Are you on vacation in the Loire Valley? Visit Château de Cheverny, also known as Château de Moulinsart, one of the most famous in the region! A source of inspiration, this superb classic château was a source of inspiration for us and for the illustrious cartoonist Hergé! Immerse yourself in the world of Tintin as you explore a magnificent estate surrounded by exceptional gardens and renowned for its vineyards. A must-see!
In this article, you'll find some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit and have a wonderful time!
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why visit Cheverny Castle, also known as Moulinsart?
Is the castle worth it? Our opinion:
Yes, it's definitely worth a visit! One of the most beautiful châteaux in the Loire Valley, it's also an important stop on the wine route. Just a few kilometers from Blois, the estate offers a history full of surprises. The elegant 17th-century edifice is also the fictional château of Moulinsart, making the visit a veritable immersion in the famous Tintin comic strip. We were also charmed by the beautiful park and gardens. Like us, you'll be captivated by the magnificence of the Cheverny estate!
Why is Château de Cheverny famous?
The first private château to be opened to the public, Château de Cheverny is an emblematic historic site in the Loire Valley that also stands out for its literary history! Inspired by the Château de Moulinsart, home of the tempestuous Captain Haddock, the estate is part of the famous Tintin universe! We were transported!
The site also owes its success to its park and gardens, which are among the most beautiful on the Loire! Forest, kitchen garden, orchard, romantic and landscaped gardens, the place enchanted us with its luxuriance and colors.
Cheverny is also famous for its wine! The château has its own vineyard. We went for a walk! It's one of the best tastings of Loire wines. Read all about it here. Wine lovers will be delighted at the estate, where exclusive wine discoveries take place on a regular basis.
Our favorite moments
This château impressed us on many levels. Here's what we liked best:
- The château itself: a magnificent classical edifice reminiscent of the Château de Moulinsart, a key location in our favorite comic strip, Tintin!
- The majestic park: lulled by the peaceful currents of the canal, from our boat we admired the many species that make the park so sublime, such as the avenue of 157 Atlas cedars and the Louisiana bald cypresses.
- The "Secrets of Moulinsart" permanent exhibition: dedicated to the world of Tintin, it brings Hergé's drawings to life!
History in brief
Cheverny Castle has a rich history:
- Renaissance: In the 14th century, the Hurault family acquired the land on the estate, then in the 16th century built the first dwelling, a fortified château. Due to bankruptcy, the estate was sold in 1551 to Diane de Poitiers, favorite of King Henri II. However, following a legal error, the estate was returned to the Huraults.
- 17th century: Caught in the act of adultery, the Countess de Hurault is ordered by her husband to kill herself with poison. Remarried, the Comte de Hurault gave free rein to his new companion, Marguerite Gaillard de la Morinière. In 1630, the château was razed to the ground on his initiative and rebuilt in a classical style.
- 18th and 19th centuries: the estate enjoyed a period of splendor, before changing owners several times. The Hurault family, via Marquis Anne-Victor Hurault de Vibraye, reclaimed their ancestral property in 1825.
- 20th century: In 1922, the Marquis opened the château to the public, and it has been a great success ever since.
WHERE TO STAY IN Blois
Downtown
Enjoy the city, its restaurants and beautiful architecture.
- Fleur de Loire Hotel - prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Château des Basses Roches - prices, pictures and availability
In the southern countryside: Chambord, Chevery
Surrounded by castles and charming villages, less than 30 minutes from Blois
- Hotel Relais de Chambord - prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Les Sources de Cheverny - prices, pictures and availability
In the northern countryside
For a little peace and quiet, but close to the city. Fewer castles.
- Hotel Le Grand Cèdre - prices, pictures and availability
Access and map: Cheverny Castle, Loir-et-Cher
Where is the castle?
The château is located in the Loire Valley in the Loir-et-Cher département of France.
- In the commune of Cheverny
- Driving time from Blois: 20min
- Driving time from Amboise: 50min
- Driving time from Tours: 1h
- Here is a map to help you find your way:
How to get there?
The château is accessible by car from the A10 freeway and the D765 main road. You can also opt for public transport. You may, however, be limited by long travel times and schedules. By train, stop at Blois station. Book your train tickets here. Then take a bus to the château (line 28, L'Orme stop).
