The city center has large pedestrian areas such as the Rue du Commerce and Place Louis XII. The city can easily be explored by foot. There are 4 Waymarked pedestrian circuits in Blois. The tourist information center next to the Chateau can provide information and maps.

The Navette de Centre-Ville (city-center shuttle), run by Azalys, circles the city center every 12 minutes from 9:00am to 7:24pm Monday to Saturday. Stops include the train station, the château and rue Denis Papin.

From June to September, you can take a bus (www.tlcinfo.net; Tel. 02-54-58-55-44) from the Blois train station to tour châteaux in the area, including Chambord, Chaumont, Chenonceau, and Amboise.

Traveling to nearby cities by train:
The Blois-Chambord train station is 0.3 miles west (up the hill) from Blois` château. France has a wide network of trains that connect most major towns and cities throughout the country.

Amboise: Around €7.20, 15 minutes, 16 to 25 daily
Orléans: Around €11.50, 33 to 43 minutes, 14 to 25 daily
Paris Gare d’Austerlitz: Around €29.40, 1½ hours, five direct daily
Tours: Around €11.20, 40 minutes, 14 to 22 daily

You will not need a car once you get into the city center of Blois as it is easy to get around by walking. The streets of the city are narrow and not adapted to mass traffic. If you plan to explore the Loire Valley, a car is one of the best ways to travel and give you more flexibility to get to many more places.

In and around the city center, all-day parking costs €5 in green parking zones. For free parking, head to quai Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny (promenade Pierre Mendès-France), on the river northeast of the D956 bridge; or promenade Edmond Mounin, on the river 0.6 miles southwest of the bridge.

Funded by 65 Loire municipalities, Châteaux à Vélo maintains 250 miles of marked bike routes to and around Blois, Chambord, Cheverny and Chaumont-sur-Loire. Get route maps, a useful mobile app and the latest weather reports from the website, or pick up brochures at local tourist offices.

Cycling along the Loire Valley, there are many itineraries to choose from:
-Briare - Sancerre (29 miles)
-Orléans - Saint-Hilaire - Saint-Mesmin - Beaugency (18.5 miles)
-Tours - Villandry - Ussé - Candes-St-Martin - Saumur (52 miles)
-Mareau-aux-Prés - Beaugency - Lestiou (16 miles)
-Langeais - Chinon (25 - 37 miles)
-Chinon - Saumur via Fontevraud - The troglodyte route (25 miles)
-Saumur - Angers (31 miles)
-Savennières - Liré (31 miles)

Detours de Loire, part of a valley-wide bike-rental network, rents bikes a block from the train station. Traineurs de Loire, 1 rue Chemonton (www.traineursdeloire.com; Tel. 02-54-79-36-71) is a bike rental company in Blois. Rentals start at 6€ per hour, 13€ per day, open April to October.

Taxis are an option for getting around the immediate town of Blois. The best way to get a taxi is to call one of the agencies ahead of time to arrange for a pick-up. Most hotels, restaurants, and bars will be happy to make this call for their customers. Because many drivers do not speak English, it is a wise idea to bring along a map with the desired destination circled.

Taxi Radio Blois based at the train station.

Eco Shuttle Blois can transport you to one or more area châteaux for day trips of 2½ to 9½ hours.