Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cost and Hours:
€8, daily mid-March-mid-Nov 10:00-20:00, closed mid-Nov-mid-
March, château interior closed to visitors, between Langeais and Azay-le-Rideau just off
D-57, tel. 02 47 45 40 29,
www.lachatonniere.com
.
Château du Rivau
Gleaming white and medieval, this château sits wedged between wheat and sunflower
fields, and makes for a memorable 15-minute drive from Chinon. Its owners have spared
little expense in their decades-long renovation of the 15th-century castle and its extensive
gardens. The 14 different flower and vegetable gardens and orchards are kid-friendly
(with elf and fairy guides) and lovingly tended with art installations, topiaries, hammocks,
birds, a maze, and much more. The stables—with projections about jousting and “Heroic
Horses” from history—will delight most kids (English subtitles), but the medieval castle
interior is skippable. A good little café serves reasonable meals in a lovely setting.
Cost and Hours:
€10, audioguide-€2, daily April-Sept 10:00-18:00, Oct-mid-Nov
10:00-12:30 & 14:00-18:00, closed mid-Nov-March; in Lémeré on D-759—from Chinon
follow
Richelieu
signs, then signs to the château; tel. 02 47 95 77 47,
Thischâteau,famousasaninspirationforCharlesPerrault'sclassicversionoftheSleeping
Beauty story, is worth a quick photo stop for its fairy-tale turrets and gardens, but don't
bothertouringtheinteriorofthispriceypearl.Thebestview,withreflectionsandagolden-
slipper picnic spot, is from just across the bridge.
Cost and Hours:
€14, daily April-Aug 10:00-19:00, mid-Feb-March and Sept-mid-
Nov 10:00-18:00, closed mid-Nov-mid-Feb, tel. 02 47 95 54 05,
www.chateaudusse.fr
.
TheRoyalAbbeyofFontevraud(fohn-tuh-vroh)isa15-minutejourneywestfromChinon.
This vast 12th-century abbey provides a fascinating look at medieval monastic life. The
“abbey”was actually a 12th-century monastic city, the largest such compound in
Europe—with four monastic complexes, all within a fortified wall.
