Major city · France
Château-du-Loir
Skip as a destination; use it as one night or a lunch stop between Le Mans and Tours, or as a cheap base for the Loir valley.
Château-du-Loir is a small market town on the river Le Loir, not the big Loire. It has a station on the Tours–Le Mans–Caen line, a weekly market and normal town services, but almost no sightseeing of its own. Its value is position: Le Mans 40 km, Tours 40 km, Le Lude 20 km, Lavardin 30 km, Amboise 50 km. Most travellers pass on the A28 (junction 26 is 3 km out) or sleep one night and drive the valley.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Le Mans 24-hour race week in June (beds fill and prices jump); mid-August for the Agricultural Comice crowds
- Airports
- TUF · CDG · NTE
- Nights
- 1
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.
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Château-du-Loir112 ▾
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 Château-du-Loir, 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
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime market town; the real risks are driving the D-roads at night, deer and tractors on rural lanes…
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 numbers112 European emergency number · 15 ambulance (samu) · 17 police (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.
- AirportcheckTUF Tours Val de Loire (About 60 km (37 mi); few routes, check the timetable).TUF Tours Val de Loire (About 37 mi (60 km); few routes, check the timetable).
- Getting aroundThe centre is small enough to walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or a drink at a bar€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
- Budget bedFamily gîte (up to 4), a night, per room€90 (≈ US$110)
- Mid-range bedHotel or B&B double room, a night, per room€95 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedHotel or B&B double room, a night, per room€160 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €95 (≈ US$120) · High €170 (≈ US$200)
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
- TUF Tours Val de Loire (About 60 km (37 mi); few routes, check the timetable) · CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle (TGV to Le Mans or Tours, then a local train; 3–4 h door to door) · NTE Nantes Atlantique (About 180 km (112 mi) by road; usually the slower option)TUF Tours Val de Loire (About 37 mi (60 km); few routes, check the timetable) · CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle (TGV to Le Mans or Tours, then a local train; 3–4 h door to door) · NTE Nantes Atlantique (About 112 mi (180 km) by road; usually the slower option)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Care
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Avoid
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
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: May, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jun. Avoid: Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Château-du-Loir: 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
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°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)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°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 centre is small enough to walk. Bicycles can be hired from a shop on avenue Jean-Jaurès (Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00–13:30 and 14:00–18:00). For Le Lude, Lavardin, Le Mans or Tours you need a car, a train or a bus; the A28 junction is 3 km from town.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Le Lude
goDoor to door: About 30 min
D305 by car, about 20 km (12 mi)D305 by car, about 12 mi (20 km)
Château with gardens on the Loir; check opening days outside summer.
Le Mans
goDoor to door: About 40 min by train
Train from Château-du-Loir station, or the A28 by car
Old town and cathedral; the race circuit is the June draw.
Lavardin
goDoor to door: About 40 min
By car, about 30 km (19 mi)By car, about 19 mi (30 km)
Small village with a ruined castle above the valley; a half day.
Tours
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Train from Château-du-Loir station
Bigger city base with the TGV and the Loire châteaux.
Amboise
goDoor to door: About 1 h
By car, about 50 km (31 mi)By car, about 31 mi (50 km)
Château and Clos Lucé; a full day.
La Chartre-sur-le-Loir
goDoor to door: About 25 min
By car up the D305, about 20 km (12 mi)By car up the D305, about 12 mi (20 km)
Start of the canoe descent downstream to Marçon.
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.
Town centre, around Place de l'Hôtel de Ville
Walk to the market, bars and most restaurants; the square is the market site on Saturday, so parking is tight.
Station area, avenue Jean-Jaurès
Best if you arrive by train or leave early; a short walk from the centre.
Villages around the town
Gîtes and camping in Luceau, Marçon and Montval-sur-Loir; you need a car.
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
- €80–130 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- €130 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel or B&B double room1 × 1 night × €95 | €95 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €95 | €190 |
| Canoe descent, adult2 × €18 | €36 |
| Windsurf hire, one hour2 × €15 | €30 |
| Cinema ticket2 × €7 | €14 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €39 |
| Trip total≈ €212 per person per day, bed included | €424≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in euros; travel to the region excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or a drink at a bar | €1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Lunch menu in a brasserieMany kitchens close between 14:30 and 18:00.Many kitchens close between 2:30 PM and 6:00 PM. | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Pizza | €5.50–14 (≈ US$7–17) |
| Supermarket picnic for two | €10–15 (≈ US$12–18) |
| Train Château-du-Loir → Le Mans or Tours | €8–15 (≈ US$10–18) |
| Fuel, 1 litre | €1.70–1.90 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Many restaurants and bars close on Monday: plan dinner around that.
- The Saturday market takes over the main square, so parking there is hard that morning.
- Beds in town and nearby fill during Le Mans 24-hour race week: book months ahead.
- English is patchy outside hotels; a few French phrases help.
- The Loir is a small river with a weir and shallow stretches: check conditions before hiring a canoe.
Emergency numbers
- European emergency number
- 112
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 15
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
- Deaf callers, by text
- 114
Pocket card
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Château-du-LoirChâteau-du-Loir
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- European emergency number112
- Ambulance (SAMU)15
- Police17
- Fire18
Embassy
No embassies here; the US, UK, Canadian, Australian, Irish and New Zealand embassies are in Paris, with consulates in Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille and Strasbourg (check before you travel).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Château-du-Loir → Le Mans: about €8–12 (≈ US$10–14), about 40 min
- Train Château-du-Loir → Tours: about €10–15 (≈ US$12–18), about 40 min
- Canoe descent, La Chartre-sur-le-Loir → Marçon: €18 (≈ US$25) adult, €12 (≈ US$14) child, about 2 h 30 min
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello / Good day (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- S'il vous plaît — Please (seel voo PLEH)
- C'est combien ? — How much is it? (say kom-BYEN)
- Je peux payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (zhuh puh pay-YAY par KART)
- Où est la gare ? — Where is the station? (oo ay la GAR)
The station ticket office opens Monday–Friday 06:15–11:45 and 12:10–19:30, Saturday 08:15–12:30 and 14:30–17:30, Sunday 14:45–21:00; buy online or at a machine if you travel outside those hours.
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 Château-du-Loir. 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: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Le Mans 24-hour race week in June (beds fill and prices jump); mid-August for the Agricultural Comice crowds · 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
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for Tours Val de Loire and the Paris TGV route: last trains, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster around Place de l'Hôtel de Ville with rescue anchors: station, market square, riverside.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (roundhouse, château at Le Lude, Lavardin) and eat pages with last orders and Monday closures.
- Le Mans race-week fixture so beds and prices can go red.