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Christmas in the Val de Loire

Festive Christmas in the Loire Valley Chateaux of France

Luxury travel blog » Places to Travel » Europe Travel » France » Festive Christmas in the Loire Valley Chateaux of France
December 19, 2016 by Carol Perehudoff

Here's a glimpse of the holiday celebrations at the amazing chateaux of the Loire Valley.

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 is a look back at my Christmas at some of the incredible Loire Valley chateaux.

Holiday season in the Loire Valley of France

 

Christmas in the Loire Valley

There are various ways you can look at spending Christmas visiting Loire Valley chateaux.

  1. It will ruin your festive holiday because as you wander through all the splendour it becomes clear you will never be a King of France or even a Duke of Orléans and have a fabulous French castle in Loire Valley all to yourself.
  2. Delude yourself that by drinking lots of Saumer wine from the Loire Valley region and wearing Renaissance outfits while 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 the second option.

Don’t worry, there’s a third way to experience the holidays in this scenic area of central France.

Christmas in the Loire Valley chateaus

 

Overwhelmed by 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

The Best Way to Spend the Holidays at the Loire Valley Chateaux

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

Let’s do that now. Because today, the lavish decor and festive spirit in these grand castles of France are a sure way to put you into the holiday mood.

 

 

Five Chateaux of the Loire Valley to Visit in December

I visited five chateaux and at every one I thought I should quit while I was ahead because there was no way the next one could be as spectacular. And then it was.

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

CChateau de Meung-sur-Loire
Chateau de Meung-sur-Loire

The Chateau de Meung-sur-Loire

The 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 transforms.

When we were there it was taken over by wild beasts in 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.

This ancient castle is one of the more unusual chateaux in the Loire Valley. With one part medieval and one part classical, it’s known as the Chateau with Two Faces, and presents two different facades to the world.

If you love dungeons and underground passages, it has that, too.

Christmas at Chateau de Meung-sur-Loire Loire Vally chateaus
Torn between two stuffed lovers

The Domaine de Chambord

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

Domaine de Chambord, Chateaus in the Loire Valley France
Domaine de Chambord

The Chateau 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 enjoy Christmas at the Domaine de Chambord is to visit the Biscuiterie de Chambord, a cookie store on the castle grounds.

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

 

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.

 

Chateau de Cheverny at Christmas
Chateau de Cheverny

The Chateau de Cheverny

The Chateau de Cheverny has a homier feel than the Domain de Chambord. That’s because it’s one of the few grand chateaux 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 at Christmas

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

The Chateau de Chenonceau

One of the mightiest chateaux 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 the 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, my head was swivelling around like an owl on steroids. 

The Xmas decor at the Chateau de Chenonceau take three months to plan and prepare and it’s truly a sweet-scented way to enjoy the holidays.

Most important chateaus in the Loire Valley Chenonceau
I’d sleep here

Royal Chateau d’Amboise

Our Christmas in the Loire Valley ended at the fairytale-like Chateau d’Amboise, a childhood home of King Francois I. Today during the holidays you’re more likely to find it occupied by the Christmas spirit and a snowy white decor. 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 atmosphere.

This was 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

Spending time exploring the chateau 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 fo artisanal Christmas figurines. Who knew?

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. I hope you can, too.

 

My trip was organized by Atout France.

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

 

 

 

Category: France

About Carol Perehudoff

A former freelance travel columnist for the Toronto Star, Carol has won more than 30 writing awards and honours. A spa and luxury travel expert, she’s written for top travel publications around the globe.

Previous Post:outside-notre-dame-des-bons-avignon-cathedralVisiting Avignon Cathedral – Notre-Dame des Doms
Next Post:Romantic Paris at ChristmasRomantic Paris at Christmas

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Karla

    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

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

  3. Carol Perehudoff

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

  4. mappingmegan

    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)

    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

    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

    Disney times twenty, Tom!

  8. shobha42016

    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

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

  10. Carol Perehudoff

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

  11. Carol Perehudoff

    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

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

  13. Luxe Adventure Trvlr (@jdomb)

    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)

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

  15. anna

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

  16. Amelie Gagne

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

  17. Carol Perehudoff

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

  18. Love and Road (@LoveandRoad)

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

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