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Luxury travel blog » Places » Europe » France » Christmas in the Loire Valley chateaux

Christmas in the Loire Valley chateaux

December 15, 2016 by Carol Perehudoff 18 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links.

If there is one place that does the festive season right, it’s the Loire Valley of France. Here’s a quick rundown of how Christmas in the Loire Valley chateaux is celebrated.

Holiday season in the Loire Valley of France

 

Christmas in the Loire Valley chateaux

There are two ways you could look at spending Christmas visiting Loire Valley chateaus. One, it will absolutely ruin your festive holiday because as you wander through all the splendour it becomes sadly clear to you that you will never be a King of France or even a Duke of Orléans and have a fabulous French castle all to yourself.

Christmas in the Loire Valley chateaus

 

The hopeful way of visiting the Loire Valley during the holidays

The other way of spending Christmas in the Loire Valley is to delude yourself that by working hard, drinking lots of Saumer wine from the Loire Valley region and wearing Renaissance outfits while out buying baguettes at your local boulangerie, you will magically be granted at the very least, a knighthood, and at best, a dukedom with a grand chateau of your own.

I prefer that option.

Are you overwhelmed planning a trip to the Loire Valley? Read my Loire Valley Castles itinerary for everything you need to know.
Christmas in the Val de Loire

Christmas spirit, French style

 

There’s another option for spending Christmas visiting Loire Valley chateaux

The other option is to visit the top chateaux of France, ooh and awe over their lavish holiday decorations and imagine yourself to be living there during a time when there were endless balls, court festivities and feasts.

So let’s do that right now. Here’s a quick recap of our whirlwind Christmas in the Loire Valley Chateaux, part of my Festive France blogger trip.

 

 

Five chateaux of the Loire Valley to visit

After flying Air France to Paris (did you know you can get a free stopover in Paris if you fly to another city in France?), we hopped on a train then visited five French chateaux in the Loire Valley in two and a half days (yes, I am a little fatigued, thanks for asking), and after every single chateau I thought we should quit while we were ahead because there was no way the next one could be as spectacular. And then it was.

Because just like a Christmas snowflake (a really ostentatious snowflake), each chateau has its own particular grace, magnificence and charm.

 

First stop, the Chateau de Meung-sur-Loire

CChateau de Meung-sur-Loire

Chateau de Meung-sur-Loire

A French chateau with imagination

Chateau de Meung-sur-Loire not far from the city of Orleans is a dangerous place at Christmas. You are very likely to run into a wolf or a reindeer in the drawing room, because for the holidays this entire Loire Valley chateau has been taken over by wild beasts wearing medieval finery.

Christmas in the Loire Valley chateaus

Beware, or you could be Christmas dinner

 

The Chateau de Meung-sur-Loire is popular with locals, which is why it’s so fun to visit – because there are all these handsome Frenchmen, er, Frenchwolves hanging about.

They’re er, positively foxy, especially if you like your dates to sport antlers, furry noses and military uniforms.

Christmas at Chateau de Meung-sur-Loire Loire Vally chateaus

Torn between two stuffed lovers

 

Next up, the Domaine de Chambord

One of the most visited chateaus in the Loire Valley is the magnificent Domaine de Chambord. Surrounded by forest, it’s the largest of all the Loire Valley chateaus.

Domaine de Chambord, Chateaus in the Loire Valley France

Domaine de Chambord

 

The Domaine de Chambord at Christmas time

The immense Chateau de Chambord is more like a monument than a lived-in home, though personally I could easily make myself comfy here. It was built for King Francois I in the 16th century though he rarely spent time here.

Christmas at the Domaine de Chambord

Christmas at the Domaine de Chambord

 

A Gothic-inspired masterpiece

In addition to experiencing the sheer magnificence of the chateau, with its famous double-spiralled staircase, towers, turrets and endless carvings of the salamander, which was the emblem of Francois I, one of the best ways to experience Christmas at the Domaine de Chambord is to visit the Biscuiterie de Chambord, a cookie store on the castle grounds.