Cycling is also an attractive option. The château is one of the stops on the Loire à vélo cycle route. Find out more here. Take advantage of 2-day or 5-day guided tours to explore the region in a whole new way! Why not choose an organized tour of the Loire Valley? Here are some suggestions:
- From Paris, visit the most beautiful châteaux of the Loire Valley, including Cheverny.
- Also from the capital, take a minibus to conquer the castles of Cheverny, Chambord and Chenonceau!
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- 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.
Parking
The château has 3 large free parking lots for visitors. If you feel lucky, try P1 which is the closest to the castle.
Want to rent a car to get around the region and visit other castles? Here's all our advice!
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating...
Best time to visit
Although open all year round, we recommend visiting the estate in fine weather, when the park is decked out in green and color. Choose spring or September to avoid the summer crowds. Alternatively, come early in the morning for a more exclusive tour!
Length of visit and main difficulties
Would you like to visit the entire estate? Allow half a day or 3 hours minimum. Bring good shoes for a comfortable stroll through the vast park. Apart from the walking time, the site presents no particular difficulties.
Advice on how to visit
There is no imposed direction of visit. Let your desires guide you or follow our advice! We chose to start by admiring the castle's exterior. An opportunity to play a game of 7 differences with Hergé's Château de Moulinsart on the north facade. Then, go to the park and join the departure area for the electric boats and cars. After your tour, head for the "Moulinsart Secrets" exhibition room, making a quick stop at the castle's kennels. Take the opportunity to stroll through the beautiful bouquetier vegetable garden next door. We loved walking around! Finish your visit with a tour of the castle's sumptuous interiors.
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:
Visiting with children
Cheverny Castle is ideal for children. If they're familiar with the Tintin comic strip, they should be interested in the immersive exhibition in the world of Moulinsart. In the heart of the castle, youngsters can draw inspiration from LEGO reproductions of the castle in various eras. The park is also an ideal location for great nature races. Young and old alike will love the electric car and boat tour. We big kids loved it! At the entrance to the estate, the Maison des Vins de Cheverny also offers fun activities. During your tasting, children can enjoy a glass of grape juice while discovering the secrets of the Chenyver donkey thanks to a game booklet.
Schedules and rates
Cheverny Castle is open all year round! Here are the timetables:
- January to March and October to December: 10am to 5pm.
- April to June: 9.15 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- July to August: 9.15 am to 6.30 pm.
Prices are as follows:
- Tour of château and gardens: €14.5
- Tour of château and gardens + "Moulinsart's secrets": €19
- Visit to the Château and gardens + Boat and electric car rides: €19.50
- Visit to the Château and gardens + Moulinsart's secrets + Boat and electric car rides: €24
Click here for details of opening times, reduced rates and children's rates.
Guided tours
The château offers guided tours of its interiors. Immerse yourself in the romantic history of this superb site for 45 minutes. From April to November, you can also enjoy guided boat trips along the canal. We loved this ride on the water!
You can also opt for an exclusive private tour, revealing the secrets of the château and the illustrious Hurault de Vibraye family.
Lodging
Extend your adventure by staying overnight! At the entrance, in the former outbuildings, exceptional suites welcome lovers of luxury and castles. Book your prestige room now!
Just a stone's throw from Blois, the château is close to a wide range of accommodation. Discover our suggestions here.
Catering
The château offers light dining at the Café de l'Orangerie. The decor is fun and the break is delicious! The site also offers picnic areas ideally placed along the canal.
The estate is just a few minutes from the town of Blois, which boasts some very good restaurants. Let our mouth-watering selection be your guide (article coming soon).
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Tintin and the Castle of Moulinsart
The story
We looked at the north façade, removed the 2 side pavilions and recognized the Château de Moulinsart! In fact, Cheverny was the model for the castle of Captain Haddock, the seaworthy sailor with the flowery tongue, a key character in the Tintin comic strip. From an image he found in a brochure, Hergé, the author of the famous comic strip, is said to have found the ideal lines for his drawing style in the building's classical architecture.
