Visiting the Loire Valley? Don't miss the Château de Gizeux.
Nestled just a few kilometers from Saumur, this family-run château promises an authentic plunge into French history. We were won over by the richness of its painted galleries and the warm atmosphere that reigns within these inhabited walls.
In this article you'll find some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit to Château de Gizeux and have a great 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 Château de Gizeux?
Is Château de Gizeux worth it? Our opinion:
Yes, the Château de Gizeux is well worth a visit. We were particularly taken by the authenticity of this place, still inhabited by its owners. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the Renaissance galleries are among the most beautiful we've seen in the region. The many activities on offer for children also make it an ideal destination for families.
Why is Château de Gizeux famous?
The château owes its renown to the Galerie des Châteaux, a masterpiece created between 1680 and 1685. Anne de Frézeau, the owner at the time, called on a painting school to further her son's artistic education. We were impressed by the scale of this achievement. A master and his pupils have depicted fourteen of the greatest royal castles on 400m² of walls. You'll admire reproductions of Chambord, Versailles and other architectural gems.
Our favorite
The François 1er gallery particularly caught our attention during our visit. Entirely decorated by Italian artists around 1610, it was commissioned by Marie d'Yvetot, princess and wife of René du Bellay. We were fascinated by the wealth of decorations adorning this exceptional room. The salamander, the royal emblem of François 1er, carved on the mantelpiece, is easily recognizable. The presence of this emblem can be explained by the King's two visits to the château, an honor that allowed the du Bellay family to display this prestigious symbol.
The history of this gallery contains a delicious anecdote. During the French Revolution, the villagers rallied to protect these artistic treasures. They covered the paintings with a thick layer of cob to conceal the royal symbols from the revolutionaries. What was intended to be temporary became permanent, and these wonders remained hidden until their fortuitous rediscovery at the end of the 19th century.
History in brief
Château de Gizeux has stood the test of time, bearing the marks of its architectural and historical evolution:
- 14th century: Construction of the original medieval fortress on the site
- 1560: Progressive transformation of the fortress into a Renaissance residence by the du Bellay family
- 1610: Italian artists create the Galerie François 1er for Marie d'Yvetot
- 1680-1685: Creation of the Galerie des Châteaux by Anne de Frézeau
- French Revolution: Residents protect the royal decorations by covering them with cob.
- Late 19th century: Accidental rediscovery and restoration of the François 1er gallery
WHERE TO STAY IN Tours
In the city center
Enjoy the city, its restaurants and beautiful architecture.
- Hotel Ferdinand - check prices, pictures and availability
- Hôtel du Cygne - check prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel L'Adresse - check prices, pictures and availability
Near the station and around the city center
An early train? Or just a little more peace and quiet? Here are our recommendations:
- Hotel Les Trésorières - 5 stars - check prices, pictures and availability
- Aparthotel Central Parc Tours - check prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Oceania L'Univers Tours - check prices, pictures and availability
In the countryside around
Looking for a bit of peace and quiet, without straying too far from the city of Tours? Here's our suggestion:
- Hotel Domaine de la Tortinière - 20 min away - check prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Troglododo - unusual 25min away - check prices, pictures and availability
Access and map: Château de Gizeux, Gizeux
Where is Château de Gizeux?
- In the village of Gizeux, Indre-et-Loire
- Driving time from Saumur: 30min
- Driving time from Tours: 45min
- Driving time from Angers: 1h
Here's a map of the Loire Valley to help you find your way:
How to get there?
The quickest and easiest way to get there is by car. We used this means of transport during our visit, and the route was very well signposted.
The nearest public transport stations are Bourgueil-Port Boulet, 15km away, and Langeais, 20km from the château. However, bus connections from these stations are few and far between, and not very convenient for reaching Gizeux.
Or opt for a more bucolic approach by bike. Cycling routes criss-cross the region and provide easy access to the château. Details of these routes can be found on the Touraine Nature Tourist Offices website.
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
Free parking is available directly on site, in the immediate vicinity of the château entrance. We appreciated this ease of access, which allowed us to begin our visit without any constraints.
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating...
