Château de Langeais
Place Pierre de Brosse, Langeais, Centre-Val de Loire
Château de Langeais is one of the Loire Valley's most interactive castles. Far from being just a remnant of the past, the interior features faithful recreations of not only the furniture and art that were once found in the rooms, but also period-correct lighting and even mannequins in period dress.
The castle hosts a playground, treehouse, observation deck, activities for kids, and a nightly show that leads guests through interior rooms and unlocks “secrets” of the past. Visitors arriving early or leaving late can see the only remaining manual drawbridge in France open and close. Quite a few Loire Valley tours stop here, some of which include excursions to Mont Saint Michel in Normandy.
- Note that the guided tours run by castle staff are available only in French.
- Food is not available on-site, though beverages are for sale at the giftshop.
- The château is not wheelchair accessible.
The Château de Langeais is in the town of Langeais, about a five-minute walk from the railway station. It takes around half an hour to get to the castle from Tours by train or car, while the trip from Paris takes around three hours (also by train or car); if you take the train, be expected to change a couple times along the way.
The castle and grounds are open every day of the year, with shortened hours on Christmas Day. Opening hours vary by season, with longer hours in the summer months, so it’s best to check ahead for up-to-date information.
Located a 10-minute drive from the castle, the Grottes Pétrifiantes de Savonnières grottoes have been used since at least Roman times, and limestone was sourced from the area to construct area chateaux. A natural spring in the caves is so rich in water that if you place an object under it for around a year, a limestone crust will form around it, making it look petrified.
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