Christmas in the land of castles – 7 castles in Christmas colours

From Saturday 29 November 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026

Seven of the Loire Valley’s greatest châteaux are celebrating the spirit of the festive season with exceptional tours and events: it’s “Christmas in the land of châteaux”, in Touraine. You’ll be amazed at each of these seven monuments, which feature themes emblematic of the Christmas season: toys, lights, delicacies, porcelain, tales, legends and winter nature. All have the same objective: to put stars in the eyes of children and adults alike!

Noël en Touraine, au pays des châteaux !

©Noël au pays des châteaux. Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, en Touraine.|ADT Touraine / Jean-Christophe Coutand

©Noel Chateau Noël au pays des châteaux. Château de Chenonceau, en Touraine.|ADT Touraine / Jean-Christophe Coutand

Noël au pays des châteaux. Château de Langeais. — ©Noël au pays des châteaux. Château de Langeais, en Touraine.|ADT Touraine / Jean-Christophe Coutand

Christmas tips PASS 3, 5 or 7 châteaux!

Christmas in the Land of Castles is a great success during the school holidays. If possible, come and admire christmas decorations from the first two weeks of December!

Discover several monuments thanks to Christmas in the Land of Castles passes, sold online and in the local Tourist Offices.

Turnkeypackages are also available from the Tours Val de Loire Tourist Office:
– 2 days / 1 night, with a visit to 3 châteaux,
– 3 days / 2 nights, and a visit to 5 châteaux,
– 3 days / 2 nights, visiting 7 châteaux.

In terms of transport, REMI (local transportation network) offers two passes for unlimited travel, with reduced fares at certain sites on presentation of your ticket, as well as a special offer for 15-25 year-olds:
– Pass Rémi Découverte (Centre Val de Loire Region): €45 for 2 days or €60 for 3 days, for groups of up to 5 people;
– Pass Rémi Découverte Plus (Centre Val de Loire and Ile de France regions): €95 for 2 days or €120 for 3 days, for groups of up to 5 people;
– Rémi Yep’s card for 15-25 year-olds (Centre Val de Loire region), which entitles holders to a free ticket on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Christmas in the land of châteaux passes

During the event, you can take advantage of special rates to visit the châteaux (3-château pass: €41 / 5-château pass: €61 / 7-château pass: €77), and discounts from a number of partners (grocery shops, activities, etc.).

Book my Christmas pass

Christmas celebrated in Tours city centre

The Christmas market is a great place to buy presents for the festive season, while the winter village is a great place to enjoy the festive atmosphere.

XXL Christmas trees, Christmas delights, richly garnished tables...

Imagine a giant Christmas tree covered in thousands of decorations, sugar sculptures adorned with multicoloured sweets, dozens of candles playing a game of light and shadow, a huge Provençal cot filled with scenes and characters, refined tables worthy of a fairy tale, an enchanted forest… From late November to early January, immerse yourself in the marvellous universe developed by these Loire Valley châteaux.

After one, two or three visits, you’ll quickly feel like a collector, as one discovery irresistibly leads to another!

These Christmas in the Land of châteaux displays are open every day, even outside school holiday periods. For even more magic, come and admire them at nightfall (dates to be confirmed):
– Château de Villandry: Saturday 6 December ;
– Château d’Azay-le-Rideau: Saturday 13 December;
– Château royal d’Amboise: Saturday 20 December;
– Château de Langeais: Monday 22 December ;
– Château de Chenonceau: Tuesday 23 December ;
– Royal fortress of Chinon: Sunday 28 December ;
– Royal City of Loches: Monday 29 December.

The Loire Valley châteaux

Royal Château of Amboise Christmas, childhood dreams: O beautiful trees!

Like every year, the magic of Christmas has brought new life to the souls of the fir tree people. This December, some of them have left their forests to come to the Royal Château of Amboise, decked out in their finest festive garb. In the rooms of the royal dwelling, their imposing silhouettes reveal their unique personalities, creating magnificent tableaux for visitors. The Tree of Dreams, the Tree of the Fearless Knight, the Woodland Prince of the Dark Night and the Tree that Wanted to be King… These are just some of the fantastic trees inviting you to celebrate Christmas.

The Royal Château of Amboise

Châteaux of Azay-le-Rideau Tasty treats in the kingdom of fairy tales

The Château of Azay-le-Rideau is decked out in magic and wonder for an enchanted interlude of gourmet delights and imagination. Throughout the rooms, visitors are invited to discover sumptuously laid tables inspired by the most beautiful fairytales of our childhood. In the dining room, a crystal-clear table evokes the fairytale world of The Snow Queen: shards of glass, frosted transparency and soft light create an enchanting, icy atmosphere that’s awe-inspiring. Further on, the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland is brought to life in an incredible giant chess set, made entirely from vintage kitchen utensils. A playful and poetic nod to tea-time with the Mad Hatter, inviting young and old alike to plunge into a world of imagination. To sublimate these gourmet settings, the château has teamed up with the prestigious Manufacture de Gien, an emblematic company of the region, whose delicate creations elegantly adorn these festive tables, adding a touch of authenticity and refinement to this magical setting.

