Château de Gien
A red-brick château built in the late 15th century by Anne de Beaujeu, the starting point of the Loire Valley château chain, now a hunting, history and natural history museum.
The Château de Gien was built in 1484 by Anne de Beaujeu, daughter of Louis XI. Its red and black bricks form geometric patterns, and it is regarded as the eastern starting point of the Loire Valley château group. Inside, the museum of hunting, history and natural history displays hunting-themed paintings, weapons and crafts. The old Gien bridge below the château and the riverside scenery are very photogenic, and the town is also home to the famous Gien faience factory and its museum. About 65 km from Orléans, the château makes a good day trip combined with the Pont-canal de Briare.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–18:00 (closed Tue in winter)
Nearby sights
- Pont-canal de Briare
- Château de Sully-sur-Loire
- Abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire (Fleury Abbey)
- Oratory of Germigny-des-Prés
- Château & Park of Châteauneuf-sur-Loire
- Château de Chamerolles
- Château de La Ferté-Saint-Aubin
- Parc Floral de la Source