The story doesn't end there. It was also Tintin who saved the château from closure! Thanks to the partnership created with the Fondation Hergé in the late 1990s, the site has enjoyed a new outreach that has helped to draw in the crowds. We were also seduced by this parallel with Tintin during our visit! Do as we do, lend an ear. In the castle's sumptuous halls, you may hear the shrill voice of Castafiore or the marine exclamations of Captain Haddock!
Tintin and the Secrets of Moulinsart exhibition
At the heart of the estate, in one of the historic outbuildings, we took a trip through Hergé's work with "The Secrets of Moulinsart". This permanent exhibition features a life-size reconstruction of the rooms of the Château de Moulinsart and the adventures of Tintin, the intrepid journalist. A unique interactive immersion in France, the experience is well worth the detour!
We entered the castle's underground passageways, where Tintin was locked up, as well as the laboratory of the surprising Professor Tournesol! Everything's there, including accessories, furniture and even the shark submarine. We also took a look at some of the comic strips and delved into Hergé's drawings. At the end of the tour, you can also see how the people of Chevenery inspired the famous Belgian cartoonist!
A prestigious château
Grand architecture
The château is distinguished by its classical architecture. It's one of the only 17th-century châteaux in the Loire Valley. Right from the façade, we were seduced by its elegance. We were struck by the finesse of the detailing, symmetry and antique motifs. Look out, too, for the various busts surrounded by elliptical frames looking back at you from the distant past!
We were also captivated by the rich interiors, whose splendor contributes greatly to the château's reputation. As you pass, you'll see the rooms in a row caressed by the light from the many windows, revealing their splendor. As we looked up, we were captivated by the beauty of the finely-worked, gilded woodwork that magnificently crowns the precious parquet floors and period tiles. The splendid ceiling in the king's bedroom, for example, was awe-inspiring.
Sumptuous salons and apartments
Our visit began with a flourish in the dining room. Welcomed by a sumptuously laid table, we felt like guests! We admired the fireplace and its overmantel of paintings.
After climbing the stone staircases, we discovered the treasures of the 1st floor, with its prestigious apartments and ceremonial rooms. The majestic king's bedroom, whose bed once housed Henir IV, stands out for its splendor. We also enjoyed visiting the children's bedroom and the bride's room, where you'll be dazzled by a wedding gown.
Felt and colored with rich motifs, the music room made us want to play a few tunes. In the weapons room, we walked in the footsteps of the castle's warriors.
Exceptional collections
The château is home to a wealth of works of art and artefacts. The beautiful collection of weapons and armor we admired in the weapons room was awe-inspiring. The exhibition on the Cheverny Dragons, elite cavalry officers, will transport you to the warlike past of the de Vibraye family, owners of the château.
From room to room, we contemplated extraordinary tapestries illustrating precious fables and allegories. The beautiful tapestry of the Goblins of the 17th century has particularly piqued our interest. Numerous paintings also punctuate the visit. Portraits and landscapes took us back in time to the precious movement.
Prestigious furnishings adorn the interiors. Antique chests of drawers, Boulle-style chests of drawers and ingenious bookcases will not leave you indifferent. Other amazing objects, such as the children's pretty wooden horses, gave us a real sense of castle life!
Extraordinary gardens
The Domaine de Cheverny is home to 6 magnificent gardens, among the finest in the Loire Valley!
A real treat for the taste buds
Jardin Bouquetier was a pleasant surprise! Blending flowers and vegetable gardens, it is also home to ecological innovations. Read the information panels and you'll discover that the garden is powered by aquaponics, a self-sustaining system of mutual benefits between plants and fish! Alongside colorful rows of vegetables, we also spotted a curious insect hotel designed to promote biodiversity. Buzzing and flapping wings accompanied our walk.
A little further on, to the left of the château, we discovered the Sugar Garden. This large orchard grows a myriad of fruity trees. Apple trees, pear trees, fig trees and red fruit compete in vigor. A few steps away, we caught a glimpse of the estate's beehives, which produce local honey. The promise of flavours that tantalized our taste buds!
Romance and color
Nestling behind the canal, the Jardin de l'Amour awakened our romantic spirit. Languorous sculptures of lovers populate this garden, giving rhythm to the strollers. Let yourself be carried away by the gentleness of the setting and take the opportunity to cross the bucolic bridge leading to the château.
