Get ready for an enchanting immersion into history, enhanced by festive magic! The Forteresse royale de Chinon celebrates the world of fairies, inspired by medieval tales and folklore. Designed as a stroll through the heart of an enchanted forest, the visit reveals magical scenes and continues into the tour de l'Horloge with a photography exhibition dedicated to the Cottingley fairies.

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To discover (booking required):

• Christmas guided tour: every Saturday and Sunday from 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 at 3 pm, and every day during school holidays at 3 pm (duration: 50 minutes, full price: €15 / reduced: €13).

• Creative workshop "Woodland fairies" (from age 7): making fairies and elves out of plant materials. Mondays 21 and 28, Tuesdays 22 and 29, Thursdays 24 and 31 December at 11 am (duration: 50 minutes, child price: €13).

• Readings for toddlers (kamishibai): Wednesdays 2, 9 and 16 December, and Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays during school holidays. At 10:45 am (ages 2 to 4) and 11:30 am (ages 4 to 6). (duration: 30 minutes, child price: €7).

• Nocturnal roaming performance: poetic stroll with giant puppets by the Tan Elleil company, on Saturday 19 December (three 30-minute performances).

Prepare yourself for a poetic immersion in history, enhanced by the enchantment of the festive season! The Château de Langeais invites you to a delicate and musical Christmas. From room to room, carols and melodies resonate amidst unique decors created by Touraine artists, blending light, foliage, textiles and paper up to an enchanted forest nestled under the roof timbers.

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To discover:

• Riddle trail: an ongoing activity booklet to help a little elf gather six musical instruments and make the château sing during your visit.

• Pearl necklace show: on Tuesday 22 December at 11:30 am and 3 pm (booking required, capacity limited to 40 people).

• Elf-making workshop: on 21 and 29 December, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm then from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm (no booking required).

• Christmas night event: on Saturday 26 December from 6:30 pm to 10 pm (booking required). A sensational musical performance featuring the MCGA choir and musicians appearing at the windows and in front of the facade.

Awaken your taste buds and your eyes at the heart of a Renaissance jewel enhanced by the festive season! Azay-le-Rideau Castle places fine patisserie and gastronomy at the centre of its Christmas programme. Each room honours a festive delicacy through a refined, immersive and animated scenography, celebrating the savoir-faire of artisans of taste and the French art of living.

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To discover:

• Lecture by Loïc Bienassis: a one-hour immersion tracing the history of French patisserie from the Middle Ages to the present day, hosted by the columnist from "On va déguster". Saturday 28 November 2026 at 2:30 pm.

• Exceptional evening opening: on Saturday 12 December from 5 pm (closing at 10:30 pm) to explore the nocturnal decors with entertainment by the La Muse company (price: €16, free for under 18s, booking required).

• Storytelling session: gather for a tale in a cosy corner of the monument to listen to wonderful Christmas stories as a family. Tuesdays 22 and 23 December at 2:30 pm (duration: 1 hr, from age 3).

• Gourmet visits (from age 7): discover the history of the estate through the evolution of tastes and sweet treats. Mondays 21 and 28, Tuesdays 22 and 29, Wednesdays 23 and 30 December at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm; Thursdays 24 and 31 December at 2:30 pm (duration: 1 hr, prices: €19 adult / €8 child, booking required).

• Family visit "In the kitchen with Bertille" (from age 6): follow Lady Bertille behind the scenes to uncover 19th-century dining secrets. Mondays 21 and 28, Tuesdays 22 and 29, Wednesdays 23 and 30, Thursdays 24 and 31 December at 11:30 am (duration: 1 hr, prices: €16 adult / €8 child, booking required).

Let the botanical charm work its magic in the heart of winter! Villandry Castle invites nature within its walls for a warm and bucolic celebration. Animals and plant life take over each room to create decors that are by turns woodland-inspired and snow-dusted, with a unique theme this year: a magical vegetable garden devised by the forest creatures, brimming with vegetables and surprises.

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To discover (booking required):

• Show "La Plume bleue": 21, 22 and 23 December. A winter quest into the heart of the forest on the trail of the owner of a mysterious blue feather found in the park.

  • For ages 1-3 and 6-10: storytelling session meeting the animals of the forest and gardens in winter.