 

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Don't miss the beautiful Loire Valley chateaus of France at Christmas. The holiday decor is fabulous.

 

A Loire Valley Christmas involves sugar

What? You think chateau visits should be all about dates and history instead of cookies? What kind of festivities are you planning?

I’ll have you know I had to sample at least 12 different kinds of famous local biscuits along with my partner in crime, travel blogger Rachel LaTour from Decouverte Monde and our trusty PR guide, driver and organizer, Vanessa Treney from the Tourism Centre Loire Valle, and it was a lot of work.

biscuiterie de chambord at chateau chambord Loire Valley

Cookie monster

 

So you visit chateaux your way, I’ll visit them mine.

Which is better, France in the summer or winter?Read the best time to visit France

 

Now on to the Chateau de Cheverny

Chateau de Cheverny at Christmas

Chateau de Cheverny

 

A chateau with warmth

Chateau de Cheverny has a homier feel than the Domain de Chambord, probably because it’s one of the few grand chateaus in the Loire Valley privately owned and lived in.

It’s also the home of Tintin and Captain Haddock, who, in the Adventures of Tintin, live in Marlinspike Hall, which is modelled after the one and only Chateau de Cheverny.

Loire Valley Festive France for Christmas

Chateau Cheverny

 

What to wear at a grand chateau in France

Another reason I like Chateau de Cheverny is because it takes the guesswork out of what to wear for Christmas dinner. You simply wear your Christmas tree. France is so fashion forward, don’t you think?

Christmas tree dress at Chateau de Cheverny Loire Valley

Yes, I would wear this dress

 

Chateau de Chenonceau

One of the mightiest chateaus of all is at the same time the most feminine, home to many a forceful noblewoman such as Catherine de Medici and Diane de Poitiers.

Chateau de Chenonceau Loire Valley France

Chateau de Chenonceau

 

The floral atelier at Chateau de Chenonceau does Christmas right

The Chateau de Chenonceau takes its flower arranging and holiday decorations seriously. In fact it’s the only chateau with its own floral atelier and each room is more gasp-worthy than the next.

Chateau de Chenonceau Loire Valley at Christmas

The Catherine de Medici Gallery

 

Rooms of splendour

From the long galleries to the richly-decorated bedrooms lined with tapestries and Nordic-inspired Christmas decor, your head will be swivelling around like an owl on steroids, and I can just imagine the castle in the summer when the blooms are in full force.

Most important chateaus in the Loire Valley Chenonceau

I’d sleep here

 

Royal Chateau d’Amboise

Our Christmas in the Loire Valley chateaus ended with the fairytale-like Chateau d’Amboise, another home of King Francois I.

Christmas at Loire Valley chateaus Amboise

Chateau d’Amboise

 

Christmas events at Chateau d’Amboise

At Chateau d’Amboise, after trying my hand at making a marzipan Santa Claus (I accidentally gave him a white hat) and failing miserably at Renaissance dancing, I spent as much time as possible hanging around the castle interior enjoying the Christmas spirit, and not just because I was suffused with the feeling of holiday goodwill, but because it was raining outside and I was trying to stay warm.

Christmas in Loire Valley chateaus chateau d'Amboise

Creche-mas

 

Christmas nativity scene at the Chateau d’Amboise

This gave me time to take a good long look at the castle’s marvellous nativity scene. All the terracotta pieces come from Naples which, I learned, is the centre for artisanal Christmas figurines. Who knew? You can really learn a lot in a French chateau, even if it’s not always about France.

Loire Valley Christmas Leonardo da Vinci tomb at Chateau d'Amboise

Leonardo lies here

 

Speaking of things that are not always about France, the very famous Italian painter, Leonardo da Vinci, is buried at the Royal Chateau d’Amboise, and somehow when I visited his tomb, I imagined he was sharing the spirit of a Loire Valley Christmas right along with us. And I just hope you do, too.

 

Thanks to Atout France for organizing this trip, as well as partners RailEurope, Air France and MyWebSpot, which helped keep me connected along the way.

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If you like Christmas lights, French style and holiday decor, don't miss seeing the grand chateaus of the Loire Valley at Christmas.

