Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The château was built between 1518 and 1527 by a filthy-rich banker—Gilles Berth-
elot, treasurer to the king of France. The structure has a delightfully feminine touch: Be-
cause Gilles was often away for work, his wife, Philippe, supervised the construction. The
castle was so lavish that the king, François I, took note, giving it the ultimate compliment:
He seized it, causing its owner to flee. Because this château survived the Revolution virtu-
allyunscathed,itsinteriorcapablydemonstratesthreecenturiesofroyalstyles.TheFrench
government purchased it in 1905.
Cost and Hours:
€8.50, unnecessary audioguide-€4.50, €6/2 people, daily July-Aug
9:30-19:00, April-June and Sept-Oct 9:30-18:00, Nov-March 10:00-17:15, last entry one
hour before closing, storage lockers, tel. 02 47 45 42 04,
www.azay-le-rideau.monuments-
Sound-and-Light Show:
Meander through the château at night, accompanied by
mood lighting and music (€9, nightly mid-July-Aug, gates open at 20:30 and close at
23:00).
