Sleeping in an authentic Renaissance castle and letting yourself be impregnated by the weight of the centuries is thefabulous experience we had at the Chissay castle.
Back on this beautiful night in pictures, with all the useful information and our opinion if you want to live the time of a dream in the 16th century!
This review is completely independent, we stayed anonymously and paid our bill in full.
Why stay at the Château de Chissay
After our night at the Château de Chissay, we can say that it is a truly magical place:
- by its architecture: a preserved medieval keep, an authentically renaissance castle body, with round towers, courtyard, vaulted gallery... and even an 18th century chapel nestled in the heart of the castle, on the2nd floor...
- by its decoration, which plunges you in the atmosphere of the castles, dark and luminous at the same time, so favourable to the silence and the meditation.
- by thetotal experience it offers: the night, but also the glass of wine (and sparkling apple juice, a nod to the Maître d'Hôtel) tasted under the vaults of the gallery and the meal served in the great hall of the castle.
- for its comfort: offering all the services of a 4 star hotel, you can even swim in a large swimming pool in summer with the castle as a natural setting.
Just magic we said!
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Is the Château de Chissay worth it? Our review
Of the various chateaux-hotels in which we have had the chance to stay in the Loire Valley, this is definitely one of those that offers the closest experience to what we imagine theatmosphere of the Renaissance to be.
No false notes, the rooms are an invitation to silence and introspection, without television or wifi. We feel the weight of the centuries around us and dive with delight into a restful sleep.
The hotel experience was complemented by a catering service completely in keeping with the place. The gothic decor is grandiose but not grandiloquent, just like the menu which leans towards regional flavors, without showing off.
Really, for us, a night at the Chateau de Chissay is a must in the Loire Valley!
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Decoration and atmosphere
The decoration is literally "immersive". The colors are deep, the wooden furniture carved, the lights dimmed ... The cardinal red of our room highlighted the woodwork of the room. The canopy bed transports you to another century. The fabrics are matching, they do not swear with the decor, without smelling mothballs!
The bathroom is in contrast to the bedroom: very bright and spacious, uncluttered but really nice. A bit of a counterpoint to our modern housing!
The hotel offers several exceptional and "unusual" rooms:
- 2 suites served by elevator with a small living room in the adjoining tower, which can be converted into a children's room.
- 1 troglodyte suite in a space of 92m2 dug in the tufa stone.
- 1 Jacuzzi suite, with a boat hull frame.
- 1 Dungeon suite, on 2 levels separated by a glass floor, with a 360 degree view on the valley.
History
From Robert de L'Isle, the first Lord of the fief of Chissay to Philippe Savry, the current owner, 8 centuries of history await you:
- The first castle is indeed a fortress built between the 11th and 13th centuries by the family of the lords of Isle-Bouchard who controlled a significant part of western Touraine, on the borders of Anjou. The high round crenellated tower, an unusual shape for the Middle Ages, is the last remaining feature of this period. It is now used as a dungeon.
- In the 15th century, Pierre Bérard, maître d'hôtel of King Charles VII, Lord of Chissay and Bléré, and Treasurer of France, undertook to improve the construction of the castle. It is the golden age of the castle which receives on several occasions the visits of the kings of France, Charles VII and Louis XI.
- During the 16th and 17th centuries, the various owners who succeeded one another transformed the old fortress into a Renaissance castle, with the construction of the magnificent gallery composed of five large sculpted arches.
- In 1767, the Duke of Choiseul ordered the construction of a chapel on thesecond floor of the castle, which he dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi.
- The gardens were created by the Gaigneron de Marolles family in the first half of the 18th century.
- While the castle continues to change hands regularly, in June 1940, it hosts some members of the French government, including Paul Reynaud, President of the Council and General de Gaulle, Under Secretary of War.
- Having become dilapidated, the castle was bought in 1985 by Philippe Savry, CEO of "hôtels particuliers", who undertook the renovation work in 1986 to turn it into the hotel-restaurant in which we stayed for our greatest pleasure!
a little more patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in the Loire Valley a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
If you wish to be informed of the publication of our guide on the Loire, register:
The breakfast
We stay in the atmosphere of the castle, with this really succulent buffet breakfast , taken in a room as grandiose as ever, with a direct view on the Park.
