THE LOIRE - France 2014 - page 571

Orientation to Blois
Unlike most other Loire châteaux, Blois' Château Royal sits right in the city center, with
no forest, pond, moat, or river to call its own. It's an easy walk from the train station, near
ample underground parking, and just above the TI. Below the château, Place Louis XII
marks the hub of traffic-free Blois, with cafés and shops lining its perimeter. Rue du Com-
merce, leading upfromthe river,isBlois' primary shoppingstreet. Atmospheric cafés and
restaurants hide in the medieval tangle of lanes below St. Louis Cathedral and around St.
NicholasChurch.BloiswasheavilybombedinWorldWarII,leavingmuchoftheoldtown
in ruins, but the château survived. Today, the city largely ignores its river and celebrates
Saturdays with a great market (until about 13:00) centered on Place Louis XII. Sundays
are quiet in Blois.
Arrival in Blois
Train travelers can walk 10 minutes straight out of the station down Avenue du Dr. Jean
Laigret to the TI and château (follow small brown Château signs), or take a two-minute
taxi from in front of the station. Although there's no bag check at the station, you can
use the château's large, free lockers if you pay for admission—so you can drop off your
luggage, visit the château and the town, and even take an excursion or taxi tour to Cham-
bord and Cheverny (provided you're back in Blois to reclaim your bag before the château
closes).
Drivers follow Centre-Ville and Château signs (metered parking along Avenue du
Dr. Jean Laigret or inside at Parking du Château—first 30 minutes free, then about €2/2.5
hours).
Tourist Information
The cramped TI is across from the château entrance. They sell discounted tickets to
many châteaux and offer a guest computer and pay Wi-Fi (daily April-Sept 9:00-19:00,
Oct-March 10:00-17:00, 23 Place du Château, tel. [phone],
www.bloispaysdechambord.com ) . You can explore the center of Blois by using the TI's
handy walking-tour brochure (€2, brown and purple routes are best), or just follow my
suggested routebelow(nocharge).TheTIalsohasinformation onbikerentals androutes.
Helpful Hints
Local Guide: Fabrice Maret lives in Blois and is a skilled teacher (see here for details).
Laundry: A self-service launderette is at 6 Rue St. Lubin (daily from 7:00 until late).