In Chambord, Loir-et-Cher residents can visit the castle free of charge for a month in 2026

One month to rediscover five sites across the area

From Saturday 19 September to Sunday 18 October 2026, Loir-et-Cher residents can take part in the “A Day at the Castles” scheme. It provides free access to five emblematic sites in the department: Chambord Castle, the Templar Commandery of Arville and the three Sologne-themed houses. At Chambord, this edition combines free admission to the castle with specific booking requirements.

The scheme is intended for Loir-et-Cher residents who wish to visit or return to the estate during the operation. Chambord Castle is among the participating sites, alongside heritage and themed locations across the department. Visitors may choose to discover as many sites as they wish throughout the announced period.

Launched by the Loir-et-Cher department in 2017, the scheme returns in 2026. Across eight editions, it has enabled more than 270,000 Loir-et-Cher residents to rediscover the heritage treasures of their area and the Loire Valley. The department presents the initiative as an enjoyable, cultural and educational interlude, particularly for people who may feel removed from these places.

Free castle admission requires advance booking

At Chambord, entry to the castle will be free for participants who provide both proof of residence and a ticket booked in advance. Free admission is therefore not granted automatically on arrival: online booking is one of the mandatory conditions announced for benefiting from the invitation.

Each ticket is for one-time use and is valid only for the date selected when booking. No registration is possible on site. Visitors must also present their proof of residence at the entrance to confirm that they live in Loir-et-Cher.

The scheme does not apply to groups. A booking may include a maximum of five places, limited to two adults and three children. These rules govern free access to the castle and encourage families to plan their visit before arriving at the estate.

A wristband to collect opposite the castle

Registered Loir-et-Cher residents are asked to go to the welcome chalet opposite the castle, near the Autour du Puits food outlet. This is where they are identified with a wristband. This step complements advance booking and the proof-of-residence check required for the scheme.

The wristband identifies registered participants before they enjoy the estate and the activities covered by dedicated rates. This practical information is especially important for a scheme in which on-site registration is not allowed. Booking a ticket and allowing time to visit the welcome chalet are therefore two practical steps for planning the visit.

Reduced prices for guided tours and the HistoPad

Beyond free admission to the castle, Chambord offers preferential rates on several visiting options. The Essential castle tour falls from 7 euros to 4 euros for Loir-et-Cher residents. The Discovery tour is priced at 6 euros instead of 9 euros, while the in-depth tour is offered at 12 euros instead of 15 euros.

The HistoPad is also among the activities with a dedicated rate. It costs 5 euros for Loir-et-Cher residents, compared with 6.50 euros at the full rate. The family HistoPad package is offered at 14 euros instead of 17 euros, extending the benefit to an offer designed for family visits.

The Chambord website also presents several visiting formats currently available, including a one-hour Essential guided tour, a one-and-a-half-hour Discovery tour with access to closed areas, and a three-hour in-depth tour. These formats are separate from castle admission and are among the services for which the scheme provides special rates.

Show, activity booklets and transport around the estate

The equestrian show is included among the offers with preferential rates. The full rate falls from 18 euros to 14.50 euros, and the reduced rate from 14.50 euros to 12 euros. Chambord also announces a new equestrian show, “Chambord, history on horseback”, retracing the castle’s epic through the centuries with ten horses and eight riders.

The discovery booklets also benefit from a reduction. The Cassandre castle booklet costs 3 euros instead of 5 euros, as does the Cassandre gardens booklet. Visitors can therefore combine a visit to the castle or its gardens with materials expressly included in the offer for department residents.

To explore the estate in another way, electric cart hire falls from 29 euros to 25 euros, while boat hire falls from 22 euros to 19 euros. These reductions are in addition to free castle admission and the other offers announced, allowing participants to enjoy the site and its activities more fully.

Shop, wines and opening hours to plan for

The scheme also provides a 15% reduction on a selection of Chambord wines, as well as 5% off all shop products. These benefits complement the reductions available for guided tours, visiting tools, the equestrian show, discovery booklets and estate rentals.

The castle is open every day of the year except 1 January and 25 December. Between 28 March and 25 October, the stated opening hours are 9 am to 6 pm, covering most of the scheme scheduled from 19 September to 18 October. Last admission is set for half an hour before the castle closes.

The formal French gardens close 30 minutes before the castle, while the park and grounds around the castle remain freely accessible every day throughout the year. To benefit from the “A Day at the Castles” invitation, Loir-et-Cher residents must nevertheless book their tickets online and bring the proof of residence required at the entrance.