Is Blois worth visiting?

Is Blois worth visiting?

Is Blois worth visiting? Blois is a picturesque medieval city with cobblestone alleys and half-timbered houses. It is worth visiting not only for the Royal Château but also for its pretty Old Town. The city is also a great base to explore the chateaux of the Loire Valley.

What is Blois France known for?

Château Royal de Blois One of the top tourist attractions in the Loire Valley, the majestic Château Royal de Blois has an illustrious history. Renowned inhabitants have included the Dukes of Orléans, seven kings of France, the prince/poet Charles d’Orléans, and several Counts of Blois who led the Crusades.

What does Blois mean in French?

Blois. / (French blwa) / noun. a town in N central France, on the Loire: 13th-century castle.

What is Amboise famous for?

The city is famous for the Clos Lucé manor house where Leonardo da Vinci lived (and ultimately died) at the invitation of King Francis I of France, whose Château d’Amboise, which dominates the town, is located just 500 m (1,640 feet) away.

Who lived in Blois?

Catherine de’ Medici, the wife of King Henry II, lived and died there. The Château of Blois was also inhabited by the two queens of Henry IV, Margaret of Valois and Maria de’ Medici. The latter escaped from the estate in 1619.

What is Chateau de Blois known for?

The Château’s most renowned feature, the spiral staircase in the Francis I wing.

Is Amboise worth visiting?

Visit Amboise. Although best known for the Chateau d’Amboise, the town of Amboise is also worth exploring. It is a beautiful small town running along the edge of the river and dominated by the beautiful chateau standing above the town. From the castle you get some excellent views over the town and river.

Who lived in the Amboise chateau?

The Amboise Conspiracy Throughout France’s troublesome 16th Century, the castle was the home of King Henry II and his wife, Catherine de’ Medici (along with her once prospective daughter-in-law Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots).

Who owns Chateau de Blois?

The medieval castle was given in 1397 to Louis I, Duke of Orléans, brother of Charles VI. After Louis’ assassination, his widow, Valentina Visconti, retired to the Blois Castle. It was later inherited by their son, Charles d’Orléans the poet, who was captured at Agincourt and imprisoned in England.

What does the name Blois mean?

French and English (of Norman origin): habitational name from Blois in Loire-et-Cher and in some cases possibly also from a place of the same name in Jura. Compare Deblois . French: nickname from the Old French adjective blois ‘lisping’.

Why is Orleans famous?

Orleans is perhaps best known as one of the cities visited by Joan of Arc. Orleans is the capital of the ‘Centre’ region and is at the eastern end of the Loire Valley. Orleans city itself lost many buildings during the destructive World War II, but is now an attractive tourist and university centre.

What language is spoken in Orleans France?

French
Language: The language spoken in Orléans is French, although some English is generally spoken in restaurants, hotels, and tourist attractions.

Who lived in the Blois château?

Should I stay in Amboise or Tours?

If you want to see the region’s most famous castles, Amboise or Cheverny will be the best places to stay in the Loire Valley. However, if you prefer a more urban setting, many Loire Valley tours depart from the lovely town of Tours.