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Château de Tanlay
Château de Tanlay
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Temporarily closedClosed until Mar 31, 2024
About
Château de Tanlay : a renaissance gem in Burgundy dating from the 16th/17th century, built in the heart of the village by the family of the Admiral de Coligny, finished by a relative of Mazarin, it has remained in the same family for three centuries. Remarkable architecture, peaceful walk along the canal with fabulous view of the castle, Renaissance frescoes and trompe-l'oeils, furnished and decorated rooms.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
136 reviews
Excellent
67
Very good
43
Average
19
Poor
4
Terrible
3
BarbaraEdinburgh
Edinburgh77 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
The compulsory guided tour was all in French, but non-French speakers were given a printed guide which described the various rooms. I found some of the exhibits really interesting eg the huge 1734 map of Paris, which was of interest to many of the French guests too, and I really liked the ballroom which had amazing troupe d'oeil painted on the walls and ceiling. If anything I felt the tour was a bit rushed, with the guide switching off the lights to move us on, as the next tour started exactly an hour after ours. However I enjoyed it a lot. I think children would be bored though.
Would also recommend the Chateau de Tanlay Golf Course which adjoins - we played nine holes in the morning, lunch at the bar/cafe du chateau just outside the chateau gates, then the tour of the chateau itself - a great combination of exercise and culture!
Would also recommend the Chateau de Tanlay Golf Course which adjoins - we played nine holes in the morning, lunch at the bar/cafe du chateau just outside the chateau gates, then the tour of the chateau itself - a great combination of exercise and culture!
Written July 29, 2013
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.
Amnon F
Tel Aviv District, Israel917 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
This castle has a very interesting entrance flagged from both sides by pagoda like towers. Inside you can only visit with a guide who leads you through the rooms and gives quiet a nice explanation as to the furniture but more to the essence of the epoque.
Maintenance of some rooms can be improved as paint is peeling off but on the whole an impressive Chateau which justifies the trip .
If you come in winter or even beginning of spring make sure you wear warm clothing as it is pretty cold and damp inside
Maintenance of some rooms can be improved as paint is peeling off but on the whole an impressive Chateau which justifies the trip .
If you come in winter or even beginning of spring make sure you wear warm clothing as it is pretty cold and damp inside
Written April 5, 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.
floramalone
London38 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
We visited Tanlay some years ago and were so frustrated by the gloomy entrance and dreary descriptions of the then (male - sorry!) guide (for example, he drew our attention to the "interesting" presence of the owner's Wellington boots in the hall!) that we escaped early in the tour and missed most of the visit.
We returned this week on a beautifully sunny day to find a (female) guide who did the tour in French but who spoke English and who did the tour with charm and energy. The downstairs entrance rooms had been beautifully restored and gave an excellent initial impression of the interior of the chateau. Of course some of the chateau is not in perfect condition but that is part of the charm - why go to a very old building and expect things to be shiny and as new? The rooms are beautiful and there are many interesting and historical things to see. Although one does not see the part of the chateau still lived in by the family, the tour rooms are very well maintained and attractive. We really enjoyed this tour and would highly recommend it. Nothing looks so nice as on a beautiful day so one has to bear this in mind if one goes on a dark, cold Burgundy day!
A suggestion for the owners is that in the summer months it might be very good to offer one or two tours a day in English, as there were many non-French visitors who did not speak French. The written guide is helpful but does not give the anecdotal charm given by our excellent guide.
We returned this week on a beautifully sunny day to find a (female) guide who did the tour in French but who spoke English and who did the tour with charm and energy. The downstairs entrance rooms had been beautifully restored and gave an excellent initial impression of the interior of the chateau. Of course some of the chateau is not in perfect condition but that is part of the charm - why go to a very old building and expect things to be shiny and as new? The rooms are beautiful and there are many interesting and historical things to see. Although one does not see the part of the chateau still lived in by the family, the tour rooms are very well maintained and attractive. We really enjoyed this tour and would highly recommend it. Nothing looks so nice as on a beautiful day so one has to bear this in mind if one goes on a dark, cold Burgundy day!
A suggestion for the owners is that in the summer months it might be very good to offer one or two tours a day in English, as there were many non-French visitors who did not speak French. The written guide is helpful but does not give the anecdotal charm given by our excellent guide.
Written August 22, 2014
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.
casden8
Spain214 contributions
Jul 2011 • Friends
The drive through countryside to Tanlay is breathtaking. The photographs of the Chateau on the website made us excited to visit a beautiful building. What a disappointment. I have to admit right here, we did not go inside after all.
We arrived just before the 3.15 tour and were immediately struck by the sense of decay and lack of care. The outside moat is dry, the inner moat's water is stagnant with green algae and weed and smells. Watch out for mosquitos! The building is crumbling and the courtyard where you are to wait for the tour guide has a bashed up sign telling you the times of visits. The tiling on the lovely towers on either side of the magnificent building are moss-covered and dull and chipped. I should have taken a photograph to compare with all the publicity photographs. We decided not to bother going in.
Off we went to the "Restaurant du Chateau" near the entrance to have a cup of tea. We noticed they advertised "Crepes" of five different varieties, so we ordered some. "I don't have any" the owner said!!! Why bother, I thought...... Why bother at all. Next time we will visit Ancy le Franc which is a chateau nearby and sounds and looks more promising.
We arrived just before the 3.15 tour and were immediately struck by the sense of decay and lack of care. The outside moat is dry, the inner moat's water is stagnant with green algae and weed and smells. Watch out for mosquitos! The building is crumbling and the courtyard where you are to wait for the tour guide has a bashed up sign telling you the times of visits. The tiling on the lovely towers on either side of the magnificent building are moss-covered and dull and chipped. I should have taken a photograph to compare with all the publicity photographs. We decided not to bother going in.
