Blois Walking tour 1h45 and 22 audio reviews

Crossed in its heart by the Loire, free and royal river, Blois is a city that easily knows how to go green, offering spaces arranged around this rich natural ecosystem.

Welcome to Place Louis XII, one of the busiest squares in Blois! Here you are in the heart of the historic centre, in a largely pedestrianised area where French heritage and lifestyle are harmoniously blended. This square, created between 1819 and 1823, is the link between the royal castle that overlooks you and the old districts of the lower town.

On your left, you can see the Denis Papin staircase, one of the symbols of the city. Do not hesitate to approach it if you want to see it in more detail. Impressive from below, dizzying when you are at its top, the Denis Papin Staircase is an unmissable Attraction in Blois.

Here you are in front of one of Blois’ symbols: the Jacques Gabriel Bridge. For nearly three centuries, it has linked the historic city centre to the Vienna district, spanning the Loire River majestically.

Anchored in the historic heart of the city, the Well-Châtel district has gone through the centuries and it is when you go there that you become fully aware of it. Today, it corresponds to what is known as the eastern part of the city, and is a vivid testimony to medieval times, preserved through urban planning operations in the 19th century.

As so often, it is recommended to get lost in the streets of a city to fall face to face with its beautiful discoveries. A suggestion that can be perfectly applied to Blois, in view of this new stop all in Gothic style.

On Place Saint-Louis, if there is one house that has stood out from the rest, it is the one on your left. You are in front of one of Blois’ most beautiful homes: the House of Acrobates.

You are in front of the cathedral overlooking the city and the Loire. Originally the church of Saint-Solenne was here, but on the night of 6-7 June 1678 a hurricane destroyed it almost entirely.

As we know, with these French flags, and the motto of the Republic inscribed on the facade, more way to hide in front of which Attraction you are at this very moment. Located just behind St. Louis Cathedral, this is the Blois City Inn. But this has not always been the case.

From the garden of the bishopric, the gaze plunges directly towards the Loire. Large, majestic, this royal river has shaped Blois’ history and identity. At your feet lie the tight slate roofs of the old town, witnessing the time when the city was organized around its castle and river port.

A very welcoming and popular place for the Blesois and Blesoises, the Bishops' Gardens gather a small collection of plant species, for a pleasant quiet break on the heights of the city and the Loire.

Built by the first Dukes of Orléans and the Counts of Blois, in the 15th century, the grain hall was once divided into two separate spaces, with on the ground floor, the hall, strictly speaking, and upstairs, the courthouse.

Considered one of the oldest monuments in Blois, or even in France, the Tower of Beauvoir has proudly resisted all the attacks of time, to stand before you today. It was built between the eleventh and twelfth centuries by the Lords of Beauvoir, vassals of the Counts of Blois, whose stronghold extended from your site, to the Loire.

Capital of the kingdom under Louis XII, from the 15th to the 16th century, Blois saw the growth of private mansions everywhere intended to house the Court. This is the case of the Inn d’Alluye, deployed in front of you.

Far from being as large and adulated as its neighbour, the Château de Blois, the church of Saint Vincent de Paul is worth a visit. Its first origins date back to 1634, with the desire to build a chapel for the Jesuit college founded a few decades earlier.

Without a doubt the city’s monument par excellence, the Royal Castle of Blois is the perfect example of the art and history of the jewels of the Loire Valley. A favourite royal and seigneurial residence of France during the Renaissance, a total of 7 kings and 10 queens inhabited the premises, with as many dramas, shenanigans and power games as possible and unimaginable.

Facing the royal castle of Blois, you can not miss this great building of the 19th century. And if you already find it impressive at first glance, wait until you see what’s hidden there... Welcome to the Maison de la Magie Robert-Houdin, a unique place in Europe, entirely dedicated to the art of illusion.

Welcome to Rue Saint-Lubin, a real jewel of the historic centre of Blois and authentic time travel between the 15th and 16th centuries! This street is named after Saint Lubin, bishop of Chartres in the 6th century, perpetuating the memory of the old church Saint-Lubin which was the main place of worship of the Blesois until it was destroyed by fire in 1114.

The church of Saint-Nicolas is the oldest religious building in Blois and one of the jewels of the Loire Valley! Look up to this majestic silhouette that has dominated the banks of the Loire for nearly nine centuries. You admire here an exceptional testimony of the transition between Romanesque and Gothic art, built between 1138 and the beginning of the 13th century.

The imposing silhouette of the banks of the Loire, the Inn-Dieu de Blois is a monumental ensemble of prime importance. Although a monastic of the Benedictine Order, since the Middle Ages, the building was to be profoundly transformed in the 19th century to become a large hospital.

As you walk down Porte Côté Street, let us tell you a bit about the different treats you can find in Blois.The city has preserved and invented culinary specialties that tell as much its history as its terroir.

In Blois, comics found their home. Housed in a former 19th century post office, the Maison de la BD is a unique place entirely dedicated to the ninth art, with temporary exhibitions, a large specialized library and even workshops to learn how to create your own plates.