The castle at Azay le Rideau faces across the river (and the moat formed by the river) to the south, and is most attractive and most photographed from the park on the other side of the river.

The castle forms an ‘L’ shape, with each corner of the castle having a tower. While the exterior appearance is the most unforgettable aspect of the castle, the inside is also remarkable with several extravagantly furnished rooms. You will discover beautiful paintings and fireplaces, with the later rooms on the tour having more recent furnishings to represent the different eras in the life of the castle. Take note of the staircase and the beautifully decorated ceiling decorations. Aslo be sure to check out the gardens and the parkland that surrounds the castle, where you’ll find several mature trees and a small island, the island of la Remoniere.

A guided tour is highly recommended. Unaccompanied tours with a guide booklet are available in 11 different languages. Audio-Guided tours are available in 5 different languages, including English, reservations are required. Guided tours are available, however these are only in French. The tour lasts for about an hour and half.

The Loire Valley has something to offer all year round. However, the best time to visit is in the last spring and summer months when the weather is nice and the gardens are in full bloom. During mid May and early June, the chateaux gardens start to come alive with beautiful colors and the days become longer as the weather warms. This is also a great time to go before the significant crowds come in high season over the summer.

The Loire Valley is in full swing from late June to early September, which means light and fountain shows, festivals, and fully blossomed gardens. This time of the year also brings in lots of tourists, so expect longer lines than in the shoulder season. The weather can also get very hot and sometimes unbearable, especially if you are considering cycling through the Loire Valley.

Three to four days in the Loire Valley region is a sufficient amount of time to explore the area and see the popular chateaux. There are many castles in between the chateaus worth visiting as well. Visiting about two or three chateaux per day is about the most you’ll want to schedule, more than that can be overkill. There is also plenty more to see in the Loire Valley.

Where to stay in the Loire Valley will depend on your plans while you are here. The region stretches over 170 miles and offers several charming accommodations in and around the Loire Valley.

For ease of getting around with great public transportation, Tours is a perfect spot to base yourself. Tours is near many chateaux located in the west: Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry, and Chinon. Many of the guided tours leave from Tours as well. Orleans is another great city to stay where you’ll be nearby to explore some of the lesser known but just as remarkable chateaus such as Meung-sur-Loire, and Chateau of Chamerolles.

For something more peaceful, Amboise or Blois are great options. Both of these towns are centrally located to explore the Loire Valley, and both are very charming. Tours and Orleans are two smaller towns, offering a quiet alternative with lovely accommodations.

The Loire Valley is more rural which means it is less common to find people that speak English. Most often English (or broken English) may be spoken at your hotel and in the tourist area, but not everywhere. We suggest you get a good English-French guidebook or app and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

The Loire Valley is world-famous for its wines but the area also produces some delicious dishes to accompany the wine. Try one of the local goat’s cheeses, including Crottin de Chavignol, Sainte Maure de Touraine and Valençay. Rilletes de porc from Tours are just as popular as those from Le Mans and andouillette sausage cooked in Vouvray wine is a popular dish. Other specialties include truffiat (a puff pastry filled with potatoes and cheese) and one of France’s best-known desserts, tarte Tatin, which originated in the Centre-Val de Loire region.

The eating options in the Loire Valley are endless, with plenty of vineyards and cities to visit all offering a change of scenery. Make sure to check out the restaurant options in the heart of chateau country (between Tours and Amboise). Here you'll find charming restaurants offering up some of the most impressive après-dinner cheese carts in the region, as well as excellent breads, pastries and wines.

The currency of France is the Euro. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airports and train stations. For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in France by clicking here.

In an emergency dial 112 is the general emergency services number or 114 for hearing assistance.