Château de Valençay, Renaissance château in Valençay, France
The limestone château displays three classical architectural orders on its facades, with a central body flanked by round towers and expansive windows.
Napoleon instructed Charles Maurice de Talleyrand to purchase the château in 1803 for hosting foreign dignitaries during diplomatic negotiations.
The château houses a theater built between 1819 and 1820 at Talleyrand's request, maintaining its original decorations and hosting performances.
The estate features forty hectares of gardens, forests, and animal areas that visitors can explore through marked pathways throughout the year.
During World War II, the château protected numerous art pieces from the Louvre Museum, safeguarding French cultural treasures from potential destruction.
Location: Valençay
Architectural style: Renaissance
Address: 2 Rue de Blois, 36600 Valençay, France 36600 Valençay
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-18:00
Phone: +33254001066
Website: http://chateau-valencay.com
GPS coordinates: 47.15750,1.56333
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:44
The Loire River houses castles from French Renaissance and Classical periods. These structures display architectural elements of their time and document noble life. Each castle presents distinct features, from Gothic ornaments to symmetrical gardens. The interiors contain original furniture, tapestries, and art collections.
The Centre-Val de Loire showcases a diverse heritage, from medieval fortresses like Château de Lavardin to Renaissance structures. The region features protected natural sites such as the Chérine Nature Reserve and the Domaine du Ciran, which host hundreds of bird species in their ponds and woodlands. The Savonnières Pétrifiantes Caves illustrate local geological phenomena, while the Briare Canal Bridge demonstrates 19th-century engineering. This selection also includes historical and cultural sites, from the Dunois Mill preserving 17th-century mechanisms to the Marcel Proust Museum housed in an authentic residence. The Picassiette House in Chartres exhibits Raymond Isidore's unique work over several decades. The Parc Floral de la Source and the Saint-Ours Collegiate complete this exploration combining Gothic religious architecture with themed gardens, providing diverse discoveries accessible to visitors.
Château de Selles-sur-Cher
13.1 km
Valençay SOE Memorial
1.2 km
Abbey Church of Selles-sur-Cher
13.1 km
Gare de Valençay
719 m
Gare de Luçay-le-Mâle
10 km
Pont-canal de Chatillon-sur-Cher
13.6 km
Château d'Oublaise
14.4 km
Musée de l'Automobile de Valençay
572 m
Église Saint-Christophe-et-Saint-Phalier de Chabris
12.8 km
Église Notre-Dame de Lye
10.3 km
Église Saint-Pierre de Meusnes
11.4 km
Église Saint-Pierre de Veuil
4.9 km
Église Saint-Laurent de Vicq-sur-Nahon
6.2 km
Chapelle de Saint-Mandé
8.6 km
Église Saint-Hilaire d'Aize
12.1 km
Saint Saturnin church of Poulaines
7.6 km
Saint Martin church of Valençay
1 km
Église Saint-Martial de Baudres
11.2 km
Église Saint-Maurice de Luçay-le-Mâle
10.1 km
Église Saint-Blaise de Châtillon-sur-Cher
13.9 km
Église Saint-Sulpice de Buxeuil
9.7 km
Église Notre-Dame de Gehée
13.1 km
Église Saint Lignace de Varennes-sur-Fouzon
6.9 km
Saint Martin church of Couffy
13.7 km
Église Saint-Éloi de La Vernelle
10.1 km
Logis de Jeanne d'Arc, Selles-sur-Cher
13.3 km
Château de Villentrois
8.9 km
Chapelle Notre-Dame de Valençay
523 mReviews
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