Château de Valençay
Château de Valençay
4
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Le domaine de Valençay est un haut lieu du patrimoine français, riche d’une histoire singulière qui débuta à la Renaissance avec la famille d’Estampes avant d’être la demeure de l’illustre Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, diplomate hors pair et ministre de Napoléon. Le château est doté d’un riche mobilier historique et bénéficie d’un grand parc d’une cinquantaine d’hectares faisant alterner jardins et domaine forestier. Il joua également un rôle important durant la seconde guerre mondiale en tant que dépôt des œuvres d’art du Louvre. Le château est animé aujourd’hui par la volonté de partager une expérience unique avec les visiteurs qui apprécieront l’art de vivre dans toutes ses composantes ainsi que les vibrations d’un lieu vivant. Le château de Valençay fait partie des grands sites du Val de Loire.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Popular mentions
4.0
868 reviews
Excellent
349
Very good
357
Average
114
Poor
35
Terrible
13
Stefan C
Limoges, France136 contributions
Jun 2021
Visited at the end of June 2021, you get the wow factor as you approach the Castle from the front.
Inside, disappointed to find in the upstairs gallery artifacts still in boxes unpacked and empty picture frames.
Externally the rear/side gardens lacked any colour and the lawns were half cut, yes I know there must be cutbacks due to the pandemic but if you are going to charge full price then at least make an effort.
Inside, disappointed to find in the upstairs gallery artifacts still in boxes unpacked and empty picture frames.
Externally the rear/side gardens lacked any colour and the lawns were half cut, yes I know there must be cutbacks due to the pandemic but if you are going to charge full price then at least make an effort.
Written June 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DGarethOwen
Edinburgh, UK208 contributions
Jul 2019
We spent a delightful whole-day visit to the chateau in early July and were amazed to find that there were so few visitors (perhaps because it is a little distance from the other chateaux of the Loire). The chateau is quite beautiful with extensive gardens and grounds. We were impressed with the range of architecture dating from the 16th Century, both Renaissance and Classical. The audio guides (included in the entrance fee and in many languages) provided a fascinating glimpse into the lives of its many owners, in particular the renowned statesman Prince Talleyrand, who became Napoleon’ Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Many of the audio clips were taken from Talleyrand’s many writings. There are extensive walks through the grounds. Of particular interest are the wine cellars and the kitchens - made famous by Talleyrand’s chef Marie-Antoine. From 1808 until 1813, Ferdinand VII of Spain and his family were kept under house arrest in the château. A theatre was built for his entertainment. This has been beautifully restored and can be visited on guided tours daily. It also is used for events during the Summer.
Written September 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Minackman
Bridport, UK206 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
I had for years associated Valencay with the delicious cheese of the same name which, unsurprisingly, was on the menu of the chateau restaurant where we ate before our visit.
The chateau itself is architecturally interesting, well maintained and furnished throughout. Its most interesting period was during Talleyrand's ownership which began in 1803 and ended with his death in 1838. An immensely rich man from collecting France's taxes, even he must have blenched when "requested" to put up the deposed King of Spain who had been replaced by Napoleon's brother Joseph.
During the years the Spanish royals lived at Valencay they needed diversions and Talleyrand built a beautiful 200 seat theatre for them in 1808. There are separate escorted visits to it which we found particularly interesting not least because original stage settings are in place.
Another larger than life star of his day associated with Valencay is Carême, "King of chefs and chef of kings". His kitchens are splendid.
The chateau itself is architecturally interesting, well maintained and furnished throughout. Its most interesting period was during Talleyrand's ownership which began in 1803 and ended with his death in 1838. An immensely rich man from collecting France's taxes, even he must have blenched when "requested" to put up the deposed King of Spain who had been replaced by Napoleon's brother Joseph.
During the years the Spanish royals lived at Valencay they needed diversions and Talleyrand built a beautiful 200 seat theatre for them in 1808. There are separate escorted visits to it which we found particularly interesting not least because original stage settings are in place.
