Loire Valley Chateau Visits

Didn't someone ask this exact question about two weeks ago/ Anyways, yes, you can walk around the outside of Chambord without paying. I don't know about Cheverny. You have to pay to get anywhere near Chenonceaux.

From waht I recall, you can walk by Cheverny outside the gates, but I think you need to pay to get onto the grounds. And yes, I don't think you can even get close enough to glimpse Chenonceau without paying. But it is magnificent and worth a stop. Then you can also go to Chambord and just stroll around the grounds and admire it from all sides.

You need a ticket to get behind the brick wall around Cheverny or into the woods surrounding Chenonceau, can't see either from the road. You can see the outside of Blois and Amboise from the streets nearby. I think you can see Azay-le-Rideau from the road.

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. We were planning on spending the late afternoon and early evening touring inside and outside of Chenonceau. I'm sure strolling around Chambord will be fantastic! Thank you again.
Earle

Earle, I would recommend researching the Chateaux and picking the ones that you want to see. It's worth the money to visit them. A few years ago I stayed in Amboise and really enjoyed the tours of that I went on. I also toured the Chateau in town and the Leonardo DaVinci House which was very interesting. Lastly, I went to Chinon and then went to Fontevraud Abbey where Richard the Lionheart and Eleanor of Aquitaine are buried. It's heavily restored, but quite interesting. At least one of Dorothy Dunnett's Francis Lymond books takes place in the Loire River Valley. I've been meaning to reread it, but haven't yet. ; ) Pam

It's worth spending the time going inside Chambord, going up to the roof, seeing the unusual staircase and other architectural features.