Loire Valley Castles: Seven Enchanting Places to Celebrate Christmas


Forteresse Royale de Chinon. Photo : adttouraine-coutand

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“Noël au Pays des Châteaux” réunira cette année les châteaux d’Amboise, d’Azay-le-Rideau, de Chenonceau, de Chinon, de Langeais, de Loches et de Villandry.

Pour cette édition anniversaire, chaque site proposera une mise en scène spécifique, avec notamment des décors végétaux, des illuminations, des installations musicales ou encore des évocations de contes et de traditions de Noël.


Sept châteaux, sept ambiances de Noël

At Villandry, the theme “Christmas, nature invites itself to the castle” will highlight botanical decorations and Christmas traditions.

Azay-le-Rideau proposera “Christmas at the Table of the Castles”, around the arts of the table and gastronomy.


At Chenonceau, “Christmas Without Borders” s’intéressera aux traditions de Noël dans différents pays.

Chinon misera sur “Christmas in the Land of the Fairies“, Amboise sur “Royal Christmas with Animals“, Langeais sur “Musical and Fairy-tale Christmas” et Loches sur “Beauty and the Beast“.

Plusieurs sites proposeront également des nocturnes, les 5, 11, 12, 19, 23, 26 et 29 décembre, selon les châteaux.

To read: Cher: itinerary from Chenonceau to Mennetou-sur-Cher

Pour marquer les 10 ans de l’événement, un “Pass Noël au Pays des Châteaux” permettra par ailleurs de bénéficier de tarifs avantageux à partir de trois entrées.

Le pass sera valable pendant toute la durée de l’événement.

Halloween: Top 20 Haunted Places to Visit in France

Every October 31, for Halloween, it’s the same refrain: a parade of the most “beautiful” costumes, a candy hunt, a horror film, and for the bravest, an adrenaline shot in a place nicknamed “haunted.” An habit that did not escape the national vacation rental search engine Likibu, which, for the occasion, unveiled its list of the most haunted locations in France.

To do this, the site analyzed data collected from October 19 to 24, 2023. The estimated number of queries corresponds to searches conducted monthly on Google by Internet users.

Which haunted places are the most searched in France?

  1. Catacombs of Paris (Île-de-France), with 157,830 searches
  2. Padirac Abyss (Lot), with 150,410 searches
  3. Brocéliande Forest (Ille-et-Vilaine), with 75,850 searches
  4. Lake Paladru (Isère), with 54,350 searches
  5. Fougeret Castle (Vienne), with 34,860 searches
  6. Carnac Menhirs (Morbihan), with 34,030 searches
  7. Commarque Castle (Dordogne), with 21,520 searches
  8. Trepassers’ Bay (Finistère), with 18,110 searches
  9. Rennes-le-Château (Aude), with 17,840 searches
  10. Brissac Castle (Maine-et-Loire), with 16,830 searches
  11. Bonaguil Castle (), with 13,260 searches
  12. Tiffauges Castle (Vendée), with 12,190 searches
  13. Plessis-Bourré Castle (Maine-et-Loire), with 12,060 searches
  14. Montségur Castle (Ariège), with 10,900 searches
  15. Combourg Castle (Combourg), with 10,410 searches
  16. Veauce Castle (Veauce), with 7,980 searches
  17. Reignac Iron Fortress (Tursac), with 6,690 searches
  18. Puymartin Castle (Marquay), with 6,640 searches
  19. Gisors Castle (Gisors), with 5,130 searches
  20. Carrouges Castle (Carrouges), with 4,820 searches

Haunted castles, favorite places for Halloween

With 75,850 monthly searches, the historical Broceliande Forest reappears in the spotlight. Inspire for many films or fairy tales, it invites walkers to trace the steps of the fairies Viviane or Morgan, or to head toward Comper Castle, and perhaps, to pull Excalibur from its stone.

But what stands out most from this ranking is the French enthusiasm for haunted castles. Among the most favored castles, Fougeret Castle (34,860 monthly searches) is extolled as the “hauntedest place in France” and cherished by all paranormal and supernatural enthusiasts.

With 21,520 monthly searches, Commarque Castle also stirs curiosity among the French. Legend has it that it is inhabited by the ghost of the horse belonging to the lover of the daughter of the Count of Commarque (are you following?). During the Hundred Years’ War, the lord supposedly laid a trap for the beloved of his daughter, who died within the castle walls, sealing the fate of the horse’s phantom, which has appeared there since, on every full moon.

