Château de Sully-sur-Loire
A moated medieval castle and the residence of the Duke of Sully, a minister of Henry IV. Its wooden roof frame is a masterpiece of craftsmanship.
Construction of the Château de Sully-sur-Loire began in the late 14th century. Surrounded by a wide moat, its round towers and walls reflected in the water, it is one of the best-preserved fortified medieval castles in the Loire Valley. In the 17th century the Duke of Sully, Henry IV's finance minister, bought the castle and remodeled it, and the interior has been restored to show his residence. The 14th-century oak roof truss above the top floor of the main building is shaped like an upturned ship's hull and is astonishing in scale. Admission costs about 10 euros, and the castle is closed on Mondays in winter. It lies about 45 km east of Orléans and can be reached by car or by cycling the Loire à Vélo route.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–18:00 (shorter in winter; closed in January)
Nearby sights
- Abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire (Fleury Abbey)
- Oratory of Germigny-des-Prés
- Château & Park of Châteauneuf-sur-Loire
- Château de Gien
- Château de Chamerolles
- Pont-canal de Briare
- Château de La Ferté-Saint-Aubin
- Parc Floral de la Source