Things to do in Blois for self travelers

You could mistake the Château de Chaumont for being pulled straight out of Disneyland, except it was built 1,000 years ago to manage borders. After a turbulent history (it was dismantled and then rebuilt after a failed rebellion against King Louis XI), the grounds have bloomed into a horticultural dream. Art comes alive at the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, where permanent installations and seasonal offerings intermingle and leave you with a sense of reverie.

Spot koalas, kangaroos, manatees, giant pandas and over 6,000 other animals in France's number one zoo. With excellent shows and entertainment for the kids – plus pandas so fascinating you could stop and stare for hours – this dose of animal magic is a guaranteed awesome family day out. Explore the tropics inside of a massive 12,000m² equatorial dome with manatees, Komodo dragons and more. See the animals of South America, Asia and Africa, and enjoy a 360° view of the dome from up high.