Noël au Pays des Châteaux
Six Loire Valley castles adorn themselves in their finest for a magical Christmas in Touraine
2026
About Noël au Pays des Châteaux
Noël au Pays des Châteaux — edition 2026
For its 10th edition, "Noël au Pays des Châteaux" brings together six Touraine castles—Amboise, Chenonceau, Villandry, Loches, Azay-le-Rideau, and Chinon—from November 28, 2026, to January 3, 2027. Each site features a unique theme: royal animals at Amboise, "Beauty and the Beast" at Loches, and global Christmas traditions at Chenonceau. A multi-château pass allows you to customize your itinerary, and each castle hosts a special night opening in December.
A Six-Castle Event Since 2016
Since 2016, "Noël au Pays des Châteaux" has united several Touraine castles through festive, themed scenography. For this 10th edition (2026-2027), six sites are participating: Château royal d'Amboise, Château de Chenonceau, Château et jardins de Villandry, Cité royale de Loches, Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, and Forteresse royale de Chinon. Each has selected a theme tailored to its unique holiday decor.
The Multi-Château Pass
A pass is available to visit multiple sites at a discounted rate: 3 castles (43 €), 4 castles (54 €, new for 2026), 5 castles (66 €), or 6 castles (75 €). The pass is valid for the entire duration of the event and also grants discounts at partner locations. Available for purchase online (Tours City Pass) and at tourist office counters starting in September 2026.
Highlights Noël au Pays des Châteaux 2026
- 10th edition of the event, featuring six Touraine castles from November 28, 2026, to January 3, 2027
- "Beauty and the Beast" at the Cité royale de Loches
- "A Royal Animal Christmas" at the Château royal d'Amboise
- Special night openings at each castle throughout December
- Multi-château pass starting at 43 € (for 3 castles)
Programme Noël au Pays des Châteaux 2026
2026 Themes by Château
- Château royal d'Amboise — "A Royal Animal Christmas": The court's pets and exotic animals—from Queen Anne's birds to giraffes, ostriches, deer, and birds of prey—take over the castle.
- Château de Chenonceau — "Christmas Traditions Around the World": A journey through festive customs from Great Britain, Germany, Iceland, the USA, and Japan, featuring floral creations by the Atelier floral. Special evening tours are available every Saturday in December (45 €), with a floral masterclass on December 26th (90 €, booking required).
- Château et jardins de Villandry — "Nature Comes to the Castle for Christmas": Botanical decorations adorn the dining room, bedrooms, and kitchen, with animals hidden throughout the displays. Please note: there are no outdoor decorations in the gardens.
- Cité royale de Loches — "Beauty and the Beast": A scenography centered on roses and snow, the iconic symbols of the 18th-century fairy tale.
- Château d'Azay-le-Rideau — "The Flavors of Fine Pastry": An immersive experience into the world of holiday gastronomy.
- Forteresse royale de Chinon — "Christmas in Fairyland": A deep dive into the magical world of fairies from medieval tales and wondrous folklore.
Christmas Night Openings
- Saturday, December 6, 2026 — Château de Villandry
- Saturday, December 13, 2026 — Château d'Azay-le-Rideau
- Saturday, December 20, 2026 — Château royal d'Amboise
- Tuesday, December 23, 2026 — Château de Chenonceau
- Sunday, December 28, 2026 — Forteresse royale de Chinon
- Monday, December 29, 2026 — Cité royale de Loches
Special evening openings until 8:00 PM (last admission at 7:00 PM at some sites) allow you to enjoy the displays and illuminations after dark. The multi-château pass includes access to these night events at no extra cost.
Prices Noël au Pays des Châteaux 2026
Practical information — Noël au Pays des Châteaux
Practical Information
Access
By car: Amboise is the main starting point, 27 km from Tours via the A10 (exit 18). The six castles are accessible by car within a 60 km radius.
By train: SNCF stations in Amboise and Tours.
Dates
From late November to early January (exact dates announced in the fall).
Prices 2025-2026
- 3-castle pass: €43
- 4-castle pass: €54
- 5-castle pass: €66
- 6-castle pass: €75
Contact
Amboise Val de Loire Tourist Office
Website: amboise-valdeloire.com
Noël au Pays des Châteaux: The Magic of Christmas in Six Loire Valley Gems
From late November to early January, six of the most beautiful Loire Valley castles join forces to present Noël au Pays des Châteaux, a magical event that makes Touraine a prime destination for the holiday season. The Royal Château of Amboise, the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, the Château de Chenonceau, the Royal Fortress of Chinon, the Royal City of Loches, and the Château de Villandry are adorned with sumptuous scenographies, each exploring a different theme.
A Unique Theme Per Castle
Each castle develops an original artistic theme for its Christmas decorations. The Royal Château of Amboise presented "Oh, beautiful fir trees!" with fir trees of endearing personalities, while the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau combines gourmandise and childhood tales with The Snow Queen and Alice in Wonderland. The Fortress of Chinon features a golden path created by floral artist Géraldine Leclerc. The Royal City of Loches explores the theme of Alice in Wonderland.
Enchanted Family Visits
The Noël au Pays des Châteaux program is designed for families. Storytelling tours for children aged 3 to 12 immerse the little ones in the world of Christmas tales. Gourmet tours lasting 1.5 hours for those over 7 years old combine heritage discovery with tasting festive dishes. "Inverted Tales" tours, created by author Esmé Planchon, offer a quirky and poetic reinterpretation of classic tales.
An Advantageous Multi-Castle Pass
A multi-castle pass system allows visitors to create their own itinerary: 3-castle pass, 4-castle pass, 5-castle pass, or 6-castle pass, with decreasing prices. This system encourages the discovery of multiple sites and allows visitors to fully enjoy the diversity of the proposed scenographies.
Amboise: The Beating Heart of the Event
The town of Amboise is the natural starting point for this enchanted journey, with three castles in its immediate vicinity: the Royal Château, the Château du Clos Lucé (Leonardo da Vinci's last home), and the Pagode de Chanteloup. The town itself is adorned with light decorations and offers a Christmas market that complements the festive experience.
Where does it take place — Noël au Pays des Châteaux
Noël au Pays des Châteaux in brief
History of Noël au Pays des Châteaux
Edition 2025 Nov 2025Other festivals near Amboise
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Published by Valentin Contard, festival listings writer. Reviewed, corrected and approved by Christophe Contard, editor-in-chief. .
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