Château de Candé

Château de Candé sits on a 230-hectare estate of forest, meadows, and orchards that overlooks the Indre valley south of Tours. The building combines Renaissance elements with Art Deco details and modern conveniences from the early 20th century.

François Briçonnet, mayor of Tours, began construction of a Renaissance house in 1499 on the grounds of a former fortress. His daughter Jeanne completed the work in 1508, establishing a residence that would endure through later centuries.

The castle displays Art Deco bathrooms and houses a working Skinner organ in its library, reflecting how it became a modern living space in the early 20th century. These features show how the residence merged tradition with contemporary comfort.

The estate is accessible via two marked hiking trails that run about 3 and 4 kilometers through old oak forests. The paths work well for anyone wanting to explore nature at a leisurely pace.

The location hosted the 1937 wedding of the Duke of Windsor, former King Edward VIII, to Wallis Simpson. Photographer Cecil Beaton captured the event in striking images.

Location: Monts

Architects: Jacques-Aimé Meffre

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

GPS coordinates: 47.29694,0.66556

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02