Sunday 30 April 2023

A Chateau With a Difference in the Loire Valley

The Chateau de Candé may at first glance look much like any other small fairytale Renaissance style chateau. But its real treasure is 20th century. At the heart of chateau, in the library, and extending all the way up to the attic, is a most remarkable Skinner organ from America, installed in 1929. It is so special that it is listed in its own right as a Historic Monument (which, surprisingly, the chateau building itself is not!). The organ is regularly played, in order to blow the dust out of its pipes and connections and is the only one of its kind in working order in Europe. It is so powerful it can be heard 3 kilometres away! 

Organist playing at the Chateau de Candé, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.

If you want to learn the remarkable history of this organ's installation and restoration, as well as hear it play, ask us to include the Domaine de Candé in your itinerary with us. The organ is not the only treat the chateau has in store for you.