A few steps away is the Tulip Garden. If you're lucky or far-sighted, your visit may coincide with a few days of flowering. For dozens of meters, ribbons of tulips unfurl in rainbows. Poetry and color create a truly magical moment. We just missed it, but fortunately other flowers grace the park all summer long!
Creativity and mystery
Behind the château lies the astonishing Apprentice Garden. The creativity of the landscape installations appealed to us. Created in 2006 as part of a rehabilitation project, it has taken the place of the long-gone formal garden. Take your time and enjoy the view. Like us, sit on one of the benches in the shade of the tall trees, or take refuge under the pergola with its wisteria in bloom.
If you're feeling playful, take a trip through the estate's labyrinth! The large green hedges literally baffled us. Try to solve the mystery of the route and find the exit as quickly as possible. We had the time of our lives.
A domain full of surprises
An English-style park
With more than 100 hectares, the Cheverny park is magnificent. We loved the diversity of landscapes it offered. A bucolic watering hole, woods and forests, and landscaped gardens are sure to please nature lovers! We admired a wide variety of species. Take time to contemplate the venerable cedars, redwoods and lime trees. Scattered throughout this green immensity, numerous statues and sculptures will also brighten up your visit.
Extend your visit by opting for a boat or electric buggy ride. These walks allowed us to discover the immensity and beauty of the park. We were impressed by the majesty of the 157 cedar trees!
Rich outbuildings
The estate's historic outbuildings have been converted into visitor areas. These include the kennels located near the park entrance. We were able to see some of the 120 tricolored English-French hounds. But since they were drowsy, our visit to the kennel wasn't very lively.
The trophy room displays some superb examples. The site bears witness to the importance of hunting to the estate. In this vast room, we were also able to contemplate a superb work of art inspired by the art of stained glass.
Want to keep a souvenir of Cheverny? Stop by one of the 2 boutiques on the site. We found objects related to the breathtaking world of Tintin, as well as local products, some of which come directly from the château!
A renowned Maison des Vins
Walking through the park, we came across the château's vineyard. Large avenues of vines stretch across the forest to the left of the château. We were able to imagine the September harvest and bunches bursting with ripe grapes!
At Cheverny, wine takes pride of place! In addition to the vineyard, the estate is home to the Maison des Vins, located at the entrance to the park. The latter is recognized as one of the vineyards and wines of the Loire! If you're a wine enthusiast, you'll be able to taste AOC Cheverny. We think it's famous!
Frequently asked questions
What's the link between Tintin, Hergé's comic strip, and the Château de Cheverny?
Cheverny is the château that inspired Hergé to create the Château de Moulinsart, a central location in the world of the Tintin comic strip. In The Secret of the Unicorn and The Seven Crystal Balls, we recognized the building as if it were our own, except for a few details! Without a doubt, the famous author took it as his model, endowing it with a tempestuous owner, the famous Captain Haddock!
In fact, it was Tintin who saved the château in the late 1990s. Thanks to the partnership with the Fondation Hergé and the resulting publicity, the owners have been able to continue maintaining the estate! We enjoyed the exhibition devoted entirely to Tintin, a playful immersion in the world of comics. Let yourself be tempted, as dear Haddock would say!
Can we stay at Château de Cheverny?
Yes, it is possible to sleep at the Domaine de Cheverny! The historic outbuildings house 6 prestigious suites at the entrance to the château. Elegant design, private garden or balcony, top-of-the-range furnishings! Reserve an exceptional room today.
Who are the owners of Château de Cheverny?
The estate has been owned by the Hurault de Vibraye family for over 6 centuries! This great family of French nobility is renowned for its illustrious service to the kings of France. From generation to generation, she has continued to embellish the château and its grounds. They still live there today, occupying the entire right wing. We admired it during our visit!
What tourist attractions are close to Château de Cheverny?
The château is located near some of the Loire Valley's most emblematic sites! Some of our suggestions for your visit:
- A few kilometers from the estate, discover the beautiful Château de Blois. We traveled through the history of France. Click here to find out more (article coming soon) and buy your ticket now!
- The jewel of the Loire, the Château de Chambord will amaze you. Read our article on the subject here and book your ticket for this exceptional site now!
- Looking for history and nature? Run to the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, a place of extraordinary landscapes that has captivated us. Find out more here. Don't hesitate to take your ticket!
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