The Châteaux
Of the loire

A masterpiece of the French Renaissance in the heart of the Loire Valley, the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau is an iconic 16th-century monument commissioned by Gilles Berthelot, treasurer to Francis I. With a refinement rarely equaled and confirmed over the centuries, this influential man and his wife, Philippe Lesbahy, built a remarkably modern edifice for its time upon the foundations of an old medieval structure. Azay-le-Rideau is a château whose history has been shaped by successive owners and which today shines as one of the must-see attractions of the Loire Valley. The elegant main building of this monument is a […]

Overlooking the Indre and Loire rivers, Ussé stands majestically like a fairytale castle. Its history begins long before the construction of the current structure, under the impetus of Gelduin I, who built the first stronghold more than a millennium ago. A new, more solid and sumptuous building was constructed from the second half of the 15th century onwards by Jean V de Bueil, victor of the Hundred Years' War and captain of King Charles VII. The elegance and refinement of the Renaissance soon further embellished the Château d'Ussé. Over the centuries, […]

The castle and Hôtel-Dieu of Baugé, now managed by the town, are among the heritage treasures of this thousand-year-old town, designated a "Most Beautiful Detour in France" and a "Small Town of Character." Known for his numerous architectural achievements, King René, Duke of Anjou, had the castle built in the 15th century to […]

Among all the Loire Valley châteaux, Beaugency stands out with its unique offering: here, history meets light in an unprecedented immersive experience. Much more than a château, it's a sensory playground where you learn while having fun, where you capture, explore, and immerse yourself in light. Between digital art and heritage, experience […]

Beauregard Castle, a former hunting lodge of Francis I, is a must-see for history buffs. It houses the renowned "Portrait Gallery" and its 327 illustrious figures, the largest collection of historical portraits in Europe. Inhabited by the same family since 1926, Beauregard has continually […]

Listed as a historical monument and located ten kilometers from Saumur, the Château de Brézé is a unique monument in terms of its remarkably well-preserved troglodytic network, its richly furnished rooms, and its elaborate neo-Gothic architecture. The existence of a castle on this land is attested as early as 1063, the date […]

Rising majestically from the lawns of a vast landscaped park, the Château de Brissac truly deserves its nickname, the "Giant of the Loire Valley." The ancestral home of the Dukes of Brissac for over half a millennium, this monument is striking for the originality of its architecture: […]

In the heart of the Sologne region, the Château de Chambord has been dazzling visitors for over five hundred years. A true architectural masterpiece, Chambord is the emblem of the French Renaissance throughout the world. A testament to royal power, but also an evocation of an ideal city, the monument remains an enigma that continues to reveal its secrets.

Nestled on the edge of the Orléans forest, the Château de Chamerolles is a magnificent Renaissance château that retains its medieval heritage. It was built between 1500 and 1530 on the site of a former medieval fortress by Lancelot du Lac, chamberlain to King Louis XII and Governor of Orléans. He wished to transform the old medieval structure into a true pleasure palace, reflecting the architectural fashion of the time. With its polychrome brickwork and open gallery, the Château de Chamerolles draws inspiration from the Louis XII wing of the royal Château de Blois. It retains its medieval moat and its layout […]

In Touraine, nestled in the heart of a vast wooded area, the Château de Champchevrier has been inhabited by the same family since 1728. Renowned for its game-rich grounds, Kings Louis XI and, even more so, Louis XIII came to hunt on these lands, where the tradition of hunting with hounds remains vibrant today. Rebuilt during the Renaissance and then embellished in the 18th century, Champchevrier is both a remarkable Historic Monument and a lively family château where each generation has passed on a love and respect for heritage. The château's history begins in the 11th century when the first building was erected by Hugues […]

At the gateway to the Loir Valley, coming from Paris, between Chartres and Blois, the Château de Châteaudun raises its proud and imposing silhouette to the eyes of the visitor approaching it from the north. Owned by Jean, bastard of Orléans, Count of Dunois and companion of Joan of Arc, it was a formidable fortress before becoming […]

Its arches gracefully span the Cher River. Cherished by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici, the Château de Chenonceau remains the most visited castle in France after Versailles. Exquisitely furnished (ah, those kitchens!), this 16th-century château can be explored with an iPod. You'll be captivated by the gardens planted on either side of the keep… and by the charming village, whose name is spelled with an "x"! New: The Château de Chenonceau tour is available in 11 languages ​​on the App Store, and the château gardens are now available on Google Street View.