  • In addition for ages 6-10: introductory workshop on shadow puppetry, figurine handling and story creation.

Glissez-vous dans l'intimité d'un réveillon royal pas tout à fait comme les autres ! Profitant de l'absence de la Cour, les pensionnaires à plumes et à poils du Château royal d’Amboise prennent possession du logis pour préparer en secret leur propre fête de Noël. Des oiseaux chamarrés de la Reine Anne aux fauves, girafon, autruche, cerfs et petits rongeurs facétieux, chaque animal a façonné un décor surprenant pour vous accueillir en convive privilégié.

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À découvrir (sur réservation) :

• Balades aux chandelles spéciales Noël : les samedis 12 et 26 décembre, ainsi que le mardi 29 décembre. Une déambulation nocturne et intimiste à la lueur des bougies au cœur du logis royal.

  • Tarifs : 16,50 € adulte / 13,50 € étudiant / 11,50 € enfant (7-18 ans) / 7,50 € abonné.

  • Offre spéciale : gratuité accordée aux personnes prénommées Lucie ou Lucy pour la soirée du 12 décembre (fête de la Sainte-Lucie) !

Embark on a magical world tour above the Cher! Chenonceau Castle pays tribute to Christmas and traditions from across the globe through botanical creations by the Atelier Floral led by Jean-François Boucher (M.O.F.). The iconic Grand Gallery above the river turns into a Viennese ballroom, whilst the famous kitchens build bridges between India and its spices, Provence with its thirteen desserts and Alsace, echoing customs from Europe, the Americas, Asia or Iceland. 

Discover the Christmas Pass in the Land of Castles, by clicking here!

To discover:

• Guided tour of the castle with a lecturer: nocturnal discovery of the scenography at 7:00 pm on Saturdays 31 November, 5, 12, 19 December and 2 January. Mulled wine or hot chocolate included, with access to the musical and illuminated walk in the gardens until 11:00 pm (price: €45/person, booking required).

• Guided tour of the Christmas scenography: in the company of floral designer Jean-François Boucher, on Fridays 4 and 11 December at 10:00 am (price: €45/person, booking required).

• Christmas Masterclass: 18, 23 and 30 December at 10:00 am (price: €90/person, booking required).

• Evening event on Wednesday 23 December (from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm): demonstration by Jean-François Boucher, world songs by "Les voix buissonnières", refreshments and night walk in the gardens until 11:00 pm (booking required).

• Wine-tasting evening: an exceptional evening on Saturday 26 December at 8:00 pm with food and wine pairings to the sound of the harp (price: €165/person, booking required).

• Evening event on Wednesday 30 December (from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm): demonstration by Aurélie Fachin, refreshments and night stroll in the illuminated gardens until 11:00 pm (booking required).

• Gingerbread Christmas Duo: jazz standards and festive tunes performed by two vocalists, on Wednesdays 23 and 30 December 2026.

• Extended opening: prolonged access until 7:00 pm for the castle and 8:00 pm for the gardens (night walks) from 26 to 31 December.

Cross the threshold of a medieval fortress transformed by one of the most famous tales of our childhood! The Royal City of Loches invites you to dive into the timeless world of Beauty and the Beast. Right from the entrance of the royal lodgings, each room becomes a living tableau enhanced by a blanket of snow, the radiance of red roses and play of light: from the snow-covered staircase to the enchanting banquet and Belle's bedchamber, let yourself be swept away on a poetic and sensory journey.

Discover the Christmas PASS in the Land of Châteaux, by clicking here!

To discover (booking required — admission fee included: €15 / reduced: €13 / free for children under 7):

• Storytelling reading of "Beauty and the Beast" (families with children aged 3 to 12): in the royal lodgings, on Sundays 6 and 13 December, then every day from 19 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 at 11 am and 2:15 pm (duration: 40 min).

• Behind the scenes of Noël au Pays des Châteaux: uncover the secrets behind the creation and staging of the Beauty and the Beast tour. Saturday 5 December at 2:30 pm and Saturday 12 December at 10:30 am.

• Themed tour "A castle in winter" (all audiences, from age 12): discover daily life in a fortress during the Middle Ages in the cold season, between battling the winter chill and fireside activities in the keep of Loches. Wednesday 23 December at 11:00 am (duration: 1 hr).