The advantage of having a restaurant in the hotel that can also concoct its favorite recipes to start the day well!
The equipment
The swimming pool is not heated and is open from the beginning of May to the end of September.
Other services
Spa in some rooms.
Bike rental.
Canoeing on the Cher river.
Price range
Well, we were particularly surprised by the price. Perhaps our best quality/experience/price ratio in the Loire to date for the hotel part.
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Practical information about the Château de Chissay
Opening period
The Château de Chissay and its restaurant are open from mid-March to mid-November.
Where is the Château de Chissay
- The nearest city is Blois, which is 40 minutes away
- Driving time from Tours : 45 minutes
- Driving time from Orleans : 1 h 30
- Driving time from Angers : 1 h 40
- Driving time from Nantes : 2 h 50
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
How to get there
The access to the castle is by car. The nearest train station is Amboise (20 minutes), but you are only 40 minutes away from the well-served TGV station in Tours.
Parking
Free parking is available at the top of the access road to the castle.
Is the Château de Chissay family friendly?
The castle can be a great experience to live with your children. Several rooms offer the possibility of adding a bed or several children's beds, and a living room can even be transformed into a room for your children in one of the towers!
Even if the swimming pool will certainly delight them, they will also be able to enjoy the atmosphere of the castle and make beautiful memories of their stay in Tourraine!
We are already planning to take Eugenie there next year when the weather is nice!
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Things to do in the area
Other castles to visit
At the castle of Chissay, you are in the "golden triangle" of the Loire castles. Our 3 favorites to do within a 30 minute drive:
- Royal castle of Amboise: 20 minutes from Chissay, immerse yourself in the daily life of the kings of France in the second half of the 15th century, at the royal castle of Amboise and also discoverthe presumed tomb of the Italian genius and artist, Leonardo da Vinci. See our complete article with our photos and visit tips
- Chenonceau Castle: 10 minutes away, visit what is, for us, the most beautiful castle in the Loire Valley. The castle of Chenonceaux majestically spans the Cher, letting its magnificent Renaissance architecture be reflected in the river. The gardens and interior are also exceptional and we came away intoxicated by so much beauty.
- Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire: also a good 20 minutes away , come and admire the works of the best landscape designers of the moment who compete each year to create one of the 24 ephemeral gardens of the castle.
Museums close to Chissay Castle
- Le Clos Lucé: in the last residence of Leonardo da Vinci, come and discover the genius of the Italian master's life-size inventions, but also his sources of artistic inspiration. An open-air museum that will delight young and old.
a little more patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in the Loire Valley a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
If you wish to be informed of the publication of our guide on the Loire, register:
Where to eat near Chateau de Chissay
If the table du Roy is unfortunately full, some addresses nearby:
- La Brêche in Amboise : In an old bourgeois house from 1880, the chef Jérôme Berthelot and his daughter Justine, pastry chef, treat you to a creative cuisine that sublimates local products. The presentation of the dishes is worthy of a work of art! Discover the restaurant without waiting.
- Arbore & sens in Loches: a restaurant that brings together a family, it speaks to us necessarily... Especially since it is the fruit of the audacity of a young generation around the chef, Clément Dumont. We celebrate nature, the gourmet Touraine and local products. 30 minutes drive from Chissay, but what a treat... Discover the restaurant's menu
Other accommodations near Chissay Castle
If the castle of Chissay is not available or if you want to vary the experiences, we advise you in the nearby cities of Amboise and Loches :
- Sleeping with a view of the royal castle of Amboise, in a neat and really soothing decoration, and living the experience of an intimate spa, this is the promise of the Hotel"Au charme rabelaisien" - Let yourself be charmed
- Best Western Plus Hotel de la Cité Royale de Loches: this magnificent hotel is located in an imposing, yet graceful, 19th century building. On the program: spa, indoor pool and a large terrace with a view of the Royal City of Loches... Enjoy a relaxing night at the Best Western de la Cité royale
