A 2025 Local’s Guide to Loire Valley Christmas Markets in the Châteaux

This week, I’m offering you a seasonal theme, as I’m taking you to celebrate Christmas in the Loire Valley! As the Christmas markets in Colmar and Alsace are one of my great passions, I’ve always dreamed of discovering Loire Valley Christmas markets and festivities in another region… And what could be better than magnificent castles to add a little more magic to the holiday season!

For around 10 years now, the most famous châteaux of the Loire Valley have joined forces for the “Christmas in the Land of Castles” event. Each château is decked out in its finest decorations, each retaining its own unique style… Because just as each château has its own distinctive features, their Christmas decorations and events are all different too!

As you’ll see throughout this article, the magic of Christmas in the Loire Valley is truly alive! I actually think that the end of the year is the best time to visit… Loire Valley in winter is absolutely gorgeous ! So here’s my complete guide to making the most of it!

See also:

3-Day Loire Valley Itinerary : the Ultimate Guide

9 Unusual Things To Do in the Loire Valley

 

   

   

 

Here is my favorite address for a magical stay during Christmas time in the Loire Valley!

Find your perfect accommodation in the Loire Valley!

 

Relais de Chambord: a little luxury gem that offers you the ultimate privilege of staying just a stone’s throw from the château and having the Chambord estate all to yourself. A unique experience, especially at nightfall when the castle is lit up! The hotel’s services are in keeping with its 4-star rating. The ideal setting for a romantic weekend!

 

• What to bring back from the Loire Valley Christmas markets?

The region is not lacking in local produce. Along the Loire, you will find vineyards that produce Cour Cheverny white wine, among other things. Dried apples and pears are another local specialty. The fruit is cooked for several days, then dried and pounded before being packaged.

The Chambord estate also offers game preserves and terrines made from animals raised on the estate. The region also produces delicious cheeses, such as Sainte Maure de Touraine and Selles-sur-Cher.

 

 

 

LOIRE VALLEY CHRISTMAS MARKET AT CHÂTEAU DE CHAMBORD

 

Practical information – Chambord Castle: Christmas at the castle from November 29, 2025 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: from Saturday, November 29 to Friday, December 19, 2025, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Saturday, December 20, 2025 to Saturday, January 3, 2026, except December 24 and 31: from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: more information on castle website.

A little extra tip for Chambord: bring a jacket because it’s as cold inside as it is outside! 😉

Book your ticket for Chambord

 

The king of castles, Chambord is even more magnificent at Christmas. I have always been fascinated by the castle’s exterior architecture, which is without a doubt my favorite part of Chambord.

If you’re like me, I recommend waiting until nightfall to see it lit up: the show is absolutely spectacular…

This is one of the advantages of staying at the Relais de Chambord at the foot of the castle (see “practical tips at the beginning of the article”): you’ll have this panorama all to yourself, with the sounds of the forest in the background: a moment of pure magic!

 

Inside the castle, the huge rooms on the ground floor are decorated with magnificent plant displays reminiscent of enchanted, snow-covered forests. Small animals hide among the foliage and everything is illuminated: the setting is truly magical!

To me, it is the most breathtaking Loire Valley Christmas castle, because throughout the visit, superb compositions created by a Parisian floral school enhance the furniture, from the castle chapel to the royal bedrooms… The decorations are just like the castle itself: monumental!

 

Another advantage of visiting the Château de Chambord in winter (especially in the morning) is that you get to enjoy this monument of French history all to yourself! Far from the summer crowds, Chambord reveals itself through its maze of corridors, staircases, and countless rooms, where you hardly meet anyone…

And if you come to celebrate Christmas at the Château de Chambord, you can also enjoy a delightful show that will appeal to young and old alike: Monsieur Jourdain’s Christmas! A one-hour costumed show combining music, humor, and theater!

     

 

LOIRE VALLEY CHRISTMAS MARKET AT CHÂTEAU DE CHEVERNY

 

   

Practical information – Cheverny Castle: November 29, 2025 – January 18, 2026, from October 1 to March 31: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Last admission is at 5:00 p.m. (5:30 p.m. during holidays) and the estate closes at 6:30 p.m. Admission: €15 (reduced rate: €11, free for children under 7) – more information atmore information on the castle’s website.

 

 

Famous for being the “castle of Tintin,” or rather the one that served as the model for Moulinsart, Cheverny is undoubtedly the best furnished of the Loire Valley castles. Still inhabited by the family that owns it, Cheverny is a real gem, with its meticulously decorated rooms and magnificent staging!