Built in a classical style, the Château de Cherveny has belonged to the same family for over six centuries, the Huraults, financiers and officers in the service of several kings of France. The current château was built around 1625 by Henri, son of Philippe Hurault, and his wife Marguerite Gaillard de la Morinière, who launched […]

Owned by the municipality of Bessé-sur-Braye since 1978, the Château de Courtanvaux is located on the border of the Sarthe and Loir-et-Cher departments, at the edge of the Perche Sarthois region. This historic monument is nestled in the heart of a 68-hectare estate comprising woods, gardens, landscaped parkland, and ponds. The Château de Courtanvaux offers a vantage point […]

Located in the heart of the Loire Valley, the Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre, built at the end of the 15th century, is the epitome of the ideal fortified castle with its keep, its machicolated curtain wall, and its fortified postern gate. Constructed by Pierre de Refuge and modified by Jean de Villebresme around 1520, the castle acquired its definitive appearance in […]

Home to two of the most beautiful galleries in France, the Château de Gizeux is a true treasure of the Loire Valley, thanks to its rich history and the many activities and events that bring it to life today. The oldest parts of the château recall the family of the poet Joachim du Bellay, who owned Gizeux for 350 years. During these three centuries, the Du Bellay family made numerous alterations to the building, transforming it from medieval austerity to Renaissance charm. Among the château's many rooms, two are particularly remarkable: the François I Gallery […]

On the outskirts of Nantes, the Château de Goulaine has been the residence of the same family for a millennium. This Renaissance monument in the Loire Valley is also a precious testament to the architectural richness of the 17th century, as evidenced by its exquisitely decorated salons. From the 15th-century kitchen to the bedroom of King Louis […]

In the heart of Touraine, nestled between the white tufa stone and the ever-changing green of the Indre River, the Château de l'Islette stands out as a living monument of the 21st century, a testament to history and also the home of its current owners. This château, which Camille Claudel and Rodin frequented, invites visitors to be swept away by the romantic charm of the Indre Valley. A long, rectangular, three-story main building flanked by two imposing towers, the Château de l'Islette was built at the behest of René de […]

In the heart of the Sologne region, discover the Château de la Bussière and its fascinating fishing museum. Its remarkable collection of objects and works of art will allow you to discover the fishing techniques of our ancestors, through the centuries, in ponds and rivers. A whole world unfolds as you visit the various furnished rooms of this family château, rebuilt in the 17th century. The first traces of the château date back to the 12th century. At that time, La Bussière was a true fortified castle, complete with ramparts, a moat, and a drawbridge. In the 17th century, after the ravages of […]

Just 18km south of Orléans, history awaits! At the Château Escape Game, a new activity awaits you each season: solve a murder mystery, escape from an escape room, hunt for Easter eggs, challenge yourself on the Adventure Course, encounter ghosts, save Santa Claus… In this 17th-century private residence, inhabited for over 350 years, you'll become the main characters of your visit. Experience "Château Life" here with family or friends – will you try the Château Escape Game adventure?

A small gem in the western Loire Valley, the Château de la Lorie is a monument characterized by the multiplicity of its architectural styles despite its aesthetic unity and symmetry. Successive owners, with consistently refined taste, have been careful never to alter the original architectural plan of the château despite the additions […]

On the border between Anjou and Touraine, Langeais boasts two exceptional castles overlooking the Loire River: the tower of Fulk Nerra and the castle of Louis XI. The former is notable for being the oldest keep in France, while the latter presents a dual character, medieval on the town side and Renaissance-inspired on the courtyard side. Around the year 1000, Fulk Nerra conquered Langeais and founded a powerful fortress, long contested between the Counts of Anjou and those of Blois. Along with the rest of Touraine, the stronghold ultimately remained in the hands of the House of Anjou and later the Plantagenet Empire […]

