Christmas in Loire Valley châteaux

From Saturday, November 29, 2025 to January 4, 2026, the spirit of the season returns in the Loire Valley's most famous châteaux for the 10th season of “Christmas in the land of castles”! In each location, magical decorations, staging and unique events based on legends, tales and sweets are sure to delight young and old alike. In this article, (re)discover the 2025 program to keep dreaming while waiting for next year!

And if you're waiting to count down the days until Christmas, check out the video for Noël au Pays des Châteaux 2025!
Discover our Passes & stays
A little, a lot, or madly? Throughout the event, enjoy special rates with Passes for 3, 4, 5, or 6 castles to discover at your leisure. Bonus gift for the holiday season: these Passes give you access to exclusive offers (discounts in toy, craft and local product shops and partner leisure providers: escape games, sidecars, cooking classes, etc.).
And to experience the magic of Christmas to the fullest, the Tours Val de Loire Tourist Office offers all-inclusive packages from, allowing you to live a true Christmas fairy tale. For two or three days of your choice, enjoy your getaway in Touraine to the fullest and with complete peace of mind. A package including your Christmas in the Land of Chateau Pass, accommodation with breakfast in a 3-star hotel in Tours, dinners, and a tasting of mulled wine and crêpes at the Tours Christmas market.
Passes and packages available in September 2026.
Each château opens its doors for one evening so visitors can admire the decorations after dark.
- Villandry Castle: Upcoming dates
- Azay-le-Rideau Castle: Upcoming dates
- Royal Castle of Amboise: Upcoming dates
- Chenonceau Castle: Upcoming dates
- Royal Fortress of Chinon: Upcoming dates
- Royal City of Loches: Upcoming dates
2025 programme
Chenonceau Castle - Far North

Winter, cold weather and snow have arrived at Chenonceau this year! The iconic grand gallery has been transformed into a forest of snow-covered birch trees. Tall white fir trees stand here and there. In the kitchens, frosty delicacies take their place in the dining room and the pantry becomes an ice floe populated by penguins!
Not to be missed:
- Christmas brunch at L’Orangerie during the school holidays;
- Christmas night opening on Tuesday, December 23, with the château open until 8 p.m. and a demonstration by floral designer Jean-François Boucher;
- Reservation and fee required: tour of the Christmas decorations with Jean-François Boucher (Fridays, December 5, 12, and 19 at 10 a.m. / €55); Holiday masterclass (Fridays, December 26 and January 2 at 10 a.m. / €90), exclusive Christmas tours (every Saturday from November 29 to January 3, at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. / €45), Food and wine pairing tastings at the Cave des Dômes (Fridays, December 19 and 26, and January 2 at 6 p.m. / €65).
Royal Castle of Amboise – Christmas, childhood dreams: Oh, beautiful Christmas trees!
Royal Castle of Amboise – Christmas, childhood dreams: Oh, beautiful Christmas trees!
The magic of Christmas brings the souls of the great fir tree people back to life. Fantastic trees have left their forests to gather at the royal castle of Amboise, decked out in their finest festive attire. An invitation to celebrate the holidays with the Tree of Dreams and Fantasies, the Tree of the Fearless Knight, the Tree that Wanted to be King...
Don't miss (2025 events):
- “Candlelit Night Walk” evenings
- Christmas night opening
Azay-le-Rideau Castle - Delicacies in the realm of fairy tales
Château d’Azay-le-Rideau - Delicacies in the realm of fairy tales
An enchanting interlude dedicated to delicacies and imagination. As you wander through the rooms, you will discover sumptuous tables inspired by the most beautiful fairy tales of our childhood: a crystal table evoking the magical world of the Snow Queen, a fir tree, king of the forests, adorned with Snow White's precious apples, and the frosty landscapes of Narnia for an icy and enchanting atmosphere.
Don't miss :
- Christmas Night Tour
- Gourmet tours, Monday
- Reversed tales of the castle, a tour designed by Esmé Planchon, storyteller and author for young people.
Royal Fortress of Chinon - Christmas Treasures
Royal Fortress of Chinon - Christmas Treasures
The Royal Fortress of Chinon is decked out in its finest attire for a display themed around treasure. Gold, a symbol of light, magic and wonder, inspires a magical journey created by floral designer Géraldine Leclerc.
Not to be missed (2025):
- A story woven with gold thread
- Christmas guided tour
- Christmas night opening
Royal City of Loches - Tales of the Royal City
Royal City of Loches - Tales of the Royal City
This year, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the wonderful world of Alice in Wonderland, a tale created by Lewis Carroll, where they will encounter the White Rabbit, the Caterpillar and the Wicked Queen of Hearts!
Not to be missed (2025):
- The Christmas color hunt, for ages 2 and up.
- Storytelling for families with children aged 3 to 12.
- Themed tour “A castle in winter”
- Christmas night opening
Villandry Castle and Gardens - At Christmas, nature comes to the castle
Villandry Castle and Gardens - At Christmas, nature comes to the castle
Rennes, fawns, owls and squirrels have taken up residence at the castle, which has been transformed into a veritable enchanted forest. From the château windows, visitors can admire the gardens, which have also donned their winter finery: mosaics of ornamental cabbages and leeks, lace-like boxwood and topiary yew silhouettes, and long avenues of sleepy lime trees, promising pleasant winter walks.