Christmas in the land of castles, for moments filled with magic

For the ninth year running, six iconic Loire Valley châteaux are offering visitors an enchanting Christmas experience.
While visiting the châteaux is always a delight, during the weeks of ‘Christmas in the Land of Châteaux’, visitors find themselves in a world filled with magic.
The châteaux of Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau and Villandry, the royal fortress of Chinon and the royal city of Loches interpret Christmas in different ways, but always with spectacular displays. Designers, visual artists, craftspeople and decorators have created artistic and creative displays that create an atmosphere full of poetry and, dare we say it, magic that makes everyone's eyes sparkle. To amaze the little ones and bring out the child in the grown-ups.

Azay-le-Rideau Castle. - If gluttony is a nasty habit, you won't gain a single gram in this beautiful castle. Because here, in the realm of fairy tales, delicacies can unfortunately only be enjoyed with the eyes, even though all you want to do is take a seat at one of the sumptuous tables inspired by the stories of your childhood. A crystal-clear universe brings Elsa to life, a fir tree decorated with apples recalls the tale of Snow White, and the doors of a wardrobe open onto the frosty landscapes of Narnia. Porcelain from the Gien factory and glasses from the Montbronn crystal factory add a touch of elegance to the imaginative decorations and magnificent collections of the château. The refined creations of Corinne Bernizet (Baucis and Philémon), Véronique Pineau, Charlotte Terriou and Véronique Chavet bring to life a world of magic and delights.

The royal city of Loches. – A thousand-year-old keep, a royal residence. Although the interior is not as lavishly furnished as other castles, the imagination has taken over the premises, bringing the world of Alice in Wonderland to life. From room to room, children and adults alike follow the adventures of the whimsical characters. Along the route designed by Marie Driaux from Loches, of the Kreatio company, you will encounter the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, Bill the Lizard, the Mad Hatter, the Wicked Queen of Hearts... and as an added bonus, storytelling and activities during weekends and school holidays.

Chinon Royal Fortress. - The memory of Henry II Plantagenet, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Richard the Lionheart, Charles VII and Joan of Arc hangs over the royal fortress. For Christmas, the tour revisits the symbols and wonders of our children's treasures. Gold, a symbol of light, power and royalty, gives the visit a special sparkle. Everything shines, sparkles and glitters: the floral creations, tableware, Christmas trees and decorations, and the scenographic plant and floral design created by Géraldine Leclerc of Coach Floral transform Henry II Plantagenet's last refuge into a dreamlike sanctuary.
A photographic exhibition in the Clock Tower highlights the talent of Touraine's craftsmen specialising in gilding and gold leaf.

Chenonceau Castle. - The favourite residence of several queens takes visitors on a journey to the Far North. The forest of snow-covered birch trees and tall white firs in the grand gallery is almost enough to make you shiver! The tables in the kitchens are laden with frosty delicacies, and chocolate penguins populate the pantry, which has been transformed into an ice floe. A sparkling world.

The Château d'Amboise. – The nursery of the kings of France (Charles VIII and Francis I grew up here) is still imbued with a cheerful atmosphere. It's easy to imagine the royal children chasing each other through the halls and corridors, playing hide-and-seek among the magnificent fir trees that lend themselves to all kinds of fantasies thanks to the creativity of Marion de Foliascope and a local seamstress: the fir tree that wanted to be king, the fir trees of sighs and dreams, and the fir tree of the dark night. 
Don't miss the huge Neapolitan nativity scene. And a quick visit to the chapel where Leonardo da Vinci is buried.

Villandry Castle. - You'll want to settle down in this cosy château, renowned for its exceptional vegetable and ornamental gardens. Its owners, the Carvallo family, have created a warm atmosphere in the various rooms. At Christmas, nature spills out of the gardens to venture and flourish throughout the château, happily highlighting the gourmet creations of Véronique Chauvet, a visual artist. What a shame that her festive dishes are not edible. Stair railings, mantelpieces, vegetation runs everywhere, even into an enchanted forest populated by animals. The visit is pleasantly extended by a winter stroll along the lime tree-lined paths of the garden to admire the mosaics of ornamental cabbages and leeks, and the yew topiaries. Special guided tours on Wednesdays and weekends on the theme of the history of Christmas in France, Spain and the United States, recalling the origins of Joachim Carvallo and Anne Coleman, the owner's great-grandparents.