Best time to visit
If you're looking for peace and quiet, we recommend a weekday visit. We've found that the crowds remain moderate during these days, allowing us to enjoy the site to the full. Visiting on a sunny day will allow you to enjoy the gardens, but the visit can also be made on a rainy day. The tea room and boutique in the former Orangerie will keep you busy at the end of your visit.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow at least 2 hours for your family to explore the castle and enjoy the games on offer.
The château is divided into several levels, with staircases leading up to the various galleries and apartments. Attendance remains reasonable, even during the high season, making it easy to move around the different rooms.
Advice on how to visit
We suggest you start your visit by looking at the castle's exterior, to admire its architecture. Follow the signposted interior path to admire the furnished apartments. Finish your tour by exploring the cellar, stables and chapel. If you're coming with the family, make time for the children's activities on the Grande Terrasse.
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
Château de Gizeux offers several activities specially designed for young visitors. We've noticed that children particularly enjoy the "In Mistipouf's Footsteps" treasure hunt, which provides a fun way to discover the castle during the self-guided tour. The Musketeers treasure hunt invites apprentice adventurers to foil a plot in the park.
Note also the games on the Grande Terrasse for a welcome recreational break, and the giant chess set installed in the garden.
Find out more on the dedicated page here.
Schedules and rates
The château is open daily from 10.30am to 6pm during the summer and school vacations. The last entrance is at 5pm, giving you an hour to enjoy the site before closing time. For other times of the year, we advise you to check the opening times directly on the official website.
Adult tickets cost €11, while children under 14 pay €6. Admission remains free for children under 4. Visit the official website for more info here.
Guided tours
Admission includes use of an audioguide. We invite you to follow the numbers on the audioguide terminals (identified by a number and the pictogram of a pair of headphones) to follow the suggested tour route.
The ticket also includes a guided tour of the castle. You can choose between:
- guided historical tours at 11am, 2pm and 4:30pm during school vacations.
- Costumed tours specially designed for children, daily at 4:30pm.
- guided tours with wine tasting. This formula combines culture and gustatory pleasures in an exceptional setting.
Lodging
You can sleep at the castle! This unique opportunity allows you to extend the experience and fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the place. The establishment offers five family rooms with plush, romantic decor. An eight-person apartment is ideal for groups or large families. And for a more unusual experience, you can opt for the perched hut, offering original accommodation in the heart of the estate.
Find all information on rooms and rates on the dedicated website here.
Catering
The Orangerie du Château is home to a tea room offering a light menu. We took a pleasant break here during our visit, in an elegant and relaxing setting. You'll find hot drinks, pastries and a few simple dishes for refreshment between two discoveries. A picnic area with several tables is also available in the park. This option allows you to enjoy the lush greenery while lunching at your own pace, particularly appreciated on sunny days.
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Architecture: from medieval fortress to Renaissance castle
Medieval origins: a defensive fortress
Château de Gizeux bears the traces of several centuries of architectural history. Records show the existence of a wooden fortress in the 11th century on the site of today's château. Although the foundations are no longer visible, the entrance tower dating back to 1334 can be seen as soon as you arrive.
The Renaissance metamorphosis
In the 16th century, the du Bellay family undertook major transformations to adapt their château to Renaissance architectural codes and recreate a courtly atmosphere. They considerably expanded the building by erecting a U-shaped main building, a configuration emblematic of Loire Valley Renaissance châteaux. Two stair towers of different sizes mark the inner corners of this new building. Spatial organization reflects the social hierarchy of the period: vast ceremonial salons occupy the first floor, while utilitarian spaces (kitchens, pantries, linen closets) are located on the first floor.
The 18th century and the emergence of commons
In the mid-18th century, Simon-René Grandhomme revolutionized the château's organization, building vast outbuildings in 1743 to house the staff. This initiative reflects an avant-garde approach to master-servant relations. We particularly appreciated the harmony that emanates from this ensemble, where medieval elements interact with Renaissance additions. This metamorphosis testifies to the evolution of mentalities and the passage from a warrior society to a courtly civilization enamored of art and refinement.
