Chambord Castle is located in the Loire Valley, in central France’s Loir-et-Cher department. It sits within the vast Domaine national de Chambord, Europe’s largest enclosed forest park, roughly 15 km east of Blois and around 180 km southwest of Paris.
Address: 41250 Chambord, France, within the National Estate of Chambord
Train line from Paris Austerlitz to Blois-Chambord station
Travel time: 1.5 to 2 hours on a direct TER (regional) train.
Note: Trains run several times a day and are operated by SNCF. This is the closest station to the castle.
From Blois to the castle, take the shuttle service—Navette Chambord which operates seasonally from April—early November.
Travel time: 25–30 minutes
Note: Tickets can be purchased on board or combined with your train fare when booking through SNCF.
BlaBlaCar Bus offers a direct service from Paris to Bercy-Seine Bus Station to Chambord, operating on all days, with 6 buses per day.
Travel time: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
One of the easiest ways is to reach Chenonceau’s location and enjoy a guided tour of the castle. Guided tours are largely popular for multiple reasons—logistics and itineraries are taken care of, the tour is led by a local expert, a single ticket gives you access to two popular Loire Valley castles, and includes interesting upgrades.
Transport by: Air-conditioned minivan
Total duration: 9—11 hours
Castles covered: Chambord and Chenonceau Castles
Upgrades: Traditional lunch in a privately-owned castle or wine tasting in the underground cellars of Chenonceau Castle.
Chambord Castle is accessible via the Loire à Vélo cycling route, which offers scenic paths through the Loire Valley. The estate provides a 25 km cycle route, La Grande Promenade, around the castle, allowing visitors to explore the surrounding park and forest.
Note: Loire à Vélo can be accessed from Blois. It is well-marked with signs and directly leads to the castle.
While there is no direct boat access to the castle, the nearby Loire River offers opportunities for river cruises. Some tour operators offer packages that include boat rides along the Loire, often combined with visits to nearby castles, including Chambord.
It’s a long-distance bike trail along the Loire River, connecting towns and castles like Blois, Amboise, Chambord, Chenonceau, and Saumur—ideal for exploring the Loire Valley on two wheels.
The nearest airport is Tours Val de Loire Airport, about 1 hour away by car. For international flights, Paris-Orly or Charles de Gaulle Airport is more convenient.
The roads are well-maintained and signposted, especially from Blois, Mer, and exits on the A10 motorway.
Partly. Trains to Blois-Chambord run year-round, but the shuttle bus to the castle only operates seasonally (April–early November). Outside that period, you’ll need a taxi or rental car.
Yes, taxis are available outside the station. The ride takes about 25 minutes, but it’s smart to book ahead, especially in the low season.
Yes, bike rentals are available on-site. They are charged by the hour, and prices start at €7 for an adult and €4 for children.
Yes, it is a doable day trip from Paris and a great one too—about 2 hours by car or train + shuttle.
Yes, these tours include round-trip transfers, combined with a visit to Chenonceau Castle. Upgrades can include a traditional lunch or wine tasting at a local winery.