And for Christmas, the castle pulls out all the stops with even more impressive decorations. This is definitely my favorite Loire Valley Christmas castle !

 

I was captivated by the richness of the decoration, which is truly breathtaking! It’s a festival of colors that slips into the rooms of the castle and adorns each one. Every room is filled with richly decorated Christmas trees, toys, gifts, and tables set for dinner…

The castle staff has done an incredible job of creating this abundance that leaves no one indifferent!

 

The exterior of the castle is also richly decorated, and you can stroll through the huge park to admire it. I also recommend staying at the castle until late afternoon, as the castle itself is illuminated at nightfall. As you can see, Cheverny is pure Christmas magic!

     

 

LOIRE VALLEY CHRISTMAS MARKET AT CHÂTEAU DE CHAUMONT-SUR-LOIRE

   

 

Practical information – Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire: November 29, 2025 to January 11, 2026, every day except December 25 and January 1,
from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. – admission: €16 (reduced rates: €9 and €4, free for children under 6) – more information on the castle’s website

Book your ticket for Chaumont-sur-Loire

Famous for its garden festival, the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire is a castle unlike any other. It is classified as a center for arts and nature, and both the interior and exterior of the castle are the subject of an ongoing dialogue between nature and contemporary art. Numerous works are on display in the rooms of the castle.

 

Beautifully furnished, the castle also features stunning Christmas decorations, where nature is once again omnipresent. The decor is mainly made from plants, with very natural green tones and white lights. I loved these simple and elegant decorations, which perfectly match the spirit of the castle!

The tables set especially for the Christmas period are also magnificent, and I think we would gladly invite ourselves for Christmas Eve dinner! 😉

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Even in winter, when the garden festival is not taking place, you can enjoy the park and discover the permanent works on display there. Big names in land art and lesser-known artists have designed their works in situ so that they interact with the site. The huge park is therefore a very pleasant place to stroll, even in the middle of winter!

You can also visit the stables and various outbuildings, which house some beautiful works. And inside the château, a superb photography exhibition, also on the theme of nature, has taken over the rooms for the winter period.

     

 

 

LOIRE VALLEY CHRISTMAS MARKET AT CHÂTEAU DE BLOIS

 

   

Practical information – Château de Blois: From November 29 to January 4, 2026 – every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – admission: €14.50 (reduced rates: €11.50 and €7, free for children under 6) – free screening of the show in the evening. More information on the castle website. 

Book your ticket for the Château de Blois

 

I loved this castle when I first visited Blois and Chambord three years ago! And I really enjoyed rediscovering it at Christmas, as the colorful and richly furnished interior is enhanced by flamboyant decorations!

Numerous flocked Christmas trees echo the colors of the room in which they are placed. A delicious smell of pine floats throughout the castle, which also contributes to the Christmas spirit!

 

And this year, some unexpected guests have also taken over the castle and the town of Blois: the Anooki! This couple of Inuit, several meters tall, have invited themselves into the castle courtyard, where they come to life every evening during a ten-minute projection.

Mischievous and fearless, the Anooki wander around the castle walls, making a few references to the history of Blois… but also getting up to a lot of mischief! It’s a unique show that will delight all children!

 

You can also find the Anooki in the historic heart of Blois, where I invite you to take a stroll. Listed as a city of art and history, Blois is well worth a visit! Don’t miss the neighborhood at the foot of the castle and the many “degrés” (Blois stairways) that connect the old streets around the cathedral…

     

 

LOIRE VALLEY CHRISTMAS AT A TROGLODYTE SILKWORM FARM

   

Practical information – Troglodyte Silkworm farm: €9 (discounted rates for younger visitors) – opening hours and dates available at https://www.magnanerie-troglo.fr/

 

Christmas decorations and activities have spread throughout the castle, and other sites have joined in, such as the Beauval Zoo and the troglodyte farm in Bourré! I fell in love with this fabulous site, brought to life by its cheerful owners… and inhabitants! The troglodyte farm is a place that is as unusual as it is diverse…

You can visit this former troglodyte “farm” on three levels and discover its many facets!

The guided tour provides information about the tuffeau stone of Bourré, which was used to build some of France’s largest castles, such as Chambord, about the silkworm farming that is typical of the region, and about troglodyte dwellings. Laurent and Laurent, the charming owners, live there all year round!

 

And, exceptionally, you can even see inside, including the living room and kitchen, both of which are as troglodytic as they are modern. I loved this tasteful mix of styles!

This year, the troglodyte magnanerie has embraced Christmas in the land of castles by decorating the entire tour route. The decorations are absolutely magnificent and the visit is even more enjoyable with Christmas carols playing in the background…