AZAY-LE-RIDEAU CASTLE

Nestled on stilts in the heart of an island on the Indre River, the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, erected between 1518 and 1527, has been restored to its architectural splendor, perfectly representing the new Renaissance ideal. A must-see among the jewels of the Loire Valley castles, Azay-le-Rideau, though modest in size (for a castle of its era), enchants visitors from all over the world. Acquired by the State in 1905, it has been listed as a Monument Historique since 1914. Its turrets and neo-Renaissance façade, mirrored in the Indre River, reveal a romantic, bucolic spirit, magnificently evoked by Balzac in his novel Le Lys dans la vallée: "Climbing up a ridge, I first admired the Château d'Azay, a faceted diamond set by the Indre River, mounted on flower-masked pilings

Built during the reign of François ^I, the château replaced a ^12th-century medieval fortress on the lands of Gilles Berthelot, the king's financier. Under the supervision of his wife, Philippe Lesbahy, the building harmoniously blends traditional French elements with Italian art, representing the early French Renaissance. Architectural evolutions over the centuries have been integrated without mixing styles, making Azay-le-Rideau a rare gem.

Like Chambord, the staircase, one of the first with a straight banister in France, is a masterpiece. The salons, billiard room and Grande Salle are elegantly furnished, perfectly illustrating the art of ^19th-century living. Thanks to a partnership with the Mobilier National between 2015 and 2017, it was possible to restore the decor of the ground-floor apartments. The Renaissance bedroom, with its braided rush mats lining the walls to insulate the room from the cold, offers a plunge into the ^16th century. The attic, roof structure, period furniture and decorative elements add an immersive dimension. The press room introduces the visit with interactive digital tools, blending the past and the contemporary.

The discovery of the château extends to the gardens, an 8-hectare green setting, also listed as a Historic Monument for its collection of bicentenary trees. Several walkways and small bridges spanning the river lend a romantic atmosphere to the whole. The park, with its kitchen garden faithful to that of the Biencourt family, owners of the site from 1791 to 1882, offers a bucolic stroll and a plunge into the regional flora of yesteryear, with varieties of vegetables that are, for the most part, impossible to find today.

After three years of restoration work, completed in 2017, the château has been restored to its original splendor. The tufa facades have been completely cleaned, eliminating the residues of plaster used in previous restorations. Under the ogival vaults, the kitchens have been restored to their original splendor. This vast project also took care of the carpentry, joinery, sculptures and upper parts of the masonry, transforming Azay-le-Rideau into a true living testimony to the Renaissance.

Relax in the park to the sound of birdsong, with an incredible view of the château. Numerous events throughout the year, for young and old alike. Play cards and junior audioguides for children aged 6 and over - Consult the program directly on the azay-le-rideau.fr website