AZAY-LE-RIDEAU CASTLE

Nestled on stilts in the heart of an island on the Indre River, the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, built between 1518 and 1527, was restored to its architectural splendor in 2017 (after 3 years of renovation), perfectly representing the new Renaissance ideal. A must-see among the jewels of the Loire Valley castles, Azay-le-Rideau 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 facade, mirrored in the Indre River, reveal a romantic, bucolic spirit, magnificently evoked by Balzac in his novel Le Lys dans la vallée: "Climbing 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 land 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, we were able 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. 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.

In 2025, the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau celebrates its fifth centenary. Evening show in summer.