Can you visit the former bishop's palace in Blois?

The building serves as the town hall; only certain parts such as the gardens and the main courtyard can be visited freely.

Who built the bishop's palace in Blois?

Royal architect Jacques V Gabriel, in the early 18th century, for the first bishop of Blois.

Why did the bishop's palace become the town hall?

After the former town hall was destroyed in the June 1940 bombings, municipal services were moved into the former bishop's palace.

What is there to see in the gardens of the former bishop's palace?

Terraces planted with lime and chestnut trees overlooking the Loire, along with a small rotunda with a slate dome.

Ancien évêché

Blois

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Where: Blois

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Visite guidée à la table de ChambordSat, Nov 14 · château de Chambord14 km

Ancien évêché stands in Blois (Loir-et-Cher), in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. The building is listed as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: first quarter of the 18th century). Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

In Blois, the present town hall occupies the former bishop's palace, built in the early 18th century by architect Jacques V Gabriel for the city's first bishop. The building overlooks the Loire valley from its tiered terraces, its courtyard facade marked by a pediment bearing the bishop's coat of arms, while the south facade opens onto the gardens. A small rotunda with a slate dome, dating from the Louis XVI period, stands at the end of the terrace.

Written from Hôtel de Ville, Blois

What to know

The building today houses the offices of Blois town hall, which limits the visit to the parts open to the public.
The terraced gardens, planted with lime and chestnut trees, can be walked through freely and offer views over the Loire.
The wedding hall, formerly an Italian-style salon, retains a notable faux-marble decor.
Access is on foot from the center of Blois, behind the Saint-Louis cathedral.
The whole site has been listed as a historic monument since 1930, including the main courtyard, terraces and rotunda.

Practical information

Opening hours

Ouverts de 8h à la tombée de la nuit
durant la saison estivale (du 8 mai au 30 septembre), la roseraie est ouverte de 8h à 18h30
du 15 mai au 30 septembre, la roseraie est ouverte du lundi au vendredi de 11h à 18h30, weekends et jours fériés de 14h à 18h30

Visit duration: Not verified
Wheelchair access: Not verified
Dogs: Not verified
Parking: Not verified

On site

Food and drink
Child-friendly

Where this château is

Blois · Loir-et-Cher · Centre-Val de Loire

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

9 Pl. Saint-Louis, 41000 Blois

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Château phone number

+33 2 54 44 50 50

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4.5 / 5from 666 Google reviews

Heritage status: Listed historic monument (classé); Mérimée record PA00098346
Period of construction: first quarter of the 18th century

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Frequently asked

Can you visit the former bishop's palace in Blois?: The building serves as the town hall; only certain parts such as the gardens and the main courtyard can be visited freely.
Who built the bishop's palace in Blois?: Royal architect Jacques V Gabriel, in the early 18th century, for the first bishop of Blois.
Why did the bishop's palace become the town hall?: After the former town hall was destroyed in the June 1940 bombings, municipal services were moved into the former bishop's palace.
What is there to see in the gardens of the former bishop's palace?: Terraces planted with lime and chestnut trees overlooking the Loire, along with a small rotunda with a slate dome.