Major city · France
Blois
Spend one full day in Blois: the royal château in the morning, then walk the old town and the Loire riverbank. It works as a base for Chambord and Cheverny.
Blois is a compact Loire Valley town with a royal château that spans four architectural periods, a medieval quarter and a cathedral. Most visitors arrive by train from Tours or Orléans, see the château and the Maison de la Magie, then use Blois as a launch point for the châteaux of Chambord and Cheverny. One night is enough; two if you cycle the Loire à Vélo route.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot), Dec–Feb (short days, some châteaux close early)
- Airports
- CDG · ORY · TUF
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Blois17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Blois, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyBlois is a safe small city.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire and ambulance · 112 European emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCDG Paris Charles de Gaulle (TGV to Tours or Orléans, then regional train to Blois; about 2.5 h total).
- Getting aroundThe old town and château are walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café€1.50–3.00 (≈ US$2–4)
- Street or quick mealBaguette sandwich€5–8 (≈ US$6–10)
- BeerBeer (pint / bottle)€5–7 (≈ US$6–9)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from station to old town€8–12 (≈ US$10–14)
- Museum or sight ticketChâteau entry (Blois)check€12–15 (≈ US$14–18)
- Budget bedCampsite pitch (tent + 2 people), a night, per room€20 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a budget hotel, a night, per room€90 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedDouble room in a budget hotel, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle (TGV to Tours or Orléans, then regional train to Blois; about 2.5 h total) · ORY Paris Orly (RER B to Paris-Austerlitz, then train; about 2.5 h) · TUF Tours Val de Loire (Small airport with seasonal flights; train from Tours to Blois, about 40 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Care
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Care
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Blois: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old town and château are walkable. Azalys buses cover the wider area; a one-hour ticket costs €1.25 (cash, 2022 price — check). Bikes can be rented at the station or the campsite for the Loire à Vélo route.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chambord
goDoor to door: About 30 min by bus, 1 h by bike
Bus (Azalys line 2) or bike (about 18 km (11 mi) on the Loire à Vélo path)Bus (Azalys line 2) or bike (about 11 mi (18 km) on the Loire à Vélo path)
The largest Loire château; plan at least 2.5 h on site. Bus timetable varies by season — check.
Cheverny
goDoor to door: About 25 min by bus, 50 min by bike
Bus (Azalys line 4) or bike (about 15 km (9.3 mi))Bus (Azalys line 4) or bike (about 9.3 mi (15 km))
Smaller, furnished château with a kennel and a Tintin exhibition.
Door to door: About 30 min
Train (TER) from Blois-Chambord station, about 20 min
Royal château and Leonardo da Vinci's Clos Lucé; half-day trip.
Door to door: About 45 min
Train (TER), about 35 min
Larger city with a cathedral, old town and museums; good for a day trip.
Orléans
goDoor to door: About 50 min
Train (TER), about 40 min
Joan of Arc history, cathedral and river walks.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Old town (Vieux Blois)
Within walking distance of the château, restaurants and the river; narrow streets, limited parking.
Near the train station (Gare de Blois-Chambord)
Practical for one night; budget hotels and easy access to buses and taxis.
Val de Blois campsite
Outside the centre in Vineuil; best with a car or bike. Bicycle hire on site.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–150 (≈ US$95–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a budget hotel1 × 1 night × €90 | €90 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €110 | €220 |
| Train from Paris Austerlitz to Blois, one way2 × €40 · check | €80 |
| Bus to Chambord, return2 × €6 · check | €12 |
| Bicycle rental for a day2 × €15 · check | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €43 |
| Trip total≈ €238 per person per day, bed included | €475≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | €1.50–3.00 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Baguette sandwich | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Menu du jour (lunch set) | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Beer (pint / bottle) | €5–7 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Château entry (Blois)check | €12–15 (≈ US$14–18) |
| Maison de la Magie entrycheck | €10–12 (≈ US$12–14) |
| Taxi from station to old town | €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The château closes earlier in winter (check the official site for hours).
- Restaurants in the old town may close on Sunday and Monday; book ahead in summer.
- The Loire riverbank can flood after heavy rain; check local warnings.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 18
- European emergency
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BloisBlois
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s’il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance18
- European emergency112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Blois → Tours: about €8–12 (≈ US$10–14), 35 min (check)
- Bus Blois → Chambord: about €3 (≈ US$4) one way, 30 min (check)
- Taxi station → old town: €8–12 (≈ US$10–14)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- S’il vous plaît — Please (seel voo pleh)
- Combien ? — How much? (kom-byen)
- Où est la gare ? — Where is the station? (oo eh la gahr)
- L’addition, s’il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-syon seel voo pleh)
Most restaurants and shops accept cards; keep some cash for markets and bus tickets.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Blois. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot), Dec–Feb (short days, some châteaux close early) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Château Royal de Blois, Maison de la Magie, cathedral and Saint-Saturnin church with verified opening hours and ticket prices.
- Eat pages for three restaurants in the old town with last-order times.
- Sleep pages for Hotel du Bellay, TourHotel and Val de Blois campsite with seasonal rates.
- Cycling route page for the Blois–Chambord section of Loire à Vélo.
Sources
- officialBlois official website
- officialChâteau Royal de Blois
- officialAzalys bus network
- secondaryWikivoyage: Blois, revision 5256344 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Blois
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