Châteaux of Azay-le-Rideau

©Christmas in the land of castles -Château de Chenonceau|ADT Touraine - JC COUTAND

Châteaux of Chenonceau Far North

It’s winter, the cold, the snow… has invaded the whole monument! Sometimes raw winter nature, sometimes white becomes elegant transparencies. The iconic grand gallery is transformed into a forest of snowy birches. Tall white fir trees take pride of place here and there. In the kitchens, always dedicated to children, frosty delicacies take over the dining room and the pantry becomes an ice floe populated by penguins! As for the silent Chambre de Louise de Lorraine, it will always be full of surprises…

Châteaux of Chenonceau

Royal fortress of Chinon Christmas treasures

For the festive season, the Royal Fortress of Chinon will be become a real Christmas treasure. Gold, the symbol of light, magic and wonder, inspires a magical journey imagined by floral designer Géraldine Leclerc.

Nightfall visit on Sunday 28 December: fire show by the Steampunk Goblins, performed by the Taprobane company (three 30-minute strolls).

The royal fortress of Chinon

©Christmas in the land of castles -Château de Langeais|ADT Touraine - JC COUTAND

Château of Langeais A showcase of light

At Christmas, the Château of Langeais becomes a jewel case of lights, with enchantment in every corner. In keeping with the magic that has enchanted visitors for so many years, the light trail has been reinvented with a host of new surprises. Candles, lanterns, garlands and lighting effects enhance the medieval architecture and rich collections of this historic residence. In the drawing rooms, bedrooms and grand banqueting hall, the light reveals the materials, makes the decor sparkle, and subtly interacts with the tapestries, woodworks and works of art. Shadows and reflections bring the spaces to life, giving the visit a sensitive and poetic dimension. The château’s grounds, also illuminated, invite you to take a spellbinding stroll at dusk. The atmosphere becomes mysterious and magical, extending the enchantment beyond the walls that hosted the wedding of Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany.

Château of Langeais

Royal City of Loches Tales from the royal city

Every winter, the Royal City of Loches revisits a folk tale, to the delight of young and old alike. This year, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the wonderful world of Alice in Wonderland, the tale created by Lewis Carroll, and set off to meet the White Rabbit, the caterpillar and the Evil Queen of Hearts!

Story readings and events at weekends and during the holidays

The royal city of Loches

Château of Villandry At Christmas, nature invites itself to the château.

The Château of Villandry invites young and old alike to spend Christmas in a family home with a warm and friendly atmosphere. While a festive atmosphere pervades every room, nature invites itself into the château. From the dining room to the bedrooms, via the living room and the kitchen where you prepare to celebrate Christmas, nature penetrates the castle walls, like an extension of the gardens that give Villandry such a special aura. Reindeer, fawns, owls and squirrels have taken up residence in the château, transformed for the occasion into a veritable enchanted forest, and are waiting to welcome you to Christmas. It even seems that deep in this forest lives an old man in a red suit…

From the windows of the château, you can gaze out over the gardens, which have also been decked out in their winter finery: mosaics of ornamental cabbages and leeks, lacy boxwoods and silhouettes of yews in topiary, and long avenues of dormant lime trees, promising pleasant winter strolls.

The château and gardens will be closed to visitors on Wednesday 25 December 2025. The gardens will not be decorated or illuminated, and the decorations will only take place inside the château.

Château of Villandry

in addition to Christmas in castle country

In addition to these 7 châteaux, there are many other events to celebrate Christmas in Touraine, starting with Santa’s village at the fortress of Montbazon.

Château du Clos Lucé - Parc Leonardo da Vinci

Domaine Royal de Château Gaillard

Château de Montpoupon

Aquarium de Touraine

And what about the presents?

White, rosé or red, the wines of Bourgueil, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Chinon, Montlouis-sur-Loire or Vouvray go magnificently well with festive menus: don’t forget to bring back a few bottles from the Loire Valley at the end-of-year open days of several tourist cellars.

For an aperitif, opt for Loire fish terrines on toasted bread, sold in a number of delicatessens. For dessert, try the Tourangelle log, skilfully crafted by a number of bakeries. A light almond and hazelnut biscuit, topped with vanilla cream, Tatin-style apples and salted butter caramel… yum!

Fancy some chocolate? Don’t miss the chocolates from Maison Bigot in Amboise. As for black Touraine truffles, you’ll find them at Les Halles in Tours, and also at the truffle market in Marigny-Marmande.

In the village of Villaines-les-Rochers, wickerworkers make original wicker decorations for your Christmas tree. Another good place to visit is Les Courants d’Art, a group of craftsmen and antique dealers in Beaulieu-Lès-Loches.