A day trip to Azay-le-Rideau: the château and a bit of relaxation

Where can you go for a walk in Azay-le-Rideau?

Pop intothe Tourist Office. You’ll come out with the brochure ‘Au cœur du Ridellois’, a short 1.4 km heritage trail through the streets of Azay-le-Rideau. Admire the Romanesque architecture of Saint Symphorien Church, the mill and its weir, as well as a number of other charming buildings.

Along the way, do pop into the local shops. These include the Château wine cellar (the Paget estate shop in Rivarennes), Artchipel (a shop bringing together several craftspeople), Plume et Brin d’Osier, the ‘Au Royal Chocolat’ chocolate shop, the high-end homeware shop Collector Spaces, and, of course, the Savonnerie du Zèbre. Perfect for gifts!

In the 12th century, Azay was a fortress guarding the road from Tours to Chinon. The lords bore the surname ‘Ridel’, the origin of the name Azay-le-Rideau. The locals are still known as the Ridellois and Ridelloises!

Tour: At the Heart of the Ridellois Region

Market days

Weekly markets are held on Wednesday mornings and Saturday mornings. Alongside these, other events punctuate the town’s calendar: the professional flea market on the island (early April), the summer night market, the big autumn fair which combines the apple festival, funfair and car boot sale, not to mention… the Christmas market!

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

Azay-le-Rideau Castle iconic

Marvel at this Renaissance gem! The white tuffeau stone walls stand out majestically against the backdrop of the large English-style park. Aligned with the grand avenue, your gaze travels up the beautiful grand staircase, all the way to the slate roof.

During your visit, immerse yourself in the history of the Renaissance and of Gilles Berthelot, who served as adviser and later Master of Accounts to King Louis XII. François I succeeded him to the throne in 1515, and Gilles Berthelot, then Treasurer of France, began work on the castle in 1518. The salamander, the emblem of King François I, is carved into the castle’s walls in several places.

Be sure to admire the superb furnishings on the ground floor, which showcase the refinement of the 19th century. At that time, theChâteau d’Azay-le-Rideauwas owned by the Marquises de Biencourt. Indeed, it is to Charles de Biencourt and his son that we owe the creation of the landscaped park.

Must-see offers Restaurants and accommodation in Azay-le-Rideau

A wealth of discoveries in Azay-le-Rideau

Three kilometres from the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, another Renaissance monument is reflected in the waters of the Indre: the Château de l’Islette, where Camille Claudel and Auguste Rodin used to seek refuge. To round off your visit, choose between a picnic, an escape game or a boat trip in a setting that couldn’t be more romantic. A little further on, a literary giant used to stay regularly at the Château de Saché, now known as theBalzac Museum, owned by the Indre-et-Loire Departmental Council.

A glance at a tourist map reveals many other places to visit:

The Château de l’Aulée, a wine estate where you can sample white and rosé wines from the Touraine Azay-le-Rideau appellation;
TheCité Rétro-Mécanique – Maurice Dufresne Park & Collection, where collections of all kinds (agricultural and military machinery, vintage posters, aeroplanes, vintage vehicles, and more) are brought together in a beautiful landscaped setting (a former mill).
The Goupillières troglodyte valley, which highlights the humble life of the peasants, in contrast to life in the château.

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

Book a tour of the 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 Cyclo Bohème cycle route and the GR®3 walking route.

The must-haves Near Azay-le-Rideau

Château d'Azay-le-Rideau

What is there to do around Azay-le-Rideau?

Hire bikes from Azay-le-Rideau Cycles and give your calves a good workout on loop no. 18, ‘From Willow to Basket’. It passes by the Balzac Museum in Saché and through Villaines-les-Rochers, a village where many craftspeople keep the art of wickerwork alive. There, you can visit the Maison des Savoir-Faire in the Centre-Val de Loire region.

Other possible outdoor activities include a gentle ride with Touraine Cheval (La Chapelle-aux-Naux) and a canoe trip down the Loire with Kryzalid’Nature. And do pop along to try the ‘poires tapées’ from Rivarennes and the Loire fish at La Cabane à Matelot!

More info

Azay-Chinon Loire Valley Tourist Office

What is there to do in Azay-le-Rideau? For guided tours, ticket sales for tourist attractions, as well as hotels and any other information, the Azay-Chinon Val de Loire Tourist Office is here to help.