Château d'Ussé

The Château d'Ussé, whose first stones date back to the 15th century, has been entirely classified as a historical monument since 1927.

Private property, the castle remains open to the public. He is particularly famous for his link with Charles Perrault, who would have been inspired by him for the tale of Sleeping Beauty.

Overlooking the Indre and the Loire, Ussé stands majestically like a fairytale castle. Its history begins well before the construction of the current monument, under the leadership of Gelduin I who had the first stronghold built more than a millennium ago. A new building, more solid and more sumptuous, was built in the second half of the 15th century by Jean V de Bueil, victorious in the Hundred Years' War and captain of King Charles VII. The elegance and finesse of the Renaissance will soon further embellish the Château d’Ussé. Over the centuries, the rooms have been decorated and richly furnished. The visit allows you to discover, after passing through the entrance hall, a unique guard room: the splendid 17th century trompe l'oeil ceiling imitating marble covers a beautiful collection of weapons and oriental objects. The refinement of Ussé reaches its peak in the 17th century salon, a completely renovated room which bears the evocative name of Vauban, the famous Marshal whose daughter married the Marquis de Valentinay, son of the illustrious owner of the castle. Generations come and go while Ussé continues to tirelessly improve. The latest modifications date from the 19th century, when the Countess of La Rochejacquelin decorated the tops of the doors, installed the spiral staircase in the entrance hall and built a neo-Gothic gallery. The Château d’Ussé is a monument that leaves you dreaming both for its architecture and its history. The route along the walkway takes you into a completely different world: that of fantastic stories and fairy tales. Through beautiful depictions of wax figures, everyone is immersed in the world of Sleeping Beauty.We can of course see the fairy Carabosse, Prince Charming and the three benevolent fairies godmothers of Princess Aurore. A fun nod to Charles Perrault who, seduced by the Château d'Ussé, chose to make it the scene of his famous tale.The park of the Château d'Ussé is an exceptional setting, notably composed of the French garden designed by André Le Nôtre in 1664. In addition, the shadows of the cedars of Lebanon, offered by Chateaubriand to the Duchess of Duras in the 19th century, rub shoulders with the stones of the Sainte-Anne d'Ussé chapel can also be visited. Built between 1535 and 1538 at the request of Charles d'Espinay and Lucrèce de Pons, it retains an absolutely remarkable lintel. Ussé is a completely private estate belonging to the same family for more than two centuries. The Duke of Blacas invites you to browse the furnished rooms of his incredible home and to discover each year a new exhibition of costumes from various eras. From the underground to the attic, including the King's bedroom, the stables, the incredible grand staircase and the kitchens, this monument is an encouragement to delve into our history and to re-immerse ourselves in the most famous tales of our literature. .

The current castle dates back to a medieval castle, on whose foundations a new complex was built in the 15th century and expanded in the 16th century. After changes in the 17th and 19th centuries, Ussé Castle is now the epitome of a romantic fairytale castle. It has been listed as a monument historique since March 1927. The chapel belonging to the complex was added to the list of monuments in April 1931. This was followed in January 1951 by the castle park and its orangery building.
Source: Wikipedia