honor girls for Christmas. But they weren’t pondering of Joan of Arc however of one other girl, Eleanor of Aquitaine, born 900 years in the past.

Floral designer Géraldine Leclerc and ornamental artist Véronique Chauvet made it occur, a second in time gone, devoted to Eleanor of Aquitaine and Marie of Anjou, Charles VII’s spouse. In fact the decor features a banquet desk (when does it not?) from Eleanor’s period, and a particular exhibition detailing her private objects and lodgings.

In a extra modern vein, a photograph exhibition within the Clock Tower showcases trendy girls reclaiming their energy by artwork.

A loaded banquet table, with a crown hanging from the ceiling and a dressed bird in a dish at Chinon FortressA banquet as it might have been served in Eleanor of Aquitaine’s time, with the chook dressed on the heart of the dish and the standard eight-sided crown ©OffbeatFrance
Benches and blue-green lights glowing in a room that was once used as a chapel in Chinon FortressThis room would have as soon as been a chapel – right here, it was re-created ©OffbeatFrance
Medieval throne or chair decorated for Christmas at Chinon FortressBirds are skilfully intertwined in these floral preparations ©OffbeatFrance

6. Cité Royale de Loches

Loches has performed many roles in France’s historical past, however is probably higher often known as the château that housed the attractive and classy Agnès Sorel, mistress to King Charles VII (he who owed his crown to Joan of Arc). She is named the primary mistress, since she is the primary girl at courtroom to be acknowledged as such.

However that’s a narrative for one more time.

Every year, Loches celebrates Christmas by portraying a well-known fairy-tale, on this case, the Brothers Grimm story of Hansel and Gretel, with hints of the story scattered all through the fort.

Christmas trees in a cavernous medieval room of Loches castle
A blue paper-maché rendering of a scene from Hansel and Gretel as portrayed at Loches castle for Christmas
A giant axe portrays the woodcutter, the father of Hansel and Gretel, who bemoaned their poverty, which led to their abandonment deep in the forestVaried scenes painting the story of Hansel and Gretel on the Cité Royale de Loches. Right here, there’s a trace of the kids’s father, a woodcutter, who bemoaned the household’s poverty and led to their kids’s abandonment deep within the forest ©OffbeatFrance

7. Château d’Amboise

Amboise was the one fort out of seven that I used to be sadly unable to go to on my Christmas swing however I’ve been right here earlier than and have a specific fondness for it.

amboise castle

This Christmas, the theme was “Kingdom of Toys,” superimposing toys from historical past with extra trendy ones. I perceive the impact was fairly whimsical, and is described as “enjoyable journeys by time, with the spider-king Louis XI dealing with as much as a Spiderman motion determine, Leonardo da Vinci making an attempt out a development set and King Louis-Philippe driving an electrical prepare.”

It sounds enjoyable and whereas these exhibitions solely final one season, I’ll pay homage to Amboise subsequent time I’m within the Loire Valley by going there first.

Earlier than you go…

These castles all have centuries of historical past behind them, so that you’ll find yourself with a unprecedented visible expertise once you go to.

Because the themes change annually, verify the annual Christmas program that comes out within the fall on their web site. It’s also possible to purchase your entrance tickets or multi-castle passes, in addition to packages that mix the fort move with resort bookings.

It is completely value placing this in your agenda in case you’re in France in winter and are in search of one thing completely different. I spoke with the assorted guides and ticket sellers I met concerning the recognition of the Christmas occasions they usually informed me that on common, since these particular Christmas themes had been launched, attendance throughout this time had roughly doubled.

Christmas in France with a contact of grandeur…


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