Christmas in the Land of Castles – 7 castles decked out for Christmas

From Saturday 28 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027

Seven of the Loire Valley’s greatest châteaux are celebrating the festive spirit with exceptional guided tours and events: it’s “Christmas in the land of Châteaux” in Touraine. Marvel at each of these seven monuments, which explore themes emblematic of the Christmas season: music, floral arrangements, lights, delicacies, porcelain, tales, legends and winter scenery. They all share the same aim: to put a twinkle in the eyes of children and adults alike!

CHRISTMAS PASS – DISCOVER THE MAGIC IN THE LAND OF CHÂTEAUX

Don’t miss out on special offers – book your châteaux Pass now!

During the event, these Passes give you access to discounted admission to the châteaux, including evening openings. They also offer discounts with several partners (grocery shops, activities, etc.). The choice is yours!

3-Castle Pass
4-Castle Pass
5-Castle Pass
6-Castle Pass
7-Castle Pass

Go on sale in September

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

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

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Noel Chateau Villandry Credit Adt Touraine Jc Coutand 59
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Jean-Christophe COUTAND-MEHEUT

Great ideas for Christmas

‘Christmas in the land of châteaux’ is proving a huge success during the school holidays. If you can, do come and explore the tour routes from the first two weeks of December!

All-inclusive breaks are also organised by the Tours Val de Loire Tourist Office:
– 2 days / 1 night, including visits to 3 châteaux,
– 3 days / 2 nights, including visits to 5 châteaux

Book a Christmas break

When it comes to transport…

Choose a way to travel that’s kind to your wallet and the planet!

REMI (the Region’s Inter-city Transport Network) offers two passes for unlimited travel, with reduced rates at certain venues on presentation of your travel pass, as well as a special offer for 15–25-year-olds:

Rémi Découverte Pass (Centre-Val de Loire region): €45 for 2 days or €60 for 3 days, for a group of up to 5 people
Rémi Découverte Plus Pass (Centre-Val de Loire and Île-de-France regions): €95 for 2 days or €120 for 3 days, for a group 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

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Noël à Chenonceau : Noëls & traditions du monde

Christmas celebrations in Tours city centre

Whilst the Christmas market is the perfect place to buy your presents for the festive season, the gourmet village will immerse you in a festive and indulgent atmosphere.

Christmas markets

XXL Christmas trees, festive treats, lavishly laid tables…

Imagine a giant Christmas tree decked out with thousands of decorations, sugar sculptures adorned with multicoloured sweets, dozens of candles casting a play of light and shadow, a huge Provençal nativity scene filled with little scenes and figures, elegant tables worthy of a fairy tale, a magical Christmas vegetable garden… From late November to early January, immerse yourself in the marvellous world created by these Loire Valley châteaux.

After one, two, three visits, you’ll soon find yourself wanting to collect them all – one discovery irresistibly leading to the next!

These Christmas tours in the land of châteaux are open every day, including outside school holiday periods. For even more magic, come and admire them after dark:

The Château of Villandry: Saturday 5 December;
The Château of Azay-le-Rideau: Saturday 12 December;
The Royal Château of Amboise: date to be confirmed…
The Royal fortress of Chinon: Saturday 19 December;
The Château of Chenonceau: Wednesday 23 December;
The Château of Langeais: Saturday 26 December;
The Royal City of Loches: Tuesday 29 December.

The châteaux of the Loire

The Royal Château of Amboise A Royal Christmas for the pet animals

Taking advantage of the Court’s temporary absence, the many pets at the Château d’Amboise decided to secretly organise their own Christmas celebrations in the royal residence. Each in their own way, drawing on their particular skills and expertise, they ingeniously contributed to the creation of the decorations on display. Alongside Queen Anne’s multicolored birds, big cats, a baby giraffe, and an ostrich, mingle—amid these joyful preparations—with deer, birds of prey, and mischievous little rodents. As somewhat nosy guests, visitors to the château are invited this year to join in this Christmas that is truly unlike any other!

The Royal Château of Amboise

The Château of Azay-le-Rideau The flavours of fine French patisserie

For this year’s edition of ‘Christmas in the land of châteaux’, the Château of Azay-le-Rideau is placing gastronomy at the heart of its programme. Each room in the château is dedicated to a signature dish of the festive season, presented in refined, immersive and sometimes animated settings. Through this unique tour, visitors discover the world of Christmas preparations and the expertise that goes into creating sumptuous festive feasts. This exhibition pays tribute to the artisans of flavour and the chefs whose passion, high standards and creativity turn Christmas meals into unique moments of conviviality and wonder. The château thus becomes the setting for a gourmet celebration where heritage and the art of living come together.

