Dating in Blois, in the shadow of the royal château

Place du Château and Francis I staircase

Perched on its rocky spur, the Royal Château of Blois gathers four styles around a single courtyard: Gothic, Flamboyant, Renaissance and Classical. The Francis I staircase, with its open-faced spiral, is one of the symbols of royal Loire architecture. Opposite, the House of Magic, Robert-Houdin’s former home, lets its dragons stretch out of the windows every half-hour. A playful date to start the day.

Old town and the Denis-Papin steps

From Place du Château, cobbled lanes tumble down towards the Loire. Rue Pierre-de-Blois, with its half-timbered houses, leads to Saint-Louis Cathedral, whose Carolingian crypt is worth a visit. A little further on, the monumental Denis-Papin steps link the two levels of the town; they are often painted with a fresco for the Kings of France festival.

Gardens and terraces of Blois

The bishop’s gardens, behind the cathedral, offer a sweeping view over the slate roofs and the valley. Lower down, the terraces of Quai Villebois-Mareuil welcome the first drinks of summer. On Lyad, people from Blois share their favourite spots off the tourist trail; it is up to you to find someone to walk down the steps with hand in hand.