Blois Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Blois

Blois is a commune and the capital city of the Loir-et-Cher department in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. Situated along the banks of the lower Loire River between Orléans and Tours, it serves as the department's most populous city. As an officially recognized French Town of Art and History, Blois rests along a major historical river route that connects both banks via notable structures such as the 18th-century stone Jacques-Gabriel Bridge.

Inhabited since prehistoric times, the settlement developed into an urban center during the Gallo-Roman period when it sat on a road connecting Chartres to Bourges. By the 9th century, Blois became the seat of an influential countship. Joan of Arc utilized the town as a base of operations for the relief of Orléans in 1429. The county was integrated into the French royal domain in 1498 when Count Louis II of Orléans ascended to the throne as King Louis XII, establishing his royal court in the city and transforming Blois into an official royal residence during the Renaissance.

During the Renaissance, Blois experienced substantial urban redevelopment, including the construction of numerous private mansions such as the Italian-inspired Hôtel d'Alluye. The city hosted the signing of the Treaty of Blois in 1504–1505 and saw frequent use as a leisure resort for the royal court. The late 16th century brought destructive conflicts during the French Wars of Religion, along with meetings of the Estates General summoned by King Henry III. Following the eventual departure of the royal court to Paris, the city gained an independent bishopric under King Louis XIV, accompanied by the creation of the cathedral church of St. Solenne and surrounding terraced Bishopric Gardens.

The 19th and 20th centuries brought modernization, including the arrival of the Paris–Tours railway line in 1846, industrialization driven by chocolate production, and widespread urban redesigns featuring grand staircases and new boulevards. Blois also endured major floods, control by Prussian troops in 1871, and heavy structural destruction during World War II bombings before undergoing mid-20th-century reconstruction.

Visitors to Blois can explore its rich architectural heritage. The multi-style Renaissance Château of Blois stands at the city center, surrounded by historic green spaces such as the St. Sauveur Garden, the Lily Garden, and Victor Hugo Square. Opposite the château lies the Robert-Houdin House of Magic, a museum devoted to illusionism and performing arts. Below the château near the Loire River sits Louis-XII Place, a central hub featuring local shops, sycamore trees, and the 16th-century Louis XII Fountain alongside other historic water features throughout the town.