The Château of Azay-le-Rideau

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

The Château of Chenonceau Christmas and traditions around the world

This year, Chenonceau pays tribute to the spirit and traditions of Christmas. Those of our childhood, those we dream of, entirely reimagined through the eyes of our set designer, Jean François Boucher, and his team at the château’s Atelier Floral. They are reimagining French Christmas traditions, as well as those of Great Britain, Germany, the Americas, Japan, Iceland… amongst others. A nod to visitors who have come here from all over the world!

The grand riverside gallery is transformed into a Viennese ballroom, whilst the incredible kitchens within the bridge piers are divided between India, with its colours and fragrant spices; Provence, with its thirteen desserts; and Alsace. A world that changes every year, always featuring, talented floral creations.

The Château of Chenonceau

The Royal fortress of Chinon Christmas in Fairyland

The Royal Fortress of Chinon celebrates the world of fairies, inspired by medieval tales and a world of wonder. Designed as a self-guided walk, the tour gradually reveals these mysterious creatures, hidden within the scenery or moving through the heart of an enchanted forest. The tour thus takes visitors through various scenes of fairy life, where they watch over a magical cradle or prepare their Christmas table, evoking the closeness of these beings to the human world. The exploration continues in the Clock Tower with an exhibition of photographs dedicated to the Cottingley Fairies, offering a glimpse – somewhere between history and illusion – into these creatures and their powers. Ultimately, perhaps the magic of Christmas has its origins in these fairies, the discreet guardians of imaginary worlds…

The Royal fortress of Chinon

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

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Noël au pays des châteaux. Château de Langeais.
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ADT Touraine - Jean-Christophe COUTAND

The Château of Langeais An enchanting and musical Christmas

Langeais Castle invites you to experience a Christmas steeped in poetry. From room to room, Christmas carols and music echo amongst the decorations, all created by artists from Tours. Light, plants, textiles, paper and sound come together in an immersive experience with a delicate, contemporary narrative, interacting with the site’s collections, spaces and historical materials. In the attic, an enchanted forest brings this magical journey to a close. Younger visitors can extend the adventure with a Christmas carol activity book, designed to accompany them as they explore the château.

The Château of Langeais

The Royal City of Loches Tales from the Royal City: Beauty and the Beast

Step inside without fear… and let yourself be swept away by the magic of the fairy tale. To mark ‘Christmas in the land of châteaux’, the Royal City of Loches invites visitors to immerse themselves in the timeless tale of Beauty and the Beast, first published in 1740 by Gabrielle-Suzanne de Villeneuve, and later popularised in 1756 by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont. From the entrance to the royal residence, every space becomes a living scene from the story, transformed by snow, red roses, sets and lighting effects. A snow-covered staircase, Belle’s bedroom, an enchanting banquet and a magical finale come together to create an immersive journey through poetry, emotion and magic. A unique sensory experience at the heart of an exceptional monument.

The Royal City of Loches

The Château of Villandry At Christmas, nature makes its way into the château.

This winter, nature is taking up residence once more at inside the château of Villandry. Once the doors are closed, plants and animals take over every room, creating an atmosphere that is by turns woodland-like and snow-covered, yet always warm and welcoming. But this year, the forest’s inhabitants have set themselves a major challenge: to create their very own (magical) Christmas vegetable garden, directly inspired by the one at Villandry! Naturally, there’ll be vegetables, but also plenty of other surprises…

The Château of Villandry

in addition to Christmas in the land of châteaux

In addition to these monuments, many other events bring the tourist sites to life during the Christmas season in Touraine!

Santa’s village at the fortress of montbazon

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Fééries de Noël

5Dec6Dec

Noël au château de Montpoupon

19Dec20Dec

Noël magique au Domaine de Candé

What about presents?!

Whether white, rosé or red, wines from Bourgueil, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Chinon, Montlouis-sur-Loire or Vouvray pair beautifully with festive menus: do remember to pick up a few bottles from the Loire Valley, particularly during the end-of-year open days at the estates.

For an aperitif, go for Loire fish terrines on toasted bread, available in several delicatessens. And whilst we’re on the subject of spices, head to Terre Exotique and its peppers from all over the world! Fancy some chocolates? In Amboise, don’t miss those from Maison Bigot. As for Touraine’s black truffles, you’ll find them at Les Halles de Tours, as well as at several markets dedicated to this culinary treasure.

Near the village of Villaines-les-Rochers, artisan basket weavers craft original wicker decorations for your Christmas tree, such as those from Ateliers M Hélène Métézeau, a Master Artisan. Another great place to visit: Les Courants d’Art, a collective of craftspeople and antique dealers in Beaulieu-Lès-Loches.

Fancy treating yourself to a present? Try ‘La Tourangelle’ Yule log, expertly crafted by several bakeries. A light biscuit made with almonds and hazelnuts, filled with vanilla cream, Tarte Tatin-style apples and salted butter caramel… yum!