Christmas magic in the land of châteaux

Christmas in the land of châteaux is built as an itinerary linking seven of the most famous Loire Valley castles around the great themes emblematic of Christmas. Each castle takes on a different theme, but all have the same objective: to put stars in the eyes of children and adults alike!

Good Tips for Christmas

If you wish to discover several of these Loire Valley monuments on the occasion of Christmas, note that passes are sold in the Tourist Offices of Touraine, valid during the operation. In addition to a special rate in the castles, they also give you discounts with several partners. From now, passes for 3, 5 or 7 castles are available with the Tours Loire Valley Tourist Office.

Also note that the Tours Val de Loire Tourist Office will developed special “Christmas in the land of chateaux” stays for individuals and groups.

Smart Christmas trees, candy, giant nativity scene…

Imagine a giant Christmas tree covered in more than 2,300 decorative elements, sugar sculptures with multicolored candies, dozens of candles and braziers playing a game of light and shadow, a huge Neapolitan Nativity scene filled with scenes and characters, Christmas trees with resolutely contemporary shapes…

From the beginning of December to the beginning of January, each château develops its own universe. After one, two or three visits… a spirit of collection quickly takes hold, one discovery irresistibly calling for another! These tours are accessible every day, including outside school vacation periods in France.

“Christmas in the land of Châteaux”, it is also an exceptional opening of the castles for an evening to discover their Christmas route until 8pm, at night (last admissions at 7pm in some castles).

• Château of Azay-le-Rideau: Saturday, December 7;
• Château of Villandry: Saturday, December 14;
• Royal Château of Amboise: Saturday, December 21;
• Château of Chenonceau: Thursday, December 26;
• Château of Langeais: Friday, December 27;
• Royal fortress of Chinon: Saturday, December 28;
• Royal City of Loches: Sunday, December 29.

Royal Château of Amboise => “Christmas, childhood dreams – The Kingdom of Toys.” Visitors can see the poetic little worlds in the decorated rooms of the Royal Lodge, providing an echo to the festive Christmas atmosphere and immersing them in the “Gulliverian” joys of childhood dreams. The journey then continues to other tiny lands with traditional dolls’ houses and dioramas of toy figures made by Mignot. This year in Amboise, “Christmas in the Land of the Châteaux” is taking on a new dimension!

Christmas in the land of chateaux – Azay-le-Rideau

Château of Azay-le-Rideau => “Christmas delights”. A fantasy atmosphere embraces the château for a real taste of Christmas, a pinch of magic bringing to life the gourmet dreams of adults and children alike. From room to room, delightful decoration specially created for the occasion highlights the tasty treats and dishes. Christmas is a time to celebrate, a time when children’s dreams come to life as they marvel at the sight of richly filled dining tables decorated with original and refined floral compositions straight out of a fairy tale or an enchanted forest filled with good things to eat… And since Christmas at the château would not be complete without a feast, the main room will be dressed in all its finery, and a luxurious dining table will be laid. And now, let the magic begin!

Château of Chenonceau (prior booking required for the visit) => “Christmas in Chenonceau: Porcelain Christmas”. Chenonceau owes everything to Italy, from Venice to Florence. Here the art of entertaining will be celebrated at CHRISTMAS 2024, giving our visitors a perfect welcome for the day. An identity and a staging with flowers, all created by the Château’s Floral Workshop, and expertly stage-managed with all the luxury and pomp of a Palace, timeless bouquets, single and double flower compositions, symmetry and a symphony of orchids… If a Palace helps to share French culture with the outside world, then the Christmas holidays will be an encounter with history and the art of flowers in an exceptional residence!

Christmas in the land of chateaux – Chinon

Royal Fortress of Chinon => “Myths and legends of Christmas: A Christmas for Queens”. To mark the 900th anniversary of the birth of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Royal Fortress of Chinon invites you to a festive medieval Christmas revisited by artists and craftsmen who celebrate the queens of the Middle Ages. Floral creations, tableware and photographs are all on show. For the occasion, the Royal Fortress of Chinon is once again decked out in its finest finery to evoke the atmosphere of a royal Christmas!

Château of Langeais => “Christmas of lights”. Light, the symbol of a new birth, is at the heart of the Christmas season. In the Middle Ages, the bright light from candles enhanced great noble residences during receptions and banquets. For the end of the year, the Château de Langeais will be immersing visitors in the magic of Christmas by renewing this tradition of light. They will be greeted on arrival by majestic sculptures, including a reindeer and its sled. They can then admire the rooms glittering with candles, lanterns and tinsel. The staging highlights the Christmas atmosphere: the banquet table is illuminated by a thousand lights; the children’s room is decorated with an enchanted forest featuring a rich array of lanterns and poulaine shoes left behind by the elves; the knights’ room and its majestic vault are enhanced by an original projection inspired by the château, while the angels’ procession with its golden halo rounds off the visit…

Christmas in the land of chateaux – Royal city of Loches – Winter holidays in France

Royal city of Loches => “The Tales of the Royal City – Hansel & Gretel”.Every year, the Royal City of Loches presents an interpretation of a folk tale. This winter, the settings and world of one of the Grimm brothers’ most famous fairy tales, Hensel and Gretel, will take centre stage in the royal dwelling: the forest, the candy hut, the witch’s treasure, etc. An immersion in the story of the fairy tale in which visitors themselves become actors.

Chateau of Villandry =>“At Christmas, the château opens its doors to nature”. After nature’s triumphs from spring to autumn, it is reborn at the heart of winter. And this time nature has been invited inside the château. In the family residence with a warm and friendly atmosphere, a festive mood can be found in each room. While we are preparing the Christmas celebrations, the forest and its inhabitants joyfully take up their residence in the living room, the dining room, bedrooms and kitchen, in richly decorated Christmas trees and real plant decorations. From the château windows, you can look out on the gardens, dressed in their winter clothing: mosaics of ornamental cabbages and leeks, the lacework of box hedges, the silhouettes of sculpted yew trees and long avenues of sleepy elm trees. The promise of wonderful winter walks. This winter, nature has taken over Villandry a little bit more to bring us an enchanting Christmas…

Even more Christmas festivities

Beyond these 7 Loire Valley castles, many other events are held in Touraine during the Christmas holidays, such as the Christmas market in Tours, the Christmas circus in Luynes, the glittering Christmas at the Grand Aquarium of Touraine, but also in other monuments. It is the case of:

• the castle of Montpoupon, on December 7 and 8, 14 and 15, 21 and 22,
• the castle of l’Islette,
• Château Gaillard, and its magical christmas and its orange trees,
• the Clos Lucé castle and its Christmas enchantments,
• and the fortress of Montbazon and its Santa Claus village.

And while you’re in Loire Valley, why not do a bit of shopping?

Whites, rosés or reds, the wines of Bourgueil, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Chinon, Montlouis-sur-Loire or Vouvray will go superbly well with your festive menus: remember to bring back a few bottles. The wild fish terrines of the Loire will be a hit on toasted bread, as will the local foie gras. You can also root out a few black truffles, a festive ingredient for sure, or delicious saffron.

In the basket weaving village of Villaines-les-Rochers, local craftsmen create original wickerwork tree decorations which will hang effortlessly alongside the handcrafted glass baubles from the Maison Verart, in Amboise.

And don’t forget the Christmas chocolate, either from “Maison Bigot” or from “Cadeau et chocolat”.