Château de Cheverny

With extensive grounds, an on-site cafe, and electric cars and boats for rent, there's plenty to do here beyond touring the castle itself. Also of interest is a 3D exhibition dedicated to The Adventures of Tintin, the comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. The château was used in creating Tintin's Marlinspike Hall, and there is a collection of Tintin items that bring the comic book character to life in his fictional home. Some Loire Valley tours come to the castle, including day trips from Paris.

• Most of the castle is difficult to access by wheelchair, although the Tintin exhibit is accessible thanks to an elevator.
• Guided tours are available on-site for a small fee, and reservations are not required except for large groups.
• If you don’t wish to dine at the on-site Cafe de l’Orangerie, you can bring a picnic to eat at one of the covered picnic pavilions near the canal.

The castle is best reached by car or as part of a tour that includes transportation. If you’re coming by train, your best bet is to head to the Gare de Blois Chambord in Blois (you’ll need to change trains in Orleans if you’re coming from Paris), which is about a 25-minute taxi ride away.

The Château de Cheverny is open daily with extended summer hours. It's a good idea to come first thing in the morning if you're visiting in the peak summer season to avoid crowds. The 100-odd dogs who live here are fed publicly every day during peak season and on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays (excluding bank holidays) from mid-September through March.

Not far from the Château de Cheverny, the Château de Blois is another popular Loire castle worth visiting, though it’s not always included on tours that focus on major castles. This multi-wing castle is full of beautiful period furniture and has its own fine arts museum, plus a popular sound-and-light show held from spring through early autumn.