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The Château de Gizeux dates back to the Middle Ages and was remodeled over the centuries, particularly during the Renaissance and the 18th century. Located in the commune of Gizeux, within the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Natural Park, on the borders of the former province of Anjou, it is one of the Loire Valley châteaux. Its façades stretch over 250 meters, making it the longest château in the Angevin region of Touraine.

Very beautiful castle in Touraine

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Home to two of the most beautiful galleries in France, the Château de Gizeux is a true treasure of the Loire Valley with its rich history and thanks to all the activities and events that bring it to life today. The oldest parts of the castle recall the family of the poet Joachim du Bellay, owner of Gizeux for 350 years. During these more than three centuries, the Du Bellays made numerous modifications to the building, changing it from medieval austerity to Renaissance charm. Among the numerous rooms of the castle, two of them are particularly remarkable: the François I gallery and the gallery of the King's castles. The first, produced at the end of the reign of Henri IV, was imagined by Italian artists at the request of Marie d'Yvetot, wife of Martin du Bellay. She therefore had the so-called “Francois I” gallery decorated with numerous remarkably preserved paintings and mythological scenes. The gallery of the King's castles, the true pride of the Château de Gizeux, was created around 1680. No less than 400m² of murals honor the royal castles of Chambord, Vincennes, Fontainebleau and Versailles. . These prestigious historical monuments are complemented by charming rural and bucolic scenes, emblematic of rural life of the time. A visit to the Château de Gizeux also allows you to immerse yourself in the heart of the 18th century with the discovery of the main building and the small lounges that make it up. Marquetry furniture and Louis XV armchairs decorate these elegant rooms, the furniture of which is classified as a Historic Monument. The kitchen to be discovered during the visit was functional until the 1970s, thus constituting a precious testimony to castle life in the 20th century. A wood stove is still present there, as is a large series of coppers including a turbotière, a jam basin and various dishes and pans. More recent history also draws visitors to the cellars, since they served as a hiding place for resistance fighters during the Second World War, even though the Germans occupied the castle. There is also the castle's first central heating installed in the 19th century, a guarantee of modernity for the time. In addition to the 15th century chapel and the incredible 18th century stables, the owners of the Château de Gizeux, Géraud and Stéphanie de Laffon, also offer to stay in this idyllic setting while enjoying the guest rooms furnished in the charm of the old and with modern comfort. They also bring this precious heritage to life on a daily basis through multiple fun and attractive activities for young and old: free or guided tours, costumed or narrated, by day or by candlelight. The numerous workshops offered to children (gardening, storytelling and snacks, bread oven, coat of arms) today bring all the life that has always defined this incredible Gizeux castle.

In Touraine, in the heart of a wooded estate, the Château de Champchevrier is both royal and family-friendly. Family-friendly because it has been inhabited by the same family since 1728. Royal because Kings Louis Louis XIII stayed at the castle on several occasions, his doctor Jean Hérouard recounts it in his memoirs. Rebuilt during the Renaissance then embellished in the 18th century, Champchevrier is both a Historic Monument and a family castle in which each generation has passed on the love and respect for heritage. The history of the castle begins in the 11th century when a first building was built by Hugues de Champchevrier. The owners then succeeded one another on these lands: the Maillé family, the Lavals, the Bastarnays then in 1550, the Daillons who were behind the construction of the Renaissance castle. On the François I Pavilion, we can still see the mullioned windows from this period. Henri de Daillon having no sons, it was his nephew Antoine de Roquelaure, Marshal of France, who inherited the castle in 1686. He contributed to the exterior development of the castle by creating courtyards, gardens and a moat. The Château de Champchevrier was sold in 1728 to Jean-Baptiste Pierre Henri, first Baron de Champchevrier. In fact, the lands of the domain were erected into a barony in 1741 by letters patent from Louis XV. The first baron created the large perspectives which extend from the castle towards the forest, and had the terrace built to give elegance to the residence. This taste for the French art of living is found in particular in the immense portrait room covered with a magnificent Italian marble floor and adorned with a sumptuous 18th century earthenware stove commissioned by a royal repurchase during the demolition of the Château de Richelieu. A very beautiful set of porcelain tableware and numerous pieces of old crystal are displayed in display cases. The beauty of the Château de Champchevrier also lies in the rich furniture of the different rooms open to the public: in the music room, the precious Regency period furniture was already part of the inventory of the château when it was purchased by the family in 1728. But the visit is also worth the detour for its collection of exceptional tapestries made by three factories in the 16th and 17th centuries, including eight unique tapestries in the world from the royal factory of Amiens based on cartoons by Simon Vouët, official painter to Louis XIIII . Finally, the Château de Champchevrier reveals the daily life of those who shared the lives of the owners behind the scenes. The lingerie, particularly complete in terms of accessories, is an interesting testimony to all the stewardship necessary for the life of such a place. In the old kitchens, the large battery of copper pans and other utensils from yesteryear allows you to imagine the activity of the staff. A visit to the Château de Champchevrier is an unforgettable walk between nature and heritage, to the rhythm of the seasons between the life of the hounds and the family events of a residence whose inhabitants, guarantors of traditions, have their eyes fixed on the future.

Castle dating from the Middle Ages and remodeled over the centuries, notably during the Renaissance. The castle is today a tourist attraction with a hotel offer as well as activities, such as an oenological discovery or a relaxation area.

Family property, Champchevrier Castle is a historic castle inhabited by the same family since 1728. It is open to the public from June 15 to the third weekend of September, European Heritage Days weekend.