Another castle, another tale: with Brissac Castle (16,830 monthly searches), nicknamed the “giant of the Loire Valley.” Those who visit the site venture into the lair of the Green Lady, Charlotte of Valois, her true name, who was killed by her husband in 1477 after the discovery of her infidelity. Since then, she is said to haunt the castle’s walls day and night…

Forest, Coast, and Mountain: 3 Places to Discover Wild Foraging

The Kings of Bordelais

Fifteen kilometers northwest of Bordeaux, the Taillan-Médoc Forest is probably one of the most accessible spots for Sunday foragers. Beyond the many common edible woodland plants (mint, wild garlic, blackberries), the real stars here are the mushrooms. Shaggy inkcaps, chanterelles, summer boletes, and black trumpets follow one another from spring to autumn. And with 128 hectares of playground, even a casual passerby has a chance.

Top 10 Must-Visit Places in Arles

Table of Contents


  • Discover the Arles Arenas

  • Stroll through the historic center

  • Explore the Réattu Museum

  • Discover the Camargue Natural Park

  • Visit the Ancient Theatre of Arles

  • Discover the Alyscamps district

  • Marvel at the Van Gogh Space

  • Taste Gardianne de Taureau

  • Visit Montmajour Abbey

  • Discover the Arles Antique Departmental Museum

Located in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region, Arles is the largest commune in France by area, spanning over more than 75,893 hectares. A city of history, culture and natural landscapes, Arles has no shortage of assets to charm its visitors.

Discover the Arles Arenas

Situated in the heart of Arles’ city center, the arenas are the city’s must-see attraction. Built around 80 CE, these arenas now host numerous performances throughout the year, including Easter ferias. Surrounding shops and restaurants know how to delight visitors.

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Stroll through the historic center

In Arles, enjoy the historic center and don’t hesitate to wander the cobbled streets. Shops and restaurants enliven the downtown area where life is pleasant and where Camargue specialties are to be tasted.

> If you want to discover in pictures the 10 things to do in Arles, head to our slideshow!

Explore the Réattu Museum

As the Fine Arts Museum of the city of Arles, the Réattu Museum will appeal to lovers of architecture and artworks. Built along the bend of the Grand Rhône, the Réattu Museum offers a unique view to contemplate. The museum houses a beautiful collection by painter Jacques Réattu, but also works by Vincent van Gogh, as well as various photography and sculpture exhibitions.

Discover the Camargue Natural Park

Created on September 25, 1970, the Camargue Natural Park is a site of European importance where one can discover nearly 276 species of birds. A natural space welcoming migratory birds, the park sees around 122,000 birds each year. Within the Camargue Natural Park, visitors can also discover the numerous pink flamingos, the Camargue salt flats, not to mention the Vaccarès pond, covering 13,117 hectares and classified as a protected area.

Visit the Ancient Theatre of Arles

Built under the reign of Emperor Augustus, the Ancient Theatre of Arles is among the earliest theatres of the Roman world. Classified as a historical monument since 1840, the Ancient Theatre of Arles draws visitors, though only two columns have survived out of the initial hundred, not to mention the splendor of the cavea ruins. Today, the theatre is open for visits and hosts numerous festivities during the summer.

Discover the Alyscamps district

Meaning Champs-Elysées in Provençal, the Alyscamps district is full of Gallo-Roman remains including Saint-Honorat Church and the Chapel of the Porcelets. The Alyscamps stroll is equally pleasant. The district has even been immortalized several times by painters Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin.

Marvel at the Van Gogh Space

This expansive quadrilateral, formerly the Hôtel-Dieu, will become one of your favorite places in Arles. You will especially enjoy its flowering gardens and its cultural space that hosts exhibitions and other events through the Vincent Van Gogh Foundation. The Van Gogh Space also welcomes students from Aix-Marseille University and hosts numerous exhibitions, particularly during the Rencontres de la Photographie held this year from July 4 to September 26.

Taste Gardianne de Taureau

While visiting Arles, don’t miss sampling the local specialties. Take advantage of the many restaurants in the historic center to savor the famous Gardianne de Taureau. Among other Arles culinary specialties are fougasse, the Arlesian soup, Camargue rice, and raïto sauce.

Visit Montmajour Abbey

On the outskirts of the city of Arles, Montmajour Abbey bears nearly eight centuries of history and Provençal architecture thanks to its monuments from various eras. Visitors appreciate the charms of Hermitage Saint-Pierre, the Chapel Sainte-Croix in a clover shape, the Pons de l’Orme tower from the 14th century, not forgetting the Saint-Maur Monastery, dating from the 18th century.

Discover the Arles Antique Departmental Museum

Founded in 1995, the Arles Antique Departmental Museum aims to bring together all of Arles’ archaeological collections. From Prehistory to late Antiquity, this museum holds a diverse and history-rich collection. At the heart of the museum, also discover the Hortus garden, Roman-inspired, which delights children. A perfect family outing.

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