Château d’Azay-le-Rideau

The village of Azay-le-Rideau sits just west of the area where the more-visited Loire Valley castles are found. Feeling slightly off the tourist trail, Château d’Azay-le-Rideau seems less hectic, though it’s still busy in the peak summer months. Admission covers not only the castle but also its English-style gardens and an exhibition in the attics that shows the construction of the wooden-roof frame. Audio guides are a few euros extra.

Many Loire Valley day trips from Tours, Chinon, and Amboise include a visit to Château d’Azay-le-Rideau as an itinerary highlight. Some cover the castle entry fee and even a guided tour to help you get the most out of your time, and some also include visits to Vouvray wineries or big-name castles like Chenonceau or Chambord.

• Château d’Azay-le-Rideau is smaller than many other Loire Valley castles, so plan for a visit of around 1 hour.

• For French-speaking kids, there’s a junior audio guide that brings the castle history to life.

• Visitors under the age of 18 are free to enter, and the castle works well for family outings, with the parkland offering a perfect picnic spot along with ample shade.

• The on-site tea room Le Lavoir is open for lunch and snacks between Easter and September.

• Because of the historic structure’s old staircases and uneven floors, it is not fully wheelchair accessible.

The castle is found on rue Balzac in Azay-le-Rideau, a village in the Loire Valley southwest of Tours. Direct trains take about 30 minutes from Tours, or around 20 minutes from Chinon. The station is about a 25-minute walk away. For drivers who want to avoid the fee to park on-site, there are several parking lots nearby. Cyclists will find the castle easily accessible from the Indre à Vélo or Loire à Vélo route.

Château d’Azay-le-Rideau is open year round, except for a few public holidays. While the hours change season to season, the castle is generally open from morning to early evening, and stays open a bit later in the summer. Last admission is 1 hour before closing time. Like most Loire Valley attractions, the castle is busier on the weekends, especially during the peak summer months.

A highlight of the interior is the castle’s Italianate loggia staircase, which links several floors to the central courtyard. Emblazoned with salamanders and ermines that were the symbols of the royals who once called the place home, the straight-flight staircase is thought to be one of the first of its kind in France. Make like the kings and queens of bygone days as you walk up the historic stairs, and soak up the views from the arched windows over the gardens beyond.