Castles

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.