For the next 100 years it was thus known as azay le brule azay the burnt. It was rebuilt in 1518 by giles berthelot, the kings treasurergeneral. Azaylerideau article about azaylerideau by the free. The train station of azaylerideau is a hub in the french transport network enabling travellers to reach the region around azaylerideau indreetloire, centreloire valley. Discover the loire valley castle with this guided day tour to the chateaux of azay le rideau, rivau and villandry, departing from tours. Chateau dazaylerideau skiptheline tickets in loire. The current chateau of azaylerideau occupies the site of a former feudal castle. The refinement of an early renaissance chateau reflected in water. Set on an island created by the indre river, azaylerideau is a feast of renaissance beauty and one of the best examples of loire valley chateaux. For 150 years, history and travel books have cited the chateau dazayle. The guided tour was very interesting and a english translated. Azaylerideau is best known for a splendid chateau that is one of the finest examples of french architecture in the 16th century. Chateau d azay le rideau castles, palaces and fortresses.
Located 150 metres from the irresistible charm of the chateau dazaylerideau, this former 18th century coaching inn has been turned into a charming hotel. They speak good english i am an experienced french speaker stayed in september 2019. Close to both the chateau of azay le rideau and the town centre which has many restaurants and cafes. Discover azaylerideau, a chateau in the loire valley romantically set in a little island. The attic of the chateau is home to a bat colony of rare great mouseeared bats, and with 60 species of dragonfly in the area, theres plenty of action. The design combined the latest technical innovations from italy and the art of french architecture. There are 5 ways to get from tours to chateau azay le rideau by train, rideshare, taxi, car or towncar. A small reflecting lake reveals the beautiful reflection of the white chateau. The chateau was then sold in 1833 in return for a life annuity to the luzarche family, ironmasters. It is a very beautiful renaissance style chateau in a lovely location surrrounded on three sides by water. Two days in loire valley castels, five palaces and a night in amboise.
This is a delightful hotel in the centre of one of the prettiest small towns in france. Aug 31, 2016 azaylerideau is like a glistening jewellbox castle floating on a lake. A subtle blend of french tradition and innovative italian decor, it is an icon of the new art of building in the loire valley in the 16th century. You can take a train from paris to tours and then a regional train to the station of azaylerideau, the journey takes between 2 2. This is a lovely building with of course an interesting history. Its directoire building is bordered by court garden.
The chateau dazaylerideau was built on an island in the indre river under the patronage of king francis the first. This place provides an easy connection to other forms of road transport if necessary. The castle was built between 1518 and 1528 for gilles berthelot, a financier from tours in the service of francis i. The historic castles of azaylerideau, rivau, and villandry are three of the loire valleys most popular attractions, but theyre spread throughout the region and hidden in the hillsides. Built between 1518 and 1527, this picturesque chateau maintains the fashionable italian renaissance style in its long proportions and.
Nov 04, 2018 the attic of the chateau is home to a bat colony of rare great mouseeared bats, and with 60 species of dragonfly in the area, theres plenty of action. It is one of the best known of the chateaux of the loire valley. Discover the loire valley castle with this guided day tour to the chateaux of azaylerideau, rivau and villandry, departing from tours. Its not one of the largest chateaux in the loire valley but certainly ranks among the prettiest. The enchanting chateau of azaylerideau loire valley. Service, staff, welcome and assistance all first class. Enjoy onsite parking, a garden, and bicycle rentals on site.
This is a lovely building with of course an interesting history, and offers plenty of explanatory material in english. Set on an island in the middle of the indre river, chateau of azaylerideau is considered one of the foremost examples of early french renaissance architecture. Book your hotel in azaylerideau and pay later with expedia. Chateau dazay le ferron azayleferron 2020 all you need. It was like a dream chateau come to life history of the chateau of azaylerideau. As a france travel book writer, i find azayand particularly the lush gardens and parklands surrounding ita gem in the crown of the kingly loire. The englishstyle park that surrounds the chateau of azaylerideau covers 8 hectares. The chateau dazaylerideau is built on an island between two branches of the river indre. Edificado sobre uma pequena ilha do rio indre, a sua estrutura elevase directamente a partir do rio. It was designed from 1810 by the marquis of biencourt who planted sequoias, atlas cedars, bald cypresses, and ginkgos from asia. The chateau of azaylerideau was built from 1515 to 1527, one of the earliest french renaissance chateaux. Philippa lesbahy inherited azay le rideau castle in the early 16th century, she and her husband, gilles berthelot, adviser to king francois i and mayor of tours, replaced the ruined fortress with a small renaissance chateau.
In this region of forests, vineyards and chateaux, the indre, a tributary of the loire, which flows near azay, enabled stones to be transported. Built on an island in the indre river, its foundations rise straight out of the water. This post is part of my series on the chateaux of the loire valley and the second post on the chateau dazay le rideau, this time covering the interior. History of azaylerideau, loire valley azaylerideaus name is of relatively recent origin by european standards, dating back to just the eighteenth century. My historical fiction novel, forever gentleman, is available now by. Chateau azay le rideau was built in the 12th century by a knight in the service of philip ii augustus, known as seigneur ridel or rideau dazay during the armagnacburgundian civil war the original castle fell victim to a dispute between the two political groups and was burned to the ground. End of the visite at the latest 15 minutes before closing time. The history of chateau dazaylerideau chateau dazay. Bed and breakfast and charming suite in azaylerideau. This is a mustvisit castle for any tourist visiting this picturesque valley region of france, especially for history buffs interested in french royalty. Smaller than some of the other grand loire estates, it is nevertheless one of my top five loire favorites. This fullday bus tour makes it possible to check them all off your list in a day, and includes a tasting of loire valley wines.