 

Read more about travelling to France in the winter at Romantic Paris at Christmas time. Or Read more about top European destinations.

 

 

 

Filed Under: France, Tours

About Carol Perehudoff

A former freelance travel columnist for the Toronto Star, Carol has won more than 20 writing and blogging awards and honours. A spa and luxury travel expert, she's written for top travel publications around the globe.

Comments

  1. Karla says

    December 20, 2016 at 12:38 am

    I’ve been wanting to visit this place for the longest time. Perhaps when there are less people it would be better but I absolutely love this place. It seems like Christmas in France is very festive

  2. Carol Perehudoff says

    December 19, 2016 at 8:45 am

    It would be pretty prickly though, Megan. Thanks for commenting.

  3. Carol Perehudoff says

    December 19, 2016 at 8:45 am

    I’d love to visit the Loire region in summer and doing wine tastings. You must have had a great time, Leah.

  4. mappingmegan says

    December 19, 2016 at 8:09 am

    Thanks for sharing how Christmas in the Loire Valley chateaus is celebrated … I can’t think of a better way to spend the holidays … LOVE the Christmas tree dress from Chateau de Cheverny … I would absolutely wear that!!

  5. Leah Walker (@L_e_a_h) says

    December 19, 2016 at 6:42 am

    You got a great region! I spent a week drinking wine in the Loire Valley this summer. It’s a fantastic part of France, and one I need to get back to soon. France does Christmas so well, and I’m lucky to live in Paris. It’s just magical. Next year, I’m getting to the Loire chateaux!

  6. Carol Perehudoff says

    December 18, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    Thanks so much Shobha, I don’t usually think about France for Christmas either, but it’s a great time of year to go.

  7. Carol Perehudoff says

    December 18, 2016 at 4:30 pm

    Disney times twenty, Tom!

  8. shobha42016 says

    December 18, 2016 at 4:24 pm

    Fun! We’ve been to the Loire valley chateaux a few times but I’ve never thought about going at Christmas. I think that might have to change – your photos make it look so pretty.

  9. Tom says

    December 18, 2016 at 2:03 pm

    It looks like having Christmas whilst in the middle of a Disney film set! It’s absolutely beautiful!

  10. Carol Perehudoff says

    December 18, 2016 at 7:58 am

    It’s definitely a dress not to travel with, Amelie.

  11. Carol Perehudoff says

    December 18, 2016 at 7:56 am

    Hi Anna,
    I’ve spend a lot of Xmas’s in Asia, too. All the warmth makes up for the festive trees, but still, I’m surprised I didn’t tour the Loire Valley sooner. Thanks for commenting.

  12. Carol Perehudoff says

    December 18, 2016 at 7:55 am

    How wonderful, J. – France is Christmas time is the best. I’d love to try a Buche Noel.

  13. Luxe Adventure Trvlr (@jdomb) says

    December 18, 2016 at 6:25 am

    This is my third Christmas in France and I love how festive it gets at the holidays with all the lights and decorations. I also can’t wait to eat Bûche Noël, a traditional Christmas cake served over the holidays. Of course, add in some of the best wine in the world and it’s a wonderful time of year to be in France!

  14. Rhonda Albom (@RhondaAlbom) says

    December 18, 2016 at 6:14 am

    The chateaus are elegant and incredible. Christmas time in the Loire valley sounds very special.

  15. anna says

    December 18, 2016 at 12:03 am

    Im spending Christmas in Asia- this definitely got me in a festive mood! Love the decorations.

  16. Amelie Gagne says

    December 17, 2016 at 1:40 pm

    LOL at the Christmas tree dress. Super casual. Problem is – how do you travel with that things!? :P

  17. Carol Perehudoff says

    December 17, 2016 at 6:55 am

    I agree. You avoid the crowds in the chateaus and get all the lights, Love and Road.

  18. Love and Road (@LoveandRoad) says

    December 17, 2016 at 4:25 am

    This looks like an excellent timing to visit the Loire at this time of the year! Very informative! Thank you!

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