Azay le Rideau

Rates

Prices are available on the chateau's official website, and range from 9 euros for group rates to 11 euros for adult rates. Free admission is also available for the under-18s, the disabled, the unemployed, etc...

Chateau d'Azay le Rideau- How to get there

To reach the chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau, drive through the town on the D84 or rue du Stade. You can park in one of the two parking lots close to the estate. The address is 19, rue Balzac 37190 Azay-le-Rideau.

Our services

Visitor services include audio guides, guided tours and a heritage itinerary. Disabled visitors can also be accommodated.

The chateau also offers a special rate in conjunction with the chateau d'Angers.

The events

Azay le Rideau organizes events according to season and theme: Christmas and All Saints' Day events, musical gatherings, etc.

Originality of the chateau

The site is exceptional because the chateau is located on an island in the middle of the Indre River.

Description of the chateau

The main building of the estate, and certainly the most remarkable, is L-shaped. Each corner of the monument is 'equipped' with a turret, with a slate roof, giving this chateau an undeniable charm. The roof of the main building features dormer windows and a parapet walk.

The main entrance, in the center of the building, features a grand staircase, the initials of Gilles Berthelot and the emblems of François 1er.

All this makes it a monument considered one of the models of French Renaissance architecture.

 Gallo-Roman times

Discoveries have been made near the town of Azay-le-Rideau that bear witness to a Gallo-Roman presence on the site: funerary vases, an iron dagger, an iron arrowhead, several bronze rings, etc...

The origins of the chateau...

Azay's first château was built in the 12th century. The work was undertaken by the local lord Rideau d'Azay. The château d'Azay was subsequently given to the de Marmande family, before being destroyed by fire by Charles VII in 1418. The town will continue to be known as Azay-le-Brule.

A Renaissance chateau

 The château we see today was built by Gilles Berthelot, then mayor of Tours, in the 16th century. Today, it is considered one of the most important works of the French Renaissance.

Unfortunately, Gilles Berthelot did not have time to complete his work, and the chateau was requisitioned by François 1er, who offered it to Antoine Ponton de Raffin, captain of the king's corps.

It's distinctive for its foundations, a combination of stone and stilts. It's also unusual in its location, on an island in the middle of the Indre River.

 Then, slowly, the château fell into disuse before being sold in 1791 to the Biencourt family, who occupied it until 1899, when it was restored and renovated.

In 1905, the château was purchased by the French state.

Le Chevalier Levassé

Le Chevalier Levassé was known for his impertinence and wealth. After marrying, he is said to have locked up his own wife in Paris, at the Feuillantines, to make the most of his libertinism, before seeing himself exiled to Azay-le-Rideau in 1669 for having spoken ill of the King. He took advantage of this exile to carry out expensive work on the chateau, before dying in 1684.

Frequently asked questions about Azay-le-Rideau

What is the history of the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau?

Visit château d'Azay-le-Rideau was built in the early 16th century under the reign of François I. It embodies French Renaissance architecture with Italian influences. Built on an island in the Indre River, it is famous for its elegant facades and spectacular reflection in the water.

How to visit Château d'Azay-le-Rideau

The château is open all year round, and offers both guided and self-guided tours. It is advisable to book your ticket in advance in high season. A mobile app lets you discover the castle's history at your own pace.

How much does admission to the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau cost?

Standard admission is around 11,50 € for an adult, with discounts for young people, students and groups. Admission is free for under-18s and EU residents under 26.

How long does it take to visit Azay-le-Rideau?

A complete tour of the château and its grounds takes an average of 1h30 to 2h. Those wishing to explore further can spend more time exploring the richly furnished interiors and gardens.

Are there any events or shows at the château?

Yes, the château regularly offers temporary exhibitions, theatrical tours and evening entertainment in summer. Light shows and historical re-enactments take place at certain times of the year.

Where can I park in Azay-le-Rideau?

There are several free parking and paying car parks near the château. A main parking lot is located at the entrance to the village, approx. 5 minutes on foot castle.

Can we picnic in the château grounds?

No, picnics are not permitted within the castle grounds. However, several picnic areas are available in the vicinity, particularly near the Indre river.

What other sites are worth seeing around Azay-le-Rideau?

Nearby must-sees include the château de Villandryfamous for its gardens, the château de Langeaisand the Chinon fortress. Visit the region's wineries also offer tastings of local wines.

Can I stay in Azay-le-Rideau?

Yes, the city has numerous accommodationsWe offer a wide range of accommodation, from charming hotels to bed & breakfasts and gîtes. There are also campsites and guest houses in the surrounding countryside.

When is the best time to visit Azay-le-Rideau?

Visit spring and summer are the best seasons to enjoy the château and its gardens to the full. Autumn also brings beautiful colors to the park. Winter is a quieter time of year, when you can enjoy a visit in a hushed atmosphere.

For more information, visit the official website of the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau or the Touraine tourist office.

Past testimonials

"The Château d'Azay-le-Rideau is an unfinished castle. We currently have two main buildings arranged at right angles to each other. Two further wings will complete the quadrilateral.

But this unfinished château is a homogeneous one. Begun in 1518, it must have been completed before 1528. This is an initial interest that deserves to be highlighted. The restorations it has undergone have not detracted from it.

Is this Renaissance château still a feudal castle? Its layout, corner towers, battlements and machicolations would seem to suggest so. This is easily explained: the château is the successor to a fortress, and part of it has been preserved. In addition, the perpetuity of certain seigneurial prerogatives had to be marked, and this desire was all the more keenly felt in the case of bourgeois families such as the Berthelots.

But if we simply compare it to the Château de l'Islette, don't we notice some striking differences? Is it the same sobriety? Here, angel towers are replaced by elegant turrets. The decor, which is virtually non-existent at l'Islette, is abundant and delicate here, and while there are still a few Gothic elements, they are inspired by Italian motifs. In short, there's a graceful, feminine quality to the whole house that's unmistakably its own. And let's not forget the role played by Philippe Lesbahy. I'd say it's a fashionable château, and it's only natural that Philippe Lesbahy, like every other woman, should sacrifice a great deal to this fashion. This modern character is to be found in many parts of the château, and especially in the staircase, which is the great novelty of Azay. This is no longer the spiral staircase projected outside the building, as in the François 1er wing in Blois. It's the Italian-style staircase with straight, parallel banisters. Admittedly, its presence is still emphasized on the outside, but behind its flat-faced niche, the spiral revolving around a central core no longer exists as it did in Chateaudun." Extract from the French archaeological congress in Tours.