Visiting the Chateau de Candé

Very few of our clients have ever heard of the Chateau de Candé, but we encourage them to visit it anyway. Originally built in the 15th century, surprisingly it is its 20th century history that is the most glamorous and intriguing.

If you want to learn about the extraordinary Frenchman who became the 5th richest person in America in the 1920s and 30s, his beautiful wife and their notorious friends (including royalty), email us and we will design a tour that includes a visit to this almost unknown chateau. (And even if you are not interested in the history, the glorious setting will enchant you.)

Visiting the Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau

The fairytale chateau of Azay-le-Rideau sits on an island in the Indre River, right in the middle of one of the loveliest villages in the Touraine Loire Valley. Over the last few years the curators have transformed the interior of the chateau, with the highest quality restoration of the roof spaces (engineers love this section!) and recreating the luxurious bedroom of the woman who built it (textile lovers are in heaven!). The building epitomises the architecture of the early Renaissance in France and it is furnished with a wonderful collection of 16th and 17th century furniture.The ground floor is furnished with pieces from the 19th century, many of which belonged to the last family to own the chateau before it was acquired by the state.

If you would like to visit this small but perfectly formed chateau from the time of the Touraine Loire Valley's most fabulous period in history, email us. We will design a tour for you that includes Azay-le-Rideau.

Visiting the Chateau of Cheverny

The Chateau of Cheverny is one of the big name Touraine Loire Valley chateaux, and one of our favourites. It is special because, unlike other well known chateaux, much of its interior is original and it has retained the decorative scheme from the early 17th century date of its construction, along with furniture and objects collected by the family from that time to our own time. The same family continue to live in the chateau and have done so since it was built, again unlike the other well known chateaux.

If you would like to visit a thoroughly authentic chateau, this is the one we would recommend (and there's a special treat for you here if you are dog lovers). Email us and we will design you an itinerary that includes a visit to the Chateau of Cheverny.