Blois, a hillside city on the Loire River, is a piece of living history, with cobblestone streets and restored white houses with slate roofs and red brick chimneys. Some of its "streets" are mere alleyways originally laid out in the Middle Ages, or lanes linked by a series of stairs. Blois is famous for its chateau, the Château Royal de Blois is a former royal palace with ornate chambers, and paintings and sculptures from the 16th to 19th centuries. It is often called the "Versailles of the Renaissance," the second capital of France, and the "city of kings." The château is like an illustrated storybook of French architecture.
Great cities in France, one fantastic trip to explore on your own with a rental car. Start in Paris (the romantic City of Lights; shopping, dining, museums), and then the beautiful Blois (a hillside city on the Loire River, is the capital of the Loir-et-Cher department in central France). This is a flexible package. Select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities.
Driving Time
Paris Airport - Orleans: 2 hrs. 10 mins. approx.
Orleans - Blois: 55 mins. approx.
Blois - Tours: 50 mins. approx.
Tours - Saumur: 55 mins. approx.
Saumur - Nantes: 1 hr. 35 mins. approx.
Driving Time
Nantes - Saumur: 1 hr. 30 mins. approx.
Saumur - Tours: 1 hr. 35 mins.
Tours - Blois: 45 mins. approx.
Blois - Bourges: 1 hr. 30 mins. approx.
Bourges - Paris: 2 hrs. 40 mins. approx.