Chateau Azay-le-Rideau

The Renaissance Chateau was built on an island by the Indre River in the early 1500’s. Constructed on piers by Gilles Berthelot, mayor of the city of Tours and the son of a wealthy courtier to both King Louis XI and King Charles VIII.

In 1524 Berthelot was convicted of fraud, banished and his chateau confiscated by King Francois I who gave it as a reward to one of his high-ranking soldiers. Over the centuries, it changed hands several times until the early part of the 20th century when it was purchased by the government and restored. The interior was completely refurbished with a collection of various Renaissance pieces.

Today, the chateau is open to public visits.