Gien Castle - Hunting Museum

A princely castle on the royal river...
Built at the end of the 15th century on the ruins of a medieval structure, it is the first castle on the Loire River due to its geographical position, majestically overlooking the river. Its distinctive red and black brick architecture reflects its unique character. Anne de Beaujeu opened the building to the outside world by adding large windows, thus bringing the spirit of the Renaissance into the architecture and showcasing its princely splendor.
After passing through the hands of various lords, the castle was purchased by the Loiret Department in 1823 and converted into a civic building, successively housing the sub-prefecture, the courthouse, and the prison.
One can admire the vast stone fireplaces and the oak timber frame, known as the "inverted ship's hull" roof structure, in the Alexandre-François Desportes room, which testifies to the quality of the craftsmanship of the period.

The Museum of Hunting History and Wildlife Art:
Located in a region particularly rich in game, the Château de Gien lends itself perfectly to housing collections dedicated to different hunting methods and the arts inspired by them. The museum opened its doors in 1952, its collections taking up residence in the building and revealing their wealth in decorative arts, painting, and, of course, wildlife art in sculpture.