Read more about Paris and Blois.
Blois is a charming town in the western part of the Loire Valley. The imposing castle dominates the city, its ornate interior gives an insight into the rich lives of long-dead French nobles. It was also the place for some tricks as were many of the castles in France. For the full flavor, don’t miss the sound and light show that flashes in the four buildings around the courtyard every night in the summer months.
Paris to Blois by train
Trains to Blois leave from Gare d’Austerlitz in Paris (85 quai Austerlitz, Paris 13th arrondissement) throughout the day. Trains go directly to Blois and take 1 hour and 22 minutes, or you can change in Orleans, which makes the journey around 1 hour and 45 minutes. The cost is 55 euros round trip.
Transport links to the Gare d’Austerlitz
- Subway
Line 10: Austerlitz to Boulogne Pont de St-Cloud
Line 5: Bobigny Pablo Picasso to Place d’Italie
Booking train travel in France
- From the US, Buy Tickets with Rail Europe
- From the UK, buy tickets with voyages-sncf
Paris to Blois by car
The distance from Paris to Blois is about 159 km (99 miles) and the journey takes around two to two and a half hours, depending on your speed.
Car rental
For information on renting a car under the leasing scheme, which is the cheapest way to rent a car if you are in France for more than 17 days, try the Renault Eurodrive buyback contract.
Compare car rental rates in Europe.
Buses / Coaches
There are very few long-distance buses in France between Paris and the main cities. The distances are long and the railways are relatively cheap. There is currently no bus service between Paris and Blois.
Driving directions from Paris to Blois
From central Paris, take the A3 / A6 Peripherique to Porte de Bercy / Charenton.
Follow the signs for Aéroport Orly / Lyon / Périphérique Interieur / Quai d’Ivry / Porte d’Italie and
take the Bd Périphérique. Take the exit on A6B towards A10 / Bordeaux / Nantes / Lyon / Évry / Aéroport Orly-Rungis
Take the signs for A10 / E5 Palaiseau / Étampes / Bordeaux-Nantes / Massy / Longjumeau
Take the signs for A71 / Toulouse / Clermont-Ferrand / Bordeaux / Orleans
Take the A10 / E5 to Orleans
Take E5 to Blois
Take exit 17 to Blois Center
Loire Valley connections
If you are here in Blois, try to see more of the area. The compact city is a great hub for upstream and downstream travel. If you like gardens, you will have many options here; Take a look at the Western Loire Valley Gardens guide. From late spring to October, the famous Garden Festival takes over the grounds of the Château de Chamont-sur-Loire; It is worth a day visit.
Blois al Châ teaux de Chamord, Cheverny and Beauregard by bus
TLC (Transports Loir-et-Cher) runs a round trip summer tourist service between the castles of Blois, Chambord, Cheverny and Beauregard. If you take this, you will also get a reduced entry price at each castle of between 1 and 2.50 euros, depending on the castle. Buses depart from the Blois train station at 9.25 and 11.28 am and from those destinations back to Blois. The last bus from Beauregard (the furthest castle) is at 6.23pm.
- FTA website
- Calendar
Getting from London to Paris
- By train (Eurostar)
Eurostar between London, Paris and Lille - By bus / coach Eurolines offers a cheap service from London, Gillingham, Canterbury, Folkestone and Dover to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Paris Gallieni. Six coaches a day; 2 all night; Travel time is 7 hours. The Eurolines stop is located at the Paris Gallieni bus station, 28 ave du General de Gaulle, right next to the Gallieni metro station, near Porte de Bagnolet (metro line 3, final stop).
Eurolines website