Château de Valençay
The château of diplomat Talleyrand, with interiors that preserve First Empire furnishings, and grounds suited to family outings.
Valençay Château is a large château in the Renaissance-to-Classical style. In 1803, with Napoleon's support, the diplomat Talleyrand acquired it to host foreign envoys, and the celebrated chef Carême once cooked here. The interiors retain many First Empire furnishings and decorations, and Spanish King Ferdinand VII was once held here under house arrest. The gardens have a maze, a zoo area and children's play facilities, and in summer visitors can dress in period costume to tour the château. Entry costs about EUR15. It is about 50 km from Cheverny, and the area produces the pyramid-shaped goat's milk cheese that shares its name.
Opening hours
Late Mar to Nov, about 10:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- ZooParc de Beauval
- Château de Cheverny
- Château de Beauregard
- Château de Chambord
- Maison de la Magie Robert-Houdin
- Château de Blois
- Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire
- Château de Chenonceau