Château de la Droitière

The Château de la Droitière is an 18th-century castle with neoclassical design set within an 11-hectare park in Mauves-sur-Loire. The grounds blend French formal gardens with English landscape design and host many uncommon tree species.

The castle was built in the 17th century by merchants from Nantes and later acquired by Victor Fleury and his wife Mathilde Verne in 1867. The arrival of the Verne family transformed it into a center of intellectual life.

Jules Verne spent time at the castle discussing photography, science, and botany with his brother-in-law, and these intellectual exchanges remain part of the place's story. Visitors today walk through rooms where such conversations once took place.

The park opens on weekends from May through September and provides audio guides for self-guided exploration. Plan to spend several hours walking through the grounds to fully appreciate the different garden areas.

The park was enriched during the 19th century with numerous rare tree species brought from abroad. This botanical collection makes the place a hidden find for those interested in trees and plants.