A must-see
article | Reading time6 min
Visiting the Centre-Val de Loire region? Get your fill of culture by discovering four châteaux that are perfect for getting off the beaten track!
The Château de Châteaudun, architecture with many facets
Do you love châteaux that combine several architectural styles? Then the château de Châteaudun is just what you're looking for! Built in the 12th century and transformed until the 16th century, it dominates the town of Châteaudun and the river Loir from the top of its rocky spur.
Châteaudun is a veritable stronghold. In the 15th century, the military aspect of the building was abandoned in favour of a residence for pleasure. Prepare to be conquered by its 1001 faces!
We owe this transformation to Jean de Dunois, Jeanne d’Arc's comrade-in-arms, who renovated the fortress with Gothic features including a grand spiral staircase. But the changes to the building didn't stop there!
Intrigued? As you wander around the castle, you'll notice that elegant Renaissance ornamentation contrasts with the other wings.
Finish your visit by strolling through the medieval-inspired hanging garden, unique in the Loire Valley!
- Open every day
- Full price 7 €, special price 5,50 €, free for under 26 years old
- Accessible by car, by train from Paris and by bike on the Loir à Vélo route
© Léonard de Serres / Centre des monuments nationaux
Talcy, "the castle of the muses"
Originally, the château de Talcy was no more than a modest dwelling. This rural residence not far from Blois was transformed in 1517 by Bernard Salviati, a wealthy Florentine banker! While it was a time of opulent Renaissance decorations, the château de Talcy stood out for its sobriety. No marble or perfect symmetry, but a bucolic charm that won't escape you!
The château also stands out for its association with renowned literary figures such as Pierre de Ronsard and Théodore Agrippa d'Aubigné.
Mignonne, let's see if the rose...
Recognise these verses? They are those of Pierre de Ronsard, written for Cassandre Salviati, undoubtedly the most famous of Talcy's muses. Ronsard met Cassandre in 1545 at a ball in Blois. He fell madly in love with the young woman, who became his muse and inspired his collection of poems Les Amours de Cassandre.
Twenty-seven years later, Diane Salviati, Bernard Salviati's granddaughter, met the Protestant poet Théodore Agrippa d'Aubigné. The latter took refuge in the Château de Talcy after the St Bartholomew's Day massacre in 1572. He fell in love with Diane but was spurned, and nevertheless wrote her almost 6,000 verses!
Let yourself be transported by the charms of the Château de Talcy and its verdant garden.
- Open every day
- Full price 7 €, special price 5,50 €, free for under 26 years old
- Length of visit: approximately 1 hour
© Léonard de Serres / Centre des monuments nationaux
Fougères-sur-Bièvre, a castle that looks like a fortress
Built in the 15th century, the château of Fougères-sur-Bièvre, 58 kilometres from Tours, attracts attention with its castle-like appearance.
In 1438, the seigneury of Fougères passed to the de Refuge family. Treasurer to King Louis XI, Pierre de Refuge's ambition was to show off his power to the world.
And what better way to do this than to build a fortified residence on his lands? Drawbridges, machicolations, watchtowers, gun ports and a keep: Pierre de Refuge left nothing to chance! The building was completed in 1510 by Pierre de Refuge's nephew, Jean de Villebresme, who decided to adopt the Renaissance style.
Like others before you, let yourself be impressed by the castle's defensive appearance and set off to discover the secrets of Pierre de Refuge's fortress!
- Open every day
- Full price 7 €, special price 5,50 €, free for under 26 years old
- Length of visit: approximately 1 hour
© Léonard de Serres / Centre des monuments nationaux
The Château d'Oiron, between historic settings and contemporary creation
Fancy something a little surprising? Take your escapade a little further than the Loire Valley by getting closer to Poitiers! Head for the château d'Oiron, 40 kilometres from Saumur.
In 1449, the Gouffier family acquired the lands of Oiron and built the château we know today. The key figure in this family was undoubtedly Claude Gouffier. Not only was he the Grand Esquire of France, he was also one of the most famous collectors and art lovers of his time! Over time, he built up a vast collection of works of art, and between 1546 and 1549 commissioned the construction of a 55-metre painting gallery.
This 16th-century jewel promises an unforgettable experience. When you enter the castle, you are sure to be surprised by the "Curios & Mirabilia" collection of contemporary art, inspired by Renaissance cabinets of curiosities and offering an astonishing journey through the rooms.
If you're a contemporary art lover, this is the castle for you! Leather sofas, monochrome canvases, geometric shapes... you'll be amazed!
- Open every day
- Full price 9 €, special price 7,50 €, free for under 26 years old
- Length of visit: approximately 2 hours
© Philippe Berthé / Centre des monuments nationaux
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