Château d'Ussé
The Sleeping Beauty Castle, known for its white towers and pointed roofs, said to have inspired Perrault's fairy tale Sleeping Beauty.
Ussé Château sits at the confluence of the Indre and the Loire, backed by the Forest of Chinon. Its white towers, spires and dormer windows are arranged like an illustration from a fairy tale, and legend says Charles Perrault drew his inspiration for Sleeping Beauty here. Inside, wax figures depict scenes from the story, alongside antique furniture and tapestries, and you can climb the tower walkways for views. The gardens are laid out in terraced formal style in the manner of Le Nôtre. The château is still privately owned, and entry costs about EUR16. It is about 15 km from Azay-le-Rideau, and it is especially photogenic when viewed from across the river.
Opening hours
Mid-Feb to Nov, about 10:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Royal Fortress of Chinon
- Château de Langeais
- Château du Rivau
- Château d'Azay-le-Rideau
- Château de Villandry
- Tours Old Town
- Tours Cathedral
- Vouvray