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, discover the 2026 program to keep dreaming while waiting for next edition!
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.
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 to four 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.
![Noel au chateau - nocturne]()
Each château opens its doors for one evening so visitors can admire the decorations after dark.
- Villandry Castle: Saturday 5th december
- Azay-le-Rideau Castle: Saturday 12th december
- Royal Castle of Amboise: Upcoming dates
- Chenonceau Castle: Wednesday 23 december
- Royal Fortress of Chinon: Saturday 9 december
- Royal City of Loches: Tuesday 29 december
- Langeais castle: Saturday 29 december
2026 programme
![Château de Chenonceau - Grand Nord]()
Chenonceau chateau
Chenonceau Castle - Christmas and traditions around the world
This year, Chenonceau pays tribute to the spirit and traditions of Christmas. Those of our childhood, those we dream of, entirely reimagined through the eyes of our set designer, Jean François Boucher, and his team at the château’s Atelier Floral. They are reimagining French Christmas traditions, as well as those of Great Britain, Germany, the Americas, Japan, Iceland… amongst others. A nod to visitors who have come here from all over the world!Activities calendar coming soon.
![Crèche installée au Château Royal d’Amboise]()
Royal Castle of Amboise
Royal Castle of Amboise – A Royal Christmas for the pet animals
Taking advantage of the Court’s temporary absence, the many pets at the Château d’Amboise decided to secretly organise their own Christmas celebrations in the royal residence. Each in their own way, drawing on their particular skills and expertise, they ingeniously contributed to the creation of the decorations on display. Alongside Queen Anne’s multicolored birds, big cats, a baby giraffe, and an ostrich, mingle—amid these joyful preparations—with deer, birds of prey, and mischievous little rodents. As somewhat nosy guests, visitors to the château are invited this year to join in this Christmas that is truly unlike any other!
Activities calendar coming soon.
![Château d’Azay-le-Rideau - Les saveurs de la haute pâtisserie]()
Azay-le-Rideau Castle - Delicacies in the realm of fairy tales
Château d’Azay-le-Rideau - The flavours of fine French patisserie
For this year’s edition of ‘Christmas in the land of châteaux’, the Château of Azay-le-Rideau is placing gastronomy at the heart of its programme. Each room in the château is dedicated to a signature dish of the festive season, presented in refined, immersive and sometimes animated settings. Through this unique tour, visitors discover the world of Christmas preparations and the expertise that goes into creating sumptuous festive feasts. This exhibition pays tribute to the artisans of flavour and the chefs whose passion, high standards and creativity turn Christmas meals into unique moments of conviviality and wonder. The château thus becomes the setting for a gourmet celebration where heritage and the art of living come together.
Activities calendar coming soon.
![Château et jardins de Villandry - A Noël, la nature s’invite au château]()
Villandry Castle and Gardens - At Christmas, nature comes to the castle
Villandry Castle and Gardens - At Christmas, nature makes its way into the château
This winter, nature is taking up residence once more at inside the château of Villandry. 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. But this year, the forest’s inhabitants have set themselves a major challenge: to create their very own (magical) Christmas vegetable garden, directly inspired by the one at Villandry! Naturally, there’ll be vegetables, but also plenty of other surprises…
Activities calendar coming soon.
![Cité Royale de Loches - Les contes de la cité royale]()
Royal City of Loches - Tales of the Royal City
Royal City of Loches - Tales from the Royal City: Beauty and the Beast
Step inside without fear… and let yourself be swept away by the magic of the fairy tale. To mark ‘Christmas in the land of châteaux’, the Royal City of Loches invites visitors to immerse themselves in the timeless tale of 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. A snow-covered staircase, Belle’s bedroom, an enchanting banquet and a magical finale come together to create an immersive journey.
Activities calendar coming soon.
![Famille à la Forteresse Royale de Chinon]()
Royal Fortress of Chinon - Christmas Treasures
Royal Fortress of Chinon - Christmas in Fairyland
The Royal Fortress of Chinon celebrates the world of fairies, inspired by medieval tales and a world of wonder. 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.
Activities calendar coming soon.
![Enfant déguisé en fée au château de Langeais]()
Langeais château
Langeais Castle—A Musical and Enchanting Christmas
Langeais Castle invites you to experience a Christmas steeped in poetry. From room to room, Christmas carols and music echo amid decorations created entirely by artists from Tours. 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 historic materials. In the attic, an enchanted forest brings this magical journey to a close. Younger visitors can extend the adventure with a Christmas carol activity book, designed to guide them as they explore the château.
Program to be announced.
