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Azay-le-Rideau Castle Travel Guide
Azay-le-Rideau Castle, Centre (© Jose Ignacio Soto - Fotolia.com)
Château d'Azay-le-Rideau.

Introduction

Azay-le-Rideau is one of the earliest French Renaissance châteaux and one of the most charming.


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History

The castle was built between 1518 and 1523 for Gilles Berthelot, Treasurer-General of the Finances of France under King Francis I and mayor of Tours.

In 1523, suspected of collusion in embezzlement, Berthelot is forced to flee. The unfinished Azay-le-Rideau is confiscated by the king, who bestowed it to Antoine de Raffin, captain of his Garde du Corps. The Raffin family remained owner of the castle until 1751.

Azay-le-Rideau became listed as a Monument historique (National Heritage Site of France) in 1840. It was purchased by the French state in 1905 and is nowadays managed by the Centre des Monuments nationaux.




Azay-le-Rideau Castle, Centre (© Freesurf - Fotolia.com)

Opening Hours & Admission

The castle is open daily from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm (until 7:00 pm in July and August), except from October to March when it is open from 10:00 am to 5:15 pm. The last entry is one hour before the closing time. The castle is closed on 1st January, 1st May and 25th December.

Admission is 8.5 € for adults and 5.5 € for concessions. Entry is free for children under 18 years old. An audioguide is available for 4.5 € (3 € for children, disabled people, or per person for couples and groups).

How to get there

Address : Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, 37190 Azay-le-Rideau

You will need your own wheels to reach the castle. Coming from Tours, take exit 11 and follow the D751 road towards Chinon. Coming from Poitiers, take exist 10 until Sainte Maure, then follow the D760 and D57 until Azay-le-Rideau.

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