First mentioned in the 6th century by Gregory of Tours, it was by the early Middle Ages seat of the powerful counts of Blois, from whom descended the Capetian kings of France. Joan of Arc set out from Blois in 1429 to raise the siege of Orléans

In 1498 Louis XII succeeded to the French throne, he had been born in the château, from his coronation until the end of the 16th century, Blois was almost a second capital of France.
Henri de Guise, hsa been plotting with Spain to take the throne. Henry III, fearing deposition, had Guise murdered at the château, December 23, 1588. The queen mother, Catherine de Médicis, died a few days later in a room just below. Marie de Médicis was imprisoned there by her son,Louis XII.

The château, begun as a feudal castle, displays splendid work of all the architectural periods from the 13th to the 17th century. The Francis I facade is pure Renaissance, and its extraordinary staircase spirals five stories upward in a sculptured octagonal case.

Video of Ride into Blois, Click Here

Slideshow of Blois. Click Here