Another larger than life star of his day associated with Valencay is Carême, "King of chefs and chef of kings". His kitchens are splendid.
Written May 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello and thank you for your commenteaire full of greed.
Excuse my English who is not ideal.
Did you buy our book in English in the collection "Itinéraires" aux éditions du Patrimoine.
We wish you a good summer
cordially
Written July 15, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dine Out?
Europe224 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Structurally impressive to see but gardens have been let go. Not nearly on a par with its smaller neighbours. Staff in the Orangerie show little engagement, no welcome which given the high price to dine there is poor. Being incapable of looking you in the eye doesn't sit well with me.
House shabby but maybe that's the look they're after. Signs of wear and te
ar sadly. Music room is lovely though and furniture collection impressive.
. Show on the cellar wall a nice touch.
Delivery is from the front it seems and we had the pleasure of a ford transit van adorning the entrance to the house on
arrival.
A mixed bag. Maybe with a little more tlc and polish it could really shine.
House shabby but maybe that's the look they're after. Signs of wear and te
ar sadly. Music room is lovely though and furniture collection impressive.
. Show on the cellar wall a nice touch.
Delivery is from the front it seems and we had the pleasure of a ford transit van adorning the entrance to the house on
arrival.
A mixed bag. Maybe with a little more tlc and polish it could really shine.
Written August 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aa27
Lausanne, Switzerland529 contributions
Jun 2012 • Couples
Big and scenic, good audio guide to all rooms and objects, plus some historical background. Pleasant walk in the park, with some stops to the entrance of some caves (not seen any bat) and an old tavern, used by the royal Spanish prisoners during their captivity.
Pity that the deers were too far to be seen. Others farm animals more approachable.
Funny maze with questions to open doors and deforming mirrors (there was nobody): for children and children in heart.
Pity that the deers were too far to be seen. Others farm animals more approachable.
Funny maze with questions to open doors and deforming mirrors (there was nobody): for children and children in heart.
Written July 1, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taoist56
Traveller in France8 contributions
May 2012 • Couples
Highly recommend this self-guided tour with free audio guide in excellent English. It will take you room by room and let you choose extra information for items that interest you, so you can move as quickly through or as slowly as you want. The chateau is also open throughout the lunch hour; always a good way to avoid crowds in France. Kitchen and wine cave are now open down below the house and hopefully more rooms will slowly be opened for tour (especially in the Renaissance tower.) Presents an honest history of Talleyrand; not whitewashed. Also an important tour for Napolean fans.
Written May 11, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin Hunt
Looe, UK24 contributions
Jun 2011 • Couples
I paraphrase Napoleon Bonaparte who is supposed to have said the above in respect of his Foreign Minister Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord just before he bought Valencay for him in 1803 for the princely sum of 1.6 million francs. Talleyrand was a revolutionary aristocrat, womaniser, erstwhile priest, inveterate schemer and master diplomat who worked for four kings, one Emperor and a revolutionary government. Bonaparte both needed and hated Talleyrand once famously describing him (apparently in his presence) as a "s**t in a silk stocking".
The oldest part of the château was built in the early 13th century but is now seen as a mixture of renaissance grandeur influenced by Chambord (wasn't everywhere?) and spectacular 18th century neoclassical remodelling. The exterior is one of the most spectacular of the Loire château (although it it technically 'just' in the department of Berry).
The interior is however the house of Talleyrand. Containing much original furniture and paintings that I think have remained in situ as much due to the great man's own survival instincts as anything else. The audio guide gives you an interesting tour of the rooms, descriptions of the more interesting furniture and paintings (rather than the tedious exhaustive lists of every bit of china you get on some guides) mixed with anecdotes about Talleyrand and his family.