Surprising interiors
The Renaissance galleries of the Château: the treasure of Gizeux
The Renaissance galleries are undeniably the jewels in the crown of Château de Gizeux. We were overwhelmed by the richness and exceptional quality of these decorated spaces. The Galerie François 1er immediately transports you to the sumptuous world of the Italian Renaissance. Entirely painted around 1610 by transalpine artists, it displays a decorative program of rare coherence. Admire the frescoes covering the walls and ceiling, creating a total immersion in the art of this period. The royal salamander on the mantelpiece is a reminder of the King's visits, giving this room a strong historical legitimacy.
The Galerie des Châteaux is a unique artistic achievement. On 400m² of wall surfaces, fourteen royal castles are depicted with remarkable precision. We spent a long time identifying Chambord, Versailles and the other royal residences immortalized by the school of painting invited by Anne de Frézeau.
Furnished period apartments
The Château de Gizeux apartments feature authentic furnishings that bear witness to the refinement of past centuries. In the 18th century, a wind of comfort and embellishment blew over the château. You can stroll through the different salons on the ground floor: the men's salon, later renamed the Salon du Maréchal, and the ladies' salon. This modestly sized room was reserved for the women, who retired there after dinner, when the men gathered around a digestif. The Grandhomme de Gizeux family adorned the salons with Louis XV furniture, both decorative and practical, most of which is listed as a Monument Historique.
Don't miss the dining room, hunting room and kitchen.
Other nuggets to discover: the cellar, the stables, the chapel
In addition to the Renaissance apartments and galleries, there are other areas of the château that deserve your attention. The cellars extend under the entire length of the château and house the entrance to a 2km tunnel that served as a refuge for resistance fighters during the Second World War, when the owners' grandfather hid them from the German occupiers. The stables bear witness to the importance attached to horses in the life of the seigneury. We appreciated the layout of these outbuildings, which retain their original function with their stalls and saddlery. Finally, the chapel, built in the 15th century and redecorated in the 19th by Marie Feuillant, features magnificent stained glass windows with the Contades coat of arms, a trompe-l'œil vault and a private gallery accessible from the apartments.
A family castle
A castle still inhabited and habitable!
Château de Gizeux has the rare distinction of still being inhabited by its owners. For almost twenty years, Stéphanie and Géraud de Laffon have made the courageous choice to move into these walls steeped in history. The couple live at the château with their six children, breathing authentic family life into the centuries-old building.
The owners work daily to preserve and enhance the estate, supported by dedicated volunteers. For example, the kitchen, which was in use until 1973, is now open to the public, thanks to the village women who restored and cleaned all the copperware! Another original feature is that you can stay in the château, which houses several guest rooms!
A pleasant, bucolic walk
Château de Gizeux invites you to discover several green spaces:
- Le Jardin Discret, nestled in the backyard between the chapel and the orangery, is a hidden treasure trove of greenery designed in collaboration with Henri Carvallo, owner of Jardins de Villandry. It subtly combines French-style flowerbeds dedicated to medicinal and aromatic plants (mint, thyme, lavender) and English-style flowerbeds, with untreated fruit trees at the foot of the south wall.
- The Bosquet, adjoining the Grande Terrasse and flanked by the moat, forms a haven of greenery laid out according to the Napoleonic cadastre, where numerous plant and animal species flourish - this wood, restored after the storm of 2021, hosts the children's treasure hunt and even an unusual perched hut for overnight stays.
- The Grande Terrasse offers a sunny play area with panoramic views over the greenery, equipped with numerous board games.
A top visit for families
Château de Gizeux stands out for its wide range of activities for children. The "In Mistipouf's Footsteps" treasure hunt transforms the visit into a playful adventure where young explorers must solve riddles while learning about the castle's history. You'll see your children running from room to room, notebook in hand, totally absorbed in their mission. The Musketeers Treasure Hunt is another immersive experience that immerses participants in a captivating storyline. Armed with their adventurer's backpacks from reception, they'll have to foil a plot by exploring the park and castle. The games on the Grande Terrasse also provide a welcome space for relaxation, while the giant chess set is a big hit with young and old alike!
Frequently asked questions
What events take place at the château?
Château de Gizeux offers a varied program of events throughout the year. Temporary exhibitions regularly take over the château's rooms, showcasing local artists or themes linked to the history of the site. In summer, you can attend weekend festivities that bring the estate to life with impressive equestrian shows. Artisan fairