Lire l’article en version française : Découvrez les plus beaux Châteaux de la Loire en Train

Listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, the Loire Valley is full of some real treasures of French heritage you can explore by train.

Characterful towns burst with architectural gems you will not find anywhere else in the world: Orléans, Blois, Tours and Saumur are some of the places that are not to be missed when visiting the Loire Valley.

Less than three hours by train from Paris, treat yourself to some unforgettable memories by visiting the Château de Chambord

Board one of the Intercités trains at the Gare d’Austerlitz and it will take you all the way to a place that epitomises the Loire Valley. Enjoy a quick, comfortable journey, arriving at Blois-Chambord railway station in just a few hours. There, a shuttle bus will be waiting to take you to your destination in comfort, dropping you off right outside one of the most beautiful châteaux in the world, a true masterpiece of the Renaissance where, among other marvels, you will discover the famous double-helix staircase.

Travel by train to enjoy a stress-free family trip to the ZooParc de Beauval!

Train travel is a perfect and practical solution to successful family holidays in one of the most beautiful regions of France. Travelling on Intercités trains means you can forget your usual worries about preparing for a journey and enjoy guaranteed services as soon as you get to the station.

To get to the ZooParc de Beauval with your children at a reasonable price, just hop on the Paris Austerlitz – Tours line. In under two hours you will find yourself at Blois-Chambord station. Once again, you won’t have to worry about traffic jams or the stress of travelling by road; your shuttle bus will be waiting for you. All that’s left for you to do is enjoy one of the biggest zoos in the world and meet the famous pandas and hippopotamuses.

From Mickey to Tintin – just a train ride away!

Extend your trip to the Loire Valley by setting off in the footsteps of Tintin, the comic strip hero.

As we often mention on My Loire Valley, the Loire Valley is a destination full of surprises. While Balzac, Descartes, Rabelais and many others found inspiration for the creation of great works in this sumptuous countryside, the land of the Loire Châteaux also proved a major influence on the Belgian cartoonist Hergé, creator of Tintin.

When he first dreamt up Marlinspike Hall, the famous home of Captain Haddock, it was actually after discovering the Château de Cheverny, located in the heart of the Sologne.

This neighbour of the Château de Chambord now houses a permanent exhibition, in partnership with the Hergé Foundation, covering the world and adventures of Tintin, as well as a fascinating exhibition that retraces history in Lego bricks! Discover a wonderful family outing and magnificent countryside just three hours from the French capital.

Booking your ticket on the internet has never been simpler! Bus connections are there as you leave the station to make your trip easier and allow you to explore the most beautiful places in the Loire Valley simply and easily.

Preparing your train trip to the Loire Valley :

– Booking Train + Châteaux

– Cheverny – Chambord shuttle bus

– ZooParc de Beauval shuttle bus

– Chaumont-sur-Loire shuttle bus

Photo credits : Ludovic Letot, Loïc Simon (My Loire Valley), SNCF, Epicure Studio 2016, Bonap’Art 2016, The LEGO Group