Château du Lude

The Château du Lude is a castle in Le Lude featuring Renaissance architecture with facades that display design elements spanning from medieval to classical periods. Its structure rises across multiple levels, revealing how the building evolved through different architectural modifications over time.

The castle was transformed beginning in 1457 when Jean Daillon purchased it and started extensive renovations to convert it from a medieval fortress into a Renaissance residence. This transformation gradually reshaped the building's appearance and function over subsequent decades.

The castle hosts an annual gardening festival in June where designers and botanical experts share their work through exhibitions and public discussions. This event draws visitors interested in plants, landscape design, and outdoor spaces.

Visitors can explore the castle during its open season, discovering the Renaissance gallery, furnished rooms, and underground medieval sections at their own pace. Planning which areas interest you most helps make the most of your visit to this multi-level complex.

The castle features a working noria, a medieval water-lifting device that shows how people once managed water resources through mechanical engineering. This functioning mechanism offers a glimpse into practical problem-solving from centuries past.