Off we went to the "Restaurant du Chateau" near the entrance to have a cup of tea. We noticed they advertised "Crepes" of five different varieties, so we ordered some. "I don't have any" the owner said!!! Why bother, I thought...... Why bother at all. Next time we will visit Ancy le Franc which is a chateau nearby and sounds and looks more promising.
Written July 19, 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.
Douglas A
Zurich, Switzerland364 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
We were almost the only folks on the mandatory tour, but a few more joined a little late. Normally the tours are in French only. Fortunately for us all the visitors spoke English and the guide was happy to use english. She gave us a great personalized tour of the chateau, talking a little about the construction, history, and people that lived there. It has uniquely carved stonework on the gatehouse and the pillars into the main courtyard that give it an almost Cambodian temple feel.
You see several bedrooms, the dining room, receptions rooms, "black and white" ball room, and a unique turret room with an unfinished panting of the family cast as figures from mythology.
Apparently the family still live there! Well worth a visit if you're in the area and hopefully you have the same guide we did! Thank you!
You see several bedrooms, the dining room, receptions rooms, "black and white" ball room, and a unique turret room with an unfinished panting of the family cast as figures from mythology.
Apparently the family still live there! Well worth a visit if you're in the area and hopefully you have the same guide we did! Thank you!
Written May 24, 2014
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.
Luba R
Barkan66 contributions
Sep 2015
A beautiful castle, nice park. The visit of the park and others buildings from outside,stables for instance is free of charge. Conversely the castle visit is expensive,it's only guided in French. They show you a little part inside the building ,and it's not very remarkable.
Written October 11, 2015
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.
EllieO
Near London, England58 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Tanlay Chateau is in a peaceful setting and has great charm. The architecture is exactly what you would expect of a typical french chateau. Tours are guided and at specific times. The ticket office opens shortly before the tour starts but you can wander around the courtyard area beforehand and admire the beautiful facade and surroundings. The tour is in French but you are given a basic guide in English. The tour takes you into a variety of rooms on three floors, including halls, salons, bedrooms, and galleries. Keep an eye out for the rather stern looking moose at the start! The decor is stately and it is nice to see rooms with lovely carpets, paintings and furniture. Even if you can't keep up with the French guide, you have plenty to look at and admire.
Written August 14, 2014
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.
Burgundyfan100
USA44 contributions
Sep 2012 • Friends
Beautiful chateau surrounded by moat, lovely outbuildings - and good long walk along canal outside wall. Interesting history, lovely garden viewed through the hall of heads. Felt as though the family had arranged everything for us to see on the visit. Particularly fascinating room at top of tower.
Written October 29, 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.
Jason M
Pottstown, PA175 contributions
Aug 2011
We visited the 16th century Tanlay chateau as a family with our four young daughters and were inspired by the grandeur and history of Tanlay. The tour guide was friendly, engaging, knowledgeable.
We loved the moat, the architecture and the interior decor - so many works of art and furniture! Amazing that Tanlay has remained in the same family since 1705! This authentic historical gem offers a picturesque setting and old world charm.
We loved the moat, the architecture and the interior decor - so many works of art and furniture! Amazing that Tanlay has remained in the same family since 1705! This authentic historical gem offers a picturesque setting and old world charm.
Written August 24, 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.
Bandit-One
Lucerne, Switzerland7,836 contributions
Aug 2021
Came to the small town of Tanlay for the chateau. We brought our Bulldog with, so we just wen for the exteriour visit. Be aware of the opening times (it's closed for lunchtime) when you visit.
The chateau was completed around in the middle of the 17th century. Even though construction have begun almost 100 years earlier. It's been in the hands of the same family since the 18th Century and is still owned by them.
It's a really nice chateau. Maybe not the biggest you've seen, but definitely one of the prettiest. It's a real looker. With the moat surrounding it it's a picture-perfect castle.
Make sure to go for a walk in the park/woods behind the castle. It's an easy, flat walk along the water. Dogs allowed here as well. A nice and relaxing spot with only few visitors.
Staff here was very nice and friendly, very welcoming. And 3 Euros for the exteriour visit a real steal. It takes a lot of money and manpower to take care of this chateau and its surroundings.
A very rewarding visit. Really enjoyed it. If you arrive by car you can park for free along the main road, just 1-2min away from the chateau.
The chateau was completed around in the middle of the 17th century. Even though construction have begun almost 100 years earlier. It's been in the hands of the same family since the 18th Century and is still owned by them.
It's a really nice chateau. Maybe not the biggest you've seen, but definitely one of the prettiest. It's a real looker. With the moat surrounding it it's a picture-perfect castle.
Make sure to go for a walk in the park/woods behind the castle. It's an easy, flat walk along the water. Dogs allowed here as well. A nice and relaxing spot with only few visitors.
Staff here was very nice and friendly, very welcoming. And 3 Euros for the exteriour visit a real steal. It takes a lot of money and manpower to take care of this chateau and its surroundings.
A very rewarding visit. Really enjoyed it. If you arrive by car you can park for free along the main road, just 1-2min away from the chateau.
Written April 8, 2022
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.
eschtudio
Paraiba Do Sul, RJ
Are dogs allowed on the outside premises for a walk around the chateau?
Château de Tanlay
Tanlay, France
Hello. Yes, dogs are allowed on leash outside in the park and for little dogs, it's even possible inside the castle, in a bag or in the arms during the guided tour.
Don't hesitate to visit our website for opening hours informations.
Best regards,
The team of the château de Tanlay
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Frequently Asked Questions about Château de Tanlay
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