Visit Azay-le-Rideau

Welcome to Azay-le-Rideau and its famous château! Owned by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, the château is of course the must-see attraction of this small town on the banks of the River Indre. The charming cobbled streets of the town centre are also an invitation to explore.

Where to walk in Azay-le-Rideau?

On the way, don’t hesitate to stop off at the shops. These include the cave du château (shop on the Paget estate, in Rivarennes), l’Artchipel (a shop featuring several craftsmen), Plume et Brin d’Osier, the chocolate factory “au royal chocolat”, the upmarket decor shop Collector Spaces without forgetting the Zèbre Soap Factory!

NB: in the 12th century, Azay was a fortress protecting the road from Tours to Chinon. The lords answered to the patronymic of “Ridel”, the original name of Azay-le-Rideau. The inhabitants are still called the Ridellois and Ridelloises!

In the heart of the Ridellois

Market day

Weekly markets are held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Meanwhile, other events punctuate the town’s calendar: the professional flea market on the island (early April), the night market in summer, the big autumn fair which brings together the apple festival, funfair and garage sale, not forgetting… the Christmas market!

©Château de l'Aulée à Azay-le-Rideau|ADT Touraine - JC Coutand

Azay-le-Rideau castle iconic

Admire this Renaissance gem! The white of the tufa stone walls stands out majestically in the middle of the large English-style park. In line with the grand driveway, the eye climbs along the beautiful grand staircase, to reach the slate roof.

During the visit, immerse yourself in the history of the Renaissance and Gilles Berthelot, adviser and then master of accounts to King Louis XII. François 1st succeeded him to the throne in 1515, and Gilles Berthelot, then Treasurer of France, began work on the monument in 1518. The salamander, the emblem of King François 1st, was carved into the walls of the château on several occasions.

Amazingly, the superb furnishings on the ground floor reveal the refinement of the 19th century. At that time, the château d’Azay-le-Rideau was owned by the Marquis de Biencourt. In fact, Charles de Biencourt and his son are credited with creating the landscaped grounds.

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Our offers The must-haves

A whole host of discoveries in Azay-le-Rideau

Three kilometres from the château d’Azay-le-Rideau, another Renaissance monument glistens in the waters of the Indre: the château de l’Islette, where Camille Claudel and Auguste Rodin used to take refuge. To complement the visit, choose between a picnic, an escape game, or a boat trip in a perfectly romantic setting. A little further on, it was one of literature’s sacred monsters who regularly stayed at the château de Saché, now known as the Musée Balzac, owned by the Conseil départemental d’Indre et Loire.

A glance at a tourist map points to many more places to visit:

The château de l’Aulée, a wine estate where you can sample the white and rosé wines of the Touraine azay-le-rideau appellation;
The Cité Rétro-Mécanique – Parc & Collection Maurice Dufresne, where collections of all kinds (agricultural or military machinery, vintage posters, aircraft, old vehicles…) are brought together in a very pretty landscaped setting (an old mill).
The vallée troglodytique des Goupillières, which highlights the modest life of peasants, as a counterpoint to castle life.

Also worth mentioning are the Halles (opposite the church) where exhibitions are held regularly, and a 10km hike “in the footsteps of Camille Claudel & Auguste Rodin”.

Book a visit to Château de l'Islette,

Good to know!

As the gateway to the Loire Anjou Touraine Regional Nature Park, the town of Azay-le-Rideau is also on the route of the Cyclo Bohème and the GR®3.

The must-haves Near Azay-le-Rideau

Château d'Azay-le-Rideau

What to do around Azay-le-Rideau

Rental bikes from Azay-le-Rideau cycles, and get your calves active on loop no. 18 “from wicker to basket“. It passes through the Balzac Museum in Saché and Villaines-les-Rochers, a village where many craftsmen perpetuate the art of wicker basketry. Here you can visit the Maison des Savoir-Faire of the Centre Val de Loire Region.

Other possible outings in the fresh air include a trotting ride with Touraine Cheval (La Chapelle-aux-Naux), and a canoe trip down the Loire with Kryzalid’Nature. And don’t forget to try the poires tapées de Rivarennes, and the Loire fish at the Cabane à Matelot!

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Azay-Chinon Val de Loire Tourist Office

What to do in Azay-le-Rideau? The Azay-Chinon Val de Loire Tourist Office is at your service for guided tours, tickets for tourist sites, hotels and all other information.