The gardens are extensive and contain a huge maze, a farm where children can annoy small animals and fine views across the valley. There is a magnificent wild flower garden in the Spring that unfortunately we saw in it's fallow state so that my original impression was that that the grass had not been cut....
During our visit to the Loire my wife and I visited many of the château on the usual 'list'; Chambord, Chenonceau, Cheverny, Blois, Angers etc. Valencay is not on it.
It should be.
It's without doubt the best.
The oldest part of the château was built in the early 13th century but is now seen as a mixture of renaissance grandeur influenced by Chambord (wasn't everywhere?) and spectacular 18th century neoclassical remodelling. The exterior is one of the most spectacular of the Loire château (although it it technically 'just' in the department of Berry).
The interior is however the house of Talleyrand. Containing much original furniture and paintings that I think have remained in situ as much due to the great man's own survival instincts as anything else. The audio guide gives you an interesting tour of the rooms, descriptions of the more interesting furniture and paintings (rather than the tedious exhaustive lists of every bit of china you get on some guides) mixed with anecdotes about Talleyrand and his family.
The gardens are extensive and contain a huge maze, a farm where children can annoy small animals and fine views across the valley. There is a magnificent wild flower garden in the Spring that unfortunately we saw in it's fallow state so that my original impression was that that the grass had not been cut....
During our visit to the Loire my wife and I visited many of the château on the usual 'list'; Chambord, Chenonceau, Cheverny, Blois, Angers etc. Valencay is not on it.
It should be.
It's without doubt the best.
Written August 17, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aburel
Bucharest, Romania3,168 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
Went for the historical reasons aka Talleyrand based on a Michelin *** but I can say it was okish... the grounds are nice but not wow, inside has a pretty spartan look but luckily there were some travel souvenirs of the famous owner. Especially the staircase tapestry. Otherwise, skipping is not a big trouble.
Written August 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RJoker
Geneva, Switzerland85 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
This castle is memorable because it does not resemble to other castles of Loire. The castle has a big territory with forest and playground for kids, with some domestic animals and a maze (real maze with questions to answer to open the gates and advance). And what is important there is less crowd comparing to other more famous castles around.
At the same time, unfortunately, many parts (maze, restaurant hall) look decrepit and not well maintained. And I would avoid the restaurant if you see it at least half full - it does not handle the load and the service becomes terribly slow.
At the same time, unfortunately, many parts (maze, restaurant hall) look decrepit and not well maintained. And I would avoid the restaurant if you see it at least half full - it does not handle the load and the service becomes terribly slow.
Written April 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alessio19750404
Rome, Italy12 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
The castle deserves a visit. There are many historical themes inside.
I reccommend to take audio guide.
Only thing i did not.like were the gardens as there were no flowers and green. Maybbe in August was under maintenance.
I reccommend to take audio guide.
Only thing i did not.like were the gardens as there were no flowers and green. Maybbe in August was under maintenance.
Written August 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonjour,
Je voudrais savoir combien de temps il faut compter pour visiter le château et si les chiens sont autorisés.
Merci d'avance à ceux qui pourront me répondre.
Written May 13, 2021
Château de Valençay
Valencay, France
Bonjour,
Il faut compter 2 à 3 heures pour le château et les jardins. Comptez une heure et demi/deux heures supplémentaires si vous faîtes le tour complet du parc !
Written April 3, 2024
Y a t il une visite guidée ?
Nous serons un groupe de 20 personnes le dimanche 13 octobre matin.
Written July 24, 2019
Bonjour,
Merci pour votre intér^$et et mes excuses pour cette réponse tardive.
Nous pouvons vous proposer une visite guidée.
Merci de prendre contact avec Stéphanie Malet, responsable des groupes : groupes@chateau-valencay
et/ou 02 54 00 41 82
Cordialement,
Frédéric Loison
Written July 30, 2019
It was built in 1550; however, Talleyrand purchased it in 1803 and it is decorated as it was when he occupied it.
Written February 25, 2015
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