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Balleroy
Things to Do in Balleroy
Chateau de Balleroy
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Chateau de Balleroy

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See all things to do
Chateau de Balleroy
4
#1 of 1 things to do in Balleroy
Historic Sites
10:45 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:45 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:45 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:45 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:45 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:45 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:45 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:45 AM - 6:00 PM
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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
160 reviews
Excellent
63
Very good
60
Average
19
Poor
10
Terrible
8
NormandieFoodie
Courson, France9 contributions
First visit to Balleroy
Oct 2023 • Friends
We did the guided tour and our guide Louc was excellent and all the staff very friendly. The interior of the chateau was amazing and the artworks and decorations interesting. The roof was being replaced at the time we visited so the exterior was covered with screening and scaffolding and we didn't get the outside views.
The balloon museum and the stories of Malcolm Forbes intriguing.
Written October 22, 2023
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.
Julia M
Weymouth100 contributions
An excellent visit
Oct 2023 • Couples
We had a lovely visit to the Chateau of Balleroy today. We started by taking a walk around the very impressive grounds with views to the forest. We then had a personal tour of the chateau. Our guide was very knowledgeable, and gave us a lively insight into the history of the chateau, its rooms, artefacts and stories. He spoke excellent English and made the visit very memorable. We also visited the interesting museum with the theme of hot air balloons.
Written October 27, 2023
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.
S-thallerton
Northallerton, UK40 contributions
Lots to do and see in Normandy
Sep 2023 • Couples
Quiet, sunny Sunday. Nothing too much trouble for them. Had a sight tour around with guide, and as it was quiet we were the only two on that particular guided tour, so he (Lukea?) spoke excellent English. Lovely basic cafe and very clean facilities. Gardens and woodland to explore. Excellent history. Amazing house and artwork. Our King (when he was Prince of Wales) stayed there in the year 2000 and we saw that room, and the tree he planted as a gift.
Written September 24, 2023
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.
Berdseye
Calgary, Canada84 contributions
Balleroy, More Then Just A Chateau
Jul 2011 • Solo
Cheateau Balleroy, just a short drive from Bayeux is worth a visit as it is more then just a Chateau. The Cheateau is owned by the Forbes family in America and allow it to be visited from June to October.

Tours are conducted in French and English, and printed commentary are available in German, Spanish, Italian and Dutch. Unfortunately all parts of the Chateau are not available for viewing and you can not take photos inside, but are allowed on the grounds. The house was constructed in such a way that it lookes larger then what it is. But the grounds are very beautiful. It was built in 1631 and and the nearby village is worth a look as well. It was deisgned with purpose and inspired the architect Francois Mansart to do other historical towns. One including Versilles.

Inside you will see tiny bedrooms, but well decorated. Paintings on display are by artists such as Vignon, Bearbrum, Vernet, Baudrey and athe Count Albert de Balleroy himself who shared a studio with Monet.

The reason why I say it is more then just a Chateau is its museum. Le Musee des Ballons. It documents the history of balloning to present day. I myself did not view the museum due to time constrants. After visiting Balleroy, the tea room attached to the ticket office serves some wonderful desserts.

Closed on Tuesdays and holidays. Check out times of tours on it's website. I just missed one and had to wait for the next. The Chateau can only be seen by guided tour (afterall it is someones house------ ).
Written August 8, 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.
gleninkent
Ashford, UK40 contributions
What could have been!!!!!!!1
Aug 2015 • Family
Threadbare carpets,poor state of the ceiling, cracks on walls..do I reaaly need to go on....no money or very little money spent on maintaining the chateau...typical American attitude/mentality of sweating an asset, I am surprised the Forbes family did not stick in a Macdonalds franchise on the ground somewhere....and the ceiling painted with hot air ballons .....what on earth where they thinking about....I suppose I have English Heritage and National trust to thank....that they look after our heritage much more carefully and a lot of stewardship.....

Very much new money....but no class,culture or background to look after such a beautiful Chateau.....one just hopes they sell it one day who can look after it properly......the original owner who built this must be turning in his grave......
Written August 24, 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.
Chatman_Guadeloupe
Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe7 contributions
Ballons at Balleroy
The Chateaux de Belleroy is the property of the Forbes familly and houses a museum of ballooning which was the passion of the late papa Forbes. Great museum, beutiful house and gardens with guided visits of the chateau. There is an annual gathering of hot air ballonists from arround the world.
Written December 12, 2007
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.
Paul K
Worcester, UK440 contributions
Differant from your normal Chateau's.........
Sep 2016 • Couples
The people, the Chateau ( Hunting Lodge ), the park walk, and the Balloon museum are unique as far as French Chateau's go. The historical story of the Chateau, interlaced with the Balloon museum, with a not to be missed film, and the park walks with the interesting use of old gates, hurdles etc.and the views back to the Chateau, take your camera................
The walk up to the Chateau looks like forever, from the car parks, but the wife did it, one week before her hip replacement, and back.............
Written October 23, 2016
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.
Cruiserchick2248
Surfers Paradise, Australia162 contributions
Stunning chateau
May 2015 • Couples
We enjoyed our tour with a lovely guide who gave the commentary in French and then repeated it in English. The house is well kept and is a private home for the Forbes family when they are in France - so it is not always open to the public - we were shown the bed where Mick Jagger and Prince Charles have slept when they were guests here.
The grounds are beautifully maintained and it is located in the lovely village of Balleroy near Bayeux. Well worth a visit but be aware of the long driveway and staircase inside for those with mobility issues.
Written May 2, 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.
Noddy31
Worcester, UK42 contributions
Disappointing
Sep 2014 • Couples
If you visit this chateau make sure that the family is not in residence or that there are no guests. When we visited we were shown two halls and two rooms and that was it! When we queried this we were informed that we could only see these rooms as there were guests staying - we did receive a 1 euro reduction (reduced to 6 euros). Poor value and very disappointing.
Written September 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.
Chateau-Balleroy
Dear Noddy 31, We apologize that you didn't enjoy your visit. The chateau is a private place so, unfortunatly, sometimes we have to close exceptionally some rooms. But we always inform about the closing days on our website, don't miss to consult it and the section "event/actualité". Once again, sorry for your disapointing visit... Best regards,
Written September 16, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stephen F
London, UK28 contributions
Château de Balleroy is a gem and so beautiful
Sep 2017 • Friends
The Chateau is beautifully maintained, the gardens and grounds perfect and the small number of staff very hard working. It is true that changes to the décor were made under the influence of Forbes the American Billionaire and this has been mentioned by other reviewers, but his changes are small, personal and easily removable. Lets face it, over history, wars, restorations and other owners personal choices, Château de Balleroy has gone through far worse. Every historic building has seen change and a lack of maintenance but Château de Balleroy is still there, mainly in tact and Forbes money has replaced so much, restored historic elements, paintings and plasterworks that we should visit and enjoy.
Written September 23, 2017
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.
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Chateau de Balleroy - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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Chateau de Balleroy is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:45 AM - 6:00 PM
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