You stay at the hotel Escale Oceania in Orléans. The hotel is located on Quai Saint-Laurent along the Loire. Orléans is one of the oldest cities in France, formed by the river Loire and located in the Center-Val de Loire region.
You cross the Loire via the 'Pont de l'Europe'. It is the most recent bridge in the city of Orléans and dates back to 1998. This arch bridge is 470 meters long and 25 meters wide. The slanted metal arch on the edge of the deck, the elegant cable suspension and the original design of the supports are the main features of this structure.
The Loiret is a tributary of the Loire that is only twelve kilometers long. Nevertheless, it has given its name to the Loiret department of central France. The river rises from an underground tributary of the Loire that reappears and then flows back to the main stream through the municipalities of Orléans, Olivet and Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Mesmin. The entire catchment area is located in the agglomeration of the city of Orléans.
In Cléry-Saint-André you pass the basilica Notre-Dame, a beautiful religious building. Inside is the tomb of King Louis XI and his wife.

In Meung-sur-Loire you cross the Loire back to visit the castle. The Château de Meung, the cradle of the Capetians, was the prestigious residence of the bishops of Orléans until the French Revolution. Also called Château au Deux Visages (castle with two faces), because of its medieval and classical facades, this castle has been home to great names from the history of France: important guests such as Kings Francis I and Louis XI, a living legend like Joan of Arc. From the refinement of a liqueur parlor to the wings of the kitchens, from the 18th century chapel to the bishops' bathroom, from the attics to the terrifying subterranean vaults, the owners of the Château de Meung share all the secrets of this castle with you...

A beautiful view of the Loire and the XIV-century bridge in Beaugency is also an ideal place to take a photo. With a length of 1012 km, the Loire is the longest river in France. The river flows through the towns of Nantes and Orléans. The Loire has its source in the Ardèche in the Massif Central, at the foot of Mont Gerbier de Jonc.
Just outside the commune of Thoury is the sign 'Domaine nationale de Chambord'. You now drive 6 km through the castle domain. The road is straight and runs through a vast forest. Once arrived at the castle, a landscape and architectural spectacle unfolds (RP 19). In an enormous clearing with large lawns and canals, Frans I's showpiece shines. Chambord's location is impressive.
Chambord Castle is the largest, most expensive and most impressive castle in the Loire Valley.
It is so big that in France only the castles of Versailles and Fontainebleau are bigger.
The question is why it is actually so big. This has a number of reasons, but the most important is that the French king could afford it, he had a big ego and wanted to show that to the world. The castle is not at all intended for living or ruling, it was designed and built for parties. The size of the castle gives you an immediate sense of how big those parties of the king were.
The building itself is wider than it is high and therefore feels even bigger. The specific shape gives the castle a unique character. Although the floors have round shapes, they are otherwise somber and strict and thus form a peaceful basis.
This grandiose and elegant building is made up of a central keep with four round towers and a defensive wall. Its famous double spiral staircase is a true architectural masterpiece. This ingenious construction allowed two people to go up and down without crossing each other! After the visit to the apartments, there is an obligatory detour along the terrace of the castle. From there, the view of the thousands of dormers, fireplaces and turrets offers a breathtaking spectacle. How wonderful! The terrace of the keep also allows you to enjoy the view of the park of the national domain of Chambord. As a hunting reserve, the castle park is surrounded by a wall of 32 kilometers, making the park the largest walled forest in Europe. Visitors wishing to go hiking can do so, for example, thanks to the park's signposted paths.
The Cosson is a 96.4 kilometer long river. The château de Chambord is built in a bend of the Cosson. The Cosson flows into the River Beuvron at Candé-sur-Beuvron, less than 1 kilometer from the confluence with the Loire.

Just before entering Blois you come to the Loire where you have a beautiful view of the Loire and the city of Blois with the Saint-Louis cathedral, the castle and the Saint Nicholas Church. You now cross the Loire via the Jacques-Gabriel bridge. This bridge was built in the 18th century by Jacques Gabriel. It was in fact built of hard stone and debris collected by a lime and sand mortar, with masonry posts planted in the river bed, probably connected by a walkway. The bridge, about 320 m long, was 8 m wide, not including the parapets, and had 22 arches, the average width of which ranged from 10 to 12 m.
The royal castle of Blois was initially a medieval fortress of the Counts of Blois, but became an important place in the history of France from the 15th century. After 25 years of imprisonment in England, Charles of Orléans set his sights on the castle. The art-sensitive prince then began extensive work that left only the medieval Herenzaal and the Foxtoren untouched.
His son Louis XII was born on the castle and became king in 1498 and then made Blois the capital of his kingdom. He ordered the construction of the Louis XII wing, which testifies to the end of the Gothic style and the beginning of a new style that developed under Italian influence.
Francis I's accession to the throne brought about new changes to the castle. He had the main building built by an Italian architect who used the style of the first French Renaissance. The facade of the lodges is mainly influenced by that of the Vatican. The spiral staircase is without a doubt the showpiece. The castle has also had its share of mind-boggling events, such as the escape of Maria de 'Medici who was banished to the castle by her son, King Louis XIII. Not long afterwards, Louis XIII gave the Duchy of Blois to his brother Gaston of Orléans, who settled on the castle and put his own stamp on it. After the death of Gaston van Orléans, the castle fell into obscurity until it was recognized as a Historic Monument in the 19th century. A tour of the royal apartments shows the different aspects of everyday life during the Renaissance through a scenic tour. Here the extraordinary art collection as well as the furniture and antique objects come into their own. The decors restored down to the smallest details also contribute. The former kitchens now house interpretation and architecture rooms.

You can spend the night at the Hotel Novotel about one kilometer from the castle. The hotel has its own parking space.
You will have the opportunity to enjoy one of the most enchanting attractions at Castle Blois in the evening, the light and sound show that transforms the facade into a gigantic screen from spring onwards, on which the most famous events at the castle pass before visitors.