Located in Mayenne, the fortified castle of Lassay was built in the 15th century on land steeped in legend. It was in Lassay that Saint Fraimbault, the great 6th-century evangelist who inspired Chrétien de Troyes' character Lancelot of the Lake, was buried. Unlike most medieval fortresses, which were often abandoned, dismantled, or […]

In Mayenne, the original fortress of Guy de Laval has stood the test of time and invites visitors to discover its history. It was at the beginning of the 11th century that Guy de Dénéré built his motte-and-bailey castle on a rocky spur overlooking the Mayenne River. The first earth and timber structure was superseded […]

The writer Henri de Bornier described the Maulne as "a small, tranquil river where happy people and honest women live." When one glimpses the Château de Marcilly and its verdant setting, no one can doubt him; nestled at the end of a beautiful vista, it overlooks the valley and the village that bears its name. Charles Fouquet, Treasurer of France in Tours, purchased the château from the Sennetère family in 1608. Benefiting from his position and his membership in an illustrious noble family, he had the entire structure rebuilt, drawing inspiration from the work of the renowned architect Jacques Androuet […]

Located in the heart of the vineyards, discover the Château de Menetou-Salon, formerly the castle of Jacques Cœur, Grand Treasurer to King Charles VII, and its evolution through the centuries. This sumptuous residence, fully furnished and decorated with exquisite refinement, showcases a unique neo-Gothic style developed by the renowned architect Paul-Ernest Sanson. A visit to the […]

North of Blois, 3 km from Vendôme, the Château de Meslay is an elegant Regency-style residence. It was built in the 18th century by Jean-François de la Porte, who distinguished himself as a tax farmer and President of the Committee of Funds. This close associate of Cardinal de Fleury undertook a colossal construction project for his Château de Meslay and its outbuildings, which lasted three years, from 1732 to 1735, based on plans by the architect Jules Michel Hardouin, nephew of the famous Hardouin-Mansart. Indeed, Jean-François de la Porte even went so far as to relocate the […]

In Anjou, the Château de Montgeoffroy is a true architectural gem of the 18th century. A model of balance and harmony, it alone symbolizes the chic and elegance of the French art of living. The Château de Montgeoffroy has preserved its soul thanks to its descendants who still live there and today open their doors to you […]

Located on the border of the Beauce and Perche regions, the Château de Montigny-le-Gannelon is a magnificent Renaissance residence that unfolds its silhouette on the heights overlooking the Loir Valley. Its history, however, is much older, as the existence of an initial fortress is mentioned in the Carolingian era, then again in the 10th and 11th centuries. […]

In the heart of the Perche Sarthois region, between Chartres and Le Mans, the Château de Montmirail overlooks the charming village of the same name. This 15th-century castle is distinguished by its rich architecture, bearing the imprint of each era in a beautiful blend of styles. The Château de Montmirail never fails to amaze its visitors with its excellent […]

In the heart of Touraine, discover a private and characterful château overlooking a verdant valley. A self-guided audio tour will immerse you in the family life of the château's owners, through richly furnished rooms: from the dining room to the king's bedroom, including the exceptional kitchen equipped with over 150 copper elements. The outbuildings reveal the family's passion for horses and hunting through the stables, tack rooms, horse-drawn carriages, paintings by artists, and Hermès scarves. Embark on a surprising and unforgettable visit to this intimate château, […]

Located in one of the most beautiful villages in France, the Château de Montrésor boasts over a thousand years of history. Within its fortress walls, you will discover a Renaissance residence decorated and furnished by Count Xavier Branicki, a friend and financial advisor to Napoleon III. This château offers a small piece of Poland amidst the Loire Valley châteaux. The 19th century truly marked the renaissance of the Château de Montrésor. In 1849, the château was purchased by a Polish immigrant, Count Branicki. After fleeing Poland, he settled in France in 1848 and became an important figure during the Second World War.