The spacious rooms still feature their exposed beams and tuffeau stone walls. Become more familiar with one of the most emblematic chateaux of the loire valley. During the 12th century, the local seigneur ridel or rideau dazay, a knight in the service of philip ii augustus, built a fortress here to protect the tours to chinon road where it crossed the river indre. The chateau dazay le rideau is one of the most beautiful of the loire valley castles, but it can get crowded in peak season. Further to my recent post of photographs of chateaux of the loire valley below are further images by the neurdein brothers of paris. The enchanting chateau of azaylerideau loire valley the. This exceptional site, which gives so much charm to the chateau, has rich flora and fauna of which the various owners have taken advantage. Many great families owned azay le ferron, in particular gregoire michel, banker in paris and supplier of napoleons armies. Visit chateau of azaylerideau on your trip to azaylerideau.
Foi construido entre 1518 e 1527, sendo um exemplo do renascimento frances. Azaylerideau social history in the touraine central. Discover the renaissance chateau of azaylerideau french. Perched on an island on the river indre, romantic azaylerideau was built during the reign of francis i by a rich financier, gilles berthelot, who wanted his fabulous new home to combine the latest technical innovations from italy with the elegance of french architecture. Azaylerideau is known for its historical sites, architecture, and monuments.
The gerfaut, built in 1909 by our grandfather, was originally intended to be a hunting lodge. Several times, we have taken tours of the chateau usually with friends or family. However, sometimes the history is dark, a source of embarrassment. Azaylerideau stands in the heart of the loire valley and is included on unescos list of world heritage sites. The best gothic art books to understand french churches. This hotel is divided into 2 buildings from the 18thcentury, a former school, from napoleon iii period. Azay le rideau castle, from a fortress to a chateau. And, there was a different chateau on the site than the one erected by berthelot. The town is built at the foot of a hill by the river and is a maze of narrow, twisting streets. The renaissance of the chateau dazaylerideau, the romantic pearl of the loire valley.
The current castle sits on the site of a former medieval fortress. Just as a reminder, the chateau was built between 1518 and 1527, by gilles berthelot, and later enhanced by armandfrancoismarie biencourt in the 19th century. He is the author of a great number of articles and books on architecture. The pristine 16th century chateau looks as if it has leapt straight off the page of a fairytale book. The village is azaylerideau, just twenty minutes away from our summer home.
The chateau of azay le rideau is one of the most visited castles in the loire valley, and in the centre of the village on the indre river. The chateau dazay lerideau, built in the heart of the touraine region under the reign of francois i, is a charming renaissance residence. The chateau of azaylerideau is located approximately 15 minutes from tours by car. For the next 100 years it was thus known as azaylebrule azay the burnt. It was burned to the ground in 1418, killing the 350 soldiers inside. Chateau of azaylerideau is a french castle near tours, indreetloire chateau of azaylerideau history. Chateau dazaylerideau centre des monuments nationaux. The chateau dazaylerideau is located in the town of azaylerideau in the french departement of indreetloire. In 1951, miss hersent, miss luzarches daughter, bequeathed the chateau and domain to the city of tours. For sheer style and elegance, head for azaylerideau. Each room has modern decor and views of the city or of the flowered patio. View all hotels near chateau dazay le ferron on tripadvisor. Listed as a historical monument, the monument is now managed by the.
This product is unavailable to book via tripadvisor. Azaylerideau, rivau and villandry guided tour pariscityvision. The chateau of azaylerideau official website for tourism. From prices and availability to skiptheline options and mobile tickets, get all the information you need to make the most of your trip to france. Train station of azaylerideau transport in azaylerideau. Chateau azay le rideau the unfinished castle in the. The enchanting chateau of azaylerideau loire valley the good. Built between 1518 and 1527, this chateau is considered one of the foremost examples of early french renaissance architecture. The history of french chateaux visit france french waterways. The englishstyle park that surrounds the chateau of azay le rideau covers 8 hectares.
The centre des monuments nationaux is conducting an ambitious policy of refurnishing the chateau dazaylerideau, in partnership with le mobilier national, in order to restore the furniture and furnishings of the ground floor according to how they were when it was occupied by the marquis of biencourt in the mid 19th century. The park the chateau dazaylerideau is built on an island between two branches of the river indre. Select an option below to see stepbystep directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in rome2rios travel planner. Gilles berthelot, treasurergeneral of the finances of france under king francis i and mayor of t. Visitors should be sure to check out the chateaus attics, which are renowned for their impressive handcrafted wood frames and a unique exhibit detailing the challenging construction. Tours to chateau azay le rideau 5 ways to travel via. Book through klook and avail of skiptheline tickets to enter one of the most popular castles in the loire valley. Dressed up as princesses or knights, children will be entranced by lislette.