Chateau d'Onzain

Chateau d'Onzain is a castle with stone walls, towers, and moat structures located in the Loire Valley near Veuzain-sur-Loire. The estate is surrounded by gardens and displays construction features from different periods spanning medieval times to the 1800s.

The castle was built in 1183 by the lords of Bury as a defensive fortress and remained in French noble families' hands for centuries. After partial destruction between 1823 and 1826, the structure underwent significant rebuilding around 1850.

The castle shows how it transformed from a fortress into a residential home for French noble families over the centuries. Visitors can see this evolution reflected in the rooms and grounds today.

The castle can be explored along designated paths, with gardens and some outbuildings accessible while private areas must be respected. Wear appropriate footwear since the grounds and pathways can be uneven in places.

During the French Wars of Religion, Catherine de Medici used the castle to imprison the prince of Conde in 1562. This episode reveals how important the fortress was to the political struggles of the French court.