Musée des Beaux-Arts de Blois

The Royal Château de Blois is one of the great residences of the Loire valley, and the fine arts museum occupies part of it, on the first floor of the Louis XII wing. The wing itself is a handsome piece of late Gothic architecture in red brick and pale stone, built at the end of the fifteenth century and decorated with the porcupine emblem of Louis XII, whose equestrian statue stands above the entrance. Going to the museum therefore means seeing a part of the château that many visitors pass quickly, and it adds a second layer to the visit.

The château itself is a short course in French architecture. Its wings represent different periods, from the Gothic and early Renaissance to the classical, and the François I wing, with its celebrated open spiral staircase, is the best known. Blois was a favoured royal residence in the sixteenth century, and several kings of France lived and governed here. It was also the site of dramatic events, including the assassination of the Duke of Guise in 1588 on the orders of Henri III, which took place in the royal apartments. In the nineteenth century the architect Félix Duban led a major restoration that gave the château much of its present appearance.

The museum was established in the mid-nineteenth century and has been housed in the Louis XII wing since around 1869. It displays a collection of paintings, sculptures and other works of art, presented thematically rather than in strict chronological order, so that rooms can follow subjects such as portraits, religious painting and historical scenes. The collections are intended to complement the history of the monarchy told in the neighbouring apartments, and they include portraits of kings, courtiers and personalities connected with the Loire valley. It is a calm museum of moderate size that a visitor can explore in an hour or less, and it is included with the château ticket.

Blois offers other points of interest. The Cathédrale Saint-Louis stands on the hill above the Loire, and the old streets around it lead down to the river and the stone bridge. The Maison de la Magie, dedicated to the illusionist Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin who was born in Blois, is a popular family stop. The Jardin des Plantes and the Mémorial de la France Combattante and the Musée de la Nature are other places to include in a longer stay. The Loire valley châteaux of Chambord and Chaumont-sur-Loire are within easy reach by car.

The museum suits those who enjoy seeing art in a historic building, families combining the château with a quieter indoor stop and anyone interested in French royal history. It is best visited after the main apartments, when you have the background in mind, and you should check the château's schedule for opening arrangements.