Christmas in Touraine: our ideas for festive outings

With the 3-Castle Pass, embark on a magical journey to the heart of “Christmas in the land of châteaux”! Seven of the Loire Valley’s most prestigious castles—Villandry, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, Langeais, Chinon, and Loches—celebrate the holiday spirit with exceptional tours, spectacular decorations, and unique activities.
 
The 3-Castle Pass gives you access to 3 of the 7 sites of your choice at special rates for the duration of the event. Other benefits:

• skip-the-line access at the castles of Azay-le-Rideau and Amboise,
• free admission — with no extra charge and no reservation required — to the evening opening at the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau (valued at €16), as well as to all evening openings at the six other castles,
• the option to visit the Château de Chenonceau without reserving a specific tour time slot (subject to availability during the Christmas holidays in case of high attendance).

• a guided tour with a complimentary wine tasting at the Cave de Vouvray,
• discounts and special offers from about ten partner businesses.

With the 4-Castle Pass, embark on a magical journey to the heart of “Christmas in the land of châteaux”! Seven of the Loire Valley’s most prestigious castles—Villandry, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, Langeais, Chinon, and Loches—celebrate the holiday spirit with exceptional tours, spectacular decorations, and unique activities.
 
The 4-Castle Pass gives you access to 4 of the 7 sites of your choice at special rates for the duration of the event. Other benefits:

• skip-the-line access at the castles of Azay-le-Rideau and Amboise,
• free admission — with no extra charge and no reservation required — to the evening opening at the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau (valued at €16), as well as to all evening openings at the six other castles,
• the option to visit the Château de Chenonceau without reserving a specific tour time slot (subject to availability during the Christmas holidays in case of high attendance).

• a guided tour with a complimentary wine tasting at the Cave de Vouvray,
• discounts and special offers from about ten partner businesses.

With the 5-Castle Pass, embark on a magical journey to the heart of “Christmas in the land of châteaux”! Seven of the Loire Valley’s most prestigious castles—Villandry, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, Langeais, Chinon, and Loches—celebrate the holiday spirit with exceptional tours, spectacular decorations, and unique activities.
 
The 5-Castle Pass gives you access to 5 of the 7 sites of your choice at special rates for the duration of the event. Other benefits:

• skip-the-line access at the castles of Azay-le-Rideau and Amboise,
• free admission — with no extra charge and no reservation required — to the evening opening at the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau (valued at €16), as well as to all evening openings at the six other castles,
• the option to visit the Château de Chenonceau without reserving a specific tour time slot (subject to availability during the Christmas holidays in case of high attendance).

• a guided tour with a complimentary wine tasting at the Cave de Vouvray,
• discounts and special offers from about ten partner businesses.

With the 6-Castle Pass, embark on a magical journey to the heart of “Christmas in the land of châteaux”! Seven of the Loire Valley’s most prestigious castles—Villandry, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, Langeais, Chinon, and Loches—celebrate the holiday spirit with exceptional tours, spectacular decorations, and unique activities.
 
The 6-Castle Pass gives you access to 6 of the 7 sites of your choice at special rates for the duration of the event. Other benefits:

• skip-the-line access at the castles of Azay-le-Rideau and Amboise,
• free admission — with no extra charge and no reservation required — to the evening opening at the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau (valued at €16), as well as to all evening openings at the six other castles,
• the option to visit the Château de Chenonceau without reserving a specific tour time slot (subject to availability during the Christmas holidays in case of high attendance).

• a guided tour with a complimentary wine tasting at the Cave de Vouvray,
• discounts and special offers from about ten partner businesses.

 
On the program: each château features a unique theme and a special one-night-only opening!
 
•   Château of Villandry - At Christmas, nature makes its way into the château
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. Evening opening: Saturday, December 5.
 
•    Château of Azay-le-Rideau - The flavours of fine French patisserie
Each room in the château is dedicated to a signature dish of the festive season, presented in refined, immersive and sometimes animated settings. Evening opening: Saturday, December 12.
 
•    Royal Château of Amboise - A Royal Christmas for the pet animals
Taking advantage of the court’s temporary absence, the castle’s pets have decided to secretly organize their own Christmas celebrations in the royal residence. Evening opening: Friday, December 11.
 
•    Château of Chenonceau - Christmas and traditions around the world
The castle pays tribute to customs from around the world, including Great Britain, Germany, the Americas, Iceland, and more… Evening opening: Wednesday, December 23.
 
•    Château of Langeais - An enchanting and musical Christmas
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. Evening opening: Saturday, December 26.
 
•    Royal Fortress of Chinon - Christmas in Fairyland
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. Evening tour: Saturday, December 19.
 
•    Royal City of Loches - Tales from the Royal City: Beauty and the Beast
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. Evening opening: Tuesday, December 29.

Price: €87
With the 7-Castle Pass, don’t miss a thing in the enchanted world of “Christmas in the land of châteaux”! Discover Villandry, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, Langeais, Chinon, and Loches through exceptional guided tours, spectacular decorations, and unique activities.
 
The 7-Castle Pass gives you access to all participating sites at special rates for the entire duration of the event. Other benefits:

• skip-the-line access at the castles of Azay-le-Rideau and Amboise,
• free admission — with no extra charge and no reservation required — to the evening opening at the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau (valued at €16), as well as to all evening openings at the six other castles,
• the option to visit the Château de Chenonceau without reserving a specific tour time slot (subject to availability during the Christmas holidays in case of high attendance).

• a guided tour with a complimentary wine tasting at the Cave de Vouvray,
• discounts and special offers from about ten partner businesses.

 
On the program: each château features a unique theme and a special one-night-only opening!
 
•   Château of Villandry - At Christmas, nature makes its way into the château
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. Evening opening: Saturday, December 5.
 
•    Château of Azay-le-Rideau - The flavours of fine French patisserie
Each room in the château is dedicated to a signature dish of the festive season, presented in refined, immersive and sometimes animated settings. Evening opening: Saturday, December 12.
 
•    Royal Château of Amboise - A Royal Christmas for the pet animals
Taking advantage of the court’s temporary absence, the castle’s pets have decided to secretly organize their own Christmas celebrations in the royal residence. Evening opening: Friday, December 11.
 
•    Château of Chenonceau - Christmas and traditions around the world
The castle pays tribute to customs from around the world, including Great Britain, Germany, the Americas, Iceland, and more… Evening opening: Wednesday, December 23.
 
•    Château of Langeais - An enchanting and musical Christmas
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. Evening opening: Saturday, December 26.
 
•    Royal Fortress of Chinon - Christmas in Fairyland
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. Evening tour: Saturday, December 19.
 
•    Royal City of Loches - Tales from the Royal City: Beauty and the Beast
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. Evening opening: Tuesday, December 29.

Duration: 2h - Price: from 7€
Discover Tours in a whole new light with this night-time guided tour along the ‘Parcours Lumière’.

Take a new look at the city as night falls. The ‘Parcours Lumière’ highlights Tours by magnifying its monuments and natural spaces. The streets of Vieux-Tours, the timber-framed houses of Place Plumereau, the Basilique Saint-Martin, the Tour Charlemagne, the Grand Théâtre... the urban landscape reveals a different face as you take this tour. A not-to-be-missed opportunity to discover the city in a different way!

This tour has been awarded the Ville d'Art et d'Histoire label.