Castle Tour
Fantastic visit to Gizeux Castle
Touraine, Loire Valley, France, Europe. Touraine AngevineDescription
Visit the Château de Gizeux, a must-see site between Langeais and Saumur, what to see and do in Touraine Angevine:
Gizeux Castle - Cultural visits - Description:
Discover the Château de Gizeux: A Renaissance Gem in Touraine. Nestled in the heart of the Touraine countryside, the Château de Gizeux is an architectural gem from the 15th and 16th centuries, blending Renaissance elegance with medieval charm. A listed Historic Monument, this privately owned château, continuously inhabited by the same family since 1450, opens its doors for immersive guided tours. Upon arrival, visitors are captivated by the harmonious façade, adorned with turrets, sculpted dormer windows, and pink brickwork, typical of the Renaissance. Inside, the exquisitely furnished salons, monumental fireplaces, and period woodwork transport visitors back in time. The Ancestors' Gallery , with its family portraits, recounts the history of the owners through the centuries. The gardens, inspired by Le Nôtre's designs, offer a bucolic stroll among flowerbeds, shaded paths, and water features. The 15-hectare park, dotted with centuries-old cedars and statues, invites leisurely strolls. A visit to the Château de Gizeux often includes captivating anecdotes, such as the story of the Queen of Sheba's chamber , or the secrets of the medieval foundations. Temporary exhibitions and cultural events (concerts, craft markets) regularly enliven the estate. Easily accessible from Tours (30 minutes by car), Gizeux charms visitors with its authenticity and unspoiled setting. A must-see for lovers of history, art, and nature.
A journey through time, between stone and greenery in Touraine Angevine. "In this place where time seems to have frozen in an eternal twilight of glory and grandeur, the Château de Gizeux stands, like a colossus of tufa and slate, on the languid banks of the Loire. Its history, as turbulent as the capricious waters of the royal river, stretches for nearly a thousand years, like an epic where the splendor of the great and the shadows of forgotten legends intertwine. Founded in the 11th century by the lords of Gizeux, this castle, originally a simple medieval fortress, was the stage for the feudal struggles that tore apart Anjou and Touraine. The walls, as thick as the secrets of the ancients, have witnessed the parade of knights' armor, the intrigues of barons, and oaths broken under the complicit moon. In the 15th century , the illustrious and warlike Bueil family transformed it into a lordly residence, where it was said that the festivities They lasted as long as summer nights, and the wine flowed more freely than the tears of the vanquished. But it was in the 16th century that Gizeux experienced its golden age, when Jean de Bueil , Joan of Arc's comrade-in-arms, left his mark. The towers were heightened, the rooms adorned with wood paneling and monumental fireplaces, as if to defy the heavens themselves. The finely sculpted, ogee windows allowed a golden light to filter onto the tapestries depicting mythological hunts and epic battles. The château then became a jewel of the Renaissance, where humanists and poets came seeking inspiration between sumptuous banquets. The following centuries saw Gizeux pass through the hands of noble families, each adding their own touch: here, a French-style park designed by Le Nôtre; there, a chapel where prayers mingled with the whispers of the ghosts of former lords. In the 19th century , the château, somewhat Neglected, it was saved by enthusiasts who restored its magnificent appearance, repairing the roofs, reinforcing the dungeons, and reviving the gardens where, it is said, the roses still carry the scent of tournaments of yesteryear. Today, Gizeux is visited like reading a Gothic novel: every stone whispers a story, every room hides a mystery. The vaulted dungeons , the grand state rooms , and the Guards' Chamber , where one can still imagine the clash of swords, make it a place where the past, far from being dead, watches over and waits for the visitor to dare to cross the threshold into its legends.
Prices and visiting days:
OPENING SUMMER 2026
Before launching the big summer Hac'spedition, the castle is OPEN by appointment for groups (10 people or more). School trips, associations, clubs, large families… you are welcome for a private visit! Personalized guided tours available year-round, by reservation.
Guided tour times:
10am – 1pm, last tour departs at 12pm; 2pm – 6pm, last tour departs at 5pm
Visit to Gizeux Castle, CLOSED ON SATURDAYS
Visit to Gizeux Castle - Prices:
Individuals:
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Adult Admission €11 Reduced admission price – minors aged 13 to 18 / students / disabled persons / job seekers, upon presentation of proof €8 Group rate admission for more than 20 people, reservation required €8 Child entrance – ages 4 to 12 €6 Toddler entrance – under 4 years old Free Discovery workshops for children – price per child aged 4 to 12
€4.50
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Gizeux Castle
<p class="MsoNormal">This imposing castle, built in the 14th, 16th, and 18th centuries, is the <b>largest inhabited residence in the Touraine Angevine region</b> . Home to two of the finest galleries in France, the Château de Gizeux is a <b>true treasure of the Loire Valley</b> , both for its rich history and for the numerous activities and events that bring it to life today. The oldest parts of the castle are a reminder that <b>the family of the poet Joachim du Bellay owned Gizeux for 350 years</b> . During these three centuries, the Du Bellay family made numerous alterations to the building, transforming it from medieval austerity to the charm of the Renaissance. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-36675" src="https://www.chateaux-france.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ADT-Touraine-JC-Coutant-2030-35-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-36676" src="https://www.chateaux-france.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ADT-Touraine-JC-Coutant-2030-2-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Among the many rooms in the château, two are particularly remarkable: <b>the François I Gallery and the Gallery of the King's Castles</b> . The former, created at the end of Henry IV's reign by Italian artists, features <b>numerous paintings and mythological scenes, remarkably well-preserved</b> and protected during the French Revolution. The Gallery of the King's Castles, a true source of pride for the monument, was created around 1680 and boasts <b>no less than 400 square meters of painted walls showcasing royal castles</b> and charming bucolic scenes. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-36678" src="https://www.chateaux-france.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ADT-Touraine-JC-Coutant-2030-39-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-36677" src="https://www.chateaux-france.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ADT-Touraine-JC-Coutant-2030-54-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> The visit also offers a glimpse <b>into the heart of the 18th century with the discovery of the Grand Outbuildings</b> and the smaller salons that make up the ground floor of the main house. These rooms feature marquetry furniture and several sets of <b>Louis XV armchairs, listed</b> as historical monuments. The former kitchen with its impressive copper collection, the stables, and the vaulted cellars reveal <b>the inner workings of daily life in a large rural château</b> and the more recent history of this grand family home. The visit concludes with the discovery of the <b>15th-century chapel, currently undergoing restoration</b> , the Orangery-Tea Room, and the secluded garden hidden within the buildings. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-36673" src="https://www.chateaux-france.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Gizeux_Chateau_de_Gizeux_Exterieurs_credit_ottn_L_Mach_WEB-14-300x165.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="165" /><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-36679" src="https://www.chateaux-france.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/15-aout-Antoine-Despres-300x165.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="165" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> The owners of Château de Gizeux, Géraud and Stéphanie de Laffon, invite you to <b>stay in this unique setting</b> , enjoying gîtes and bed and breakfast rooms furnished with old-world charm and modern comforts. They also bring this precious heritage to life daily through a <b>variety of fun and engaging activities for all ages</b> : self-guided or guided tours, costumed or storytelling, daytime or candlelight tours, escape games, and historical festivals. The numerous workshops offered to children (costumed tours, storytelling and snacks, bread oven demonstrations, heraldry) and the events organized throughout the year ensure that <b>the vibrant atmosphere that has always defined this incredible Château de Gizeux</b> continues to thrive.</p>