From December 4, 2021 to Sunday January 2, 2022, seven of the most famous Loire Valley châteaux breathe the holiday spirit through exceptional tour routes as well as numerous activities.
Built in the form of a dreamlike itinerary, each takes on a different theme to dazzle visitors of all ages.
On the program for this 6th edition of “Christmas in the land of castles” in Touraine: giant fir, thousands of candles, animated nativity scene, regional tales, popular operas, nocturnal visits and floral art.
A staging combining the exceptional heritage of the royal castles with the generosity of Christmas celebrations that will delight the whole family.
Chenonceau, the most floral
This year again, the magic of Christmas will indeed be in Chenonceau.
ADT Touraine / JC Coutand
Favorite residence of the queens of France, the Château de Chenonceau has always been known for the elegance and refinement of its floral arrangements.
This year again, it is the very talented and Meilleur Ouvrier de France, designer at the head of the Floral workshop, Jean-François Boucher, who imagines the original and surprising creations that will embellish the “Ladies' Castle”.
Snow-covered firs, bouquets of a thousand colors, sugar surprises: a truly distinguished scenography.
To note :
Exceptional opening of the castle until 8 p.m. in the presence of Jean-François Boucher, for a discovery of the Christmas route after dark on Saturday 18 and Wednesday 22 December 2021.
Floral creation workshop for children with the Chenonceau florists at 3 p.m. on Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23, and Tuesday 28, Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 December 2021.
Fun tours for children 8/12 years old at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, December 29 and January 5, 2022.
Château de Chenonceau, 37150 Chenonceau.
Phone.
: 0820 20 90 90. Open every day from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and until 5:30 pm from December 17th.
Individual price: 15 €.
Reduced price 12 €.
Free for children under 7 years old.
Read alsoCap sur Blois: the gateway to the Loire châteaux in seven favorite activities
Amboise, the most Nivean
Christmas, childhood dreams - The white dreams of kings
: this year at Christmas, the rooms of the royal castle of Amboise are adorned in white.
ADT Touraine / JC Coutand
It is between the walls of the royal castle of Amboise that the young Charles VIII and François I spent their youth and celebrated Christmas.
Imagined by the visual artist Coline de Preissac, three immense all-white installations give pride of place to purity.
Navigate the
Nutcracker
theme
in a snowy forest landscape, through a Homeric snowball fight or immerse yourself in the dreams of young princes.
A Neapolitan crib or umbrella ceiling will also help with the trip;
a real slide on the snowy slopes of royal memories!
To note :
Night party until 8 p.m. on Monday December 27, 2021.
Château Royal d'Amboise, Montée de l'Emir Abd el Kader, 37400 Amboise.
Every day from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Admission: € 13.10 (7-18 years old: € 9).
Azay-le-Rideau, the most gourmet
Véronique Chauvet, plastic artist and professional cook, takes over the château to take up residence in the stoves in order to concoct marvelous papier-mâché dishes.
Leonard de Serres / Press photo
For the 6th edition of the “Christmas in the Land of Castles” event, gluttony remains the main theme of the end-of-year celebrations at the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau.
Imagined by Véronique Chauvet, plastic artist and cook, multiple sculptures of paper, refined suspensions and other origami punctuate the stroll through the heart of the monument.
In the historical collections of tableware and tableware, culinary creations of paper!
Crumpled, cut, embossed: the papers of a thousand colors can be used in any way to create necessarily appetizing decorations.
To note :
Festive and nocturnal evening on December 21, 2021 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The castle will be brought to life with the most famous Christmas carols performed by the Make Christmas Great again quartet.
Guided in the rooms of the castle by Dame Bertille in her cook's dress, young and old alike will discover the backstage of castle life and the secrets of gastronomy in the 19th century.
From December 20 to 30, 2021, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m.
Gourmet tours by discovering the sweets hidden in the Psyche tapestry, the secrets of Renaissance feasts or even the introduction of chocolate in France.
From December 20 to 30, 2021, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 3 p.m.
Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, 19, rue Balzac, 37190 Azay-le-Rideau.
Phone.
: 02 47 45 42 04. Open every day from 10 am to 5.15 pm.
Individual price: 11.5 €.
Group rate: € 9.
Free for visitors under 25 who are nationals of EU countries and regular residents on French territory.
Villandry, the most enchanting
This winter, nature is taking hold of Villandry even more to give us an enchanting Christmas… ADT Touraine / JC Coutand
As always in Villandry, nature comes to the castle.
In the attic, the “enchanted forest” shelters forest animals, birds, trees and shrubs: a real plant fairy tale.
The gardens also put on their winter adornment: mosaics of ornamental cabbages and leeks, boxwood lace and silhouettes of topiary yews.
Under the long alleys of sleepy lime trees, visitors walk in winter as if time had stood still in the Renaissance.
To note :
Magical evening on Tuesday December 28, the castle will be open until 8 p.m.
Château de Villandry, 3, rue Principale, 37510 Villandry.
Phone.
: 02 47 50 02 09. Garden and castle open every day from December 4th from 10am to 5.30pm (and until 6pm from December 18th).
Entrance to the castle and gardens: € 12.
Gardens only: € 7.5 (8 to 18 years old: € 7 and € 5).
Langeais, the brightest
Langeais castle opens its doors at nightfall, to discover its rooms decorated and adorned with lights.
ADT Touraine / JC Coutand
For the end of the year celebrations, the Château de Langeais, where Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany were married, has chosen to bring its heritage to life around light in all its forms: candles, lanterns, fireplace, large chandeliers, entertainment bright… The castle and its gardens will shine with a thousand lights!
To note :
Night party until 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 30, 2021.
Discovery of the world of calligraphy and workshop to create a personalized greeting card from December 21 to 30, from Tuesday to Thursday, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., then between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. (duration approximately 45 min, from 7 years).
On reservation.
Storytelling walk for children led by an actress from December 26 to 28 at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (duration 50 min, ages 4 to 8).
On reservation.
Château de Langeais, Place Pierre de Brosse, 37130 Langeais.
Phone.
: 02 47 96 72 60. Open every day from 10 am to 5 pm (except December 25, opening at 2 pm).
Individual price: € 10, € 8 for 18/25 year olds, € 5 for 10/17 year olds, free for children under 10.
Chinon, the most legendary
In 2021, the royal fortress of Chinon offers a magical journey to the heart of the myths and legends of Christmas.
ADT Touraine / JC Coutand
At the heart of the royal fortress of Chinon, the
Myths and Legends of Christmas
exhibition
presents the origins of Saint-Nicolas, Father Fouettard and Father Christmas in an immersive and decorated journey.
With the help of designer Verart, the Royal Fortress also offers to reinterpret the Christmas tree, thanks to the design of an original work.
The visit ends with two video games featuring Saint-Nicolas and Father Fouettard.
In addition, a second exhibition in the royal residences on the Myths and Legends of the Fortress will reinforce the interest of a trip to Chinon.
To note :
Night party until 9 p.m. on Thursday 23 December 2021.
For children from 3 years old: reading
Azuro
tales
and the challenge of Santa Claus
.
Every day at 11 a.m. during the Christmas holidays and by reservation.
Guided tours on the theme of Christmas.
Every day at 3 p.m. during the Christmas holidays and by reservation.
Royal Fortress of Chinon, 2 rue du château, 37500 Chinon.
Phone.
: 02 47 93 13 45. Full price: 10.50 €.
Child aged 7 to 18 and students: € 8.50.
Free for children under 7 and job seekers.
Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Loches, the most musical
For the holidays, immerse yourself in the world of Prokofiev and Peter and the Wolf, during a reading at the royal residence.
ADT Touraine / JC Coutand
The royal city of Loches immerses its visitors, young and old, in the enchanting universe of
Pierre et le Loup
.
Throughout the rooms, thanks to an interactive and sound system, as well as the screening of two short films, the popular tale comes to life.
The stroll gives pride of place to the characters as well as to Prokofiev's opera for a musical and enchanting visit.
To note :
Night party until 9 p.m. on Wednesday December 29, 2021.
Reading of
Peter and the Wolf
by an actor at the royal residence - for young audiences, in the morning (11:00 a.m.) and / or in the afternoon (2:30 p.m.) on Sundays 5 & 12 December 2021 and every day from 19 December to 2 January 2022.
Royal city of Loches, 5, place Charles-VII, 37600 Loches.
Phone.
: 02 47 19 18 08. Open every day from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Admission: € 10.5 (7-18 years old: € 8.5).
Good plan
If you wish to discover several of these monuments on the occasion of Christmas, note that a
nominative reduction card
will be sold in the Tourist Offices of Touraine at the single price of
€ 4
.
In addition to a reduced rate in the castles, it will allow you to benefit from a 10% discount in the shops of the tourist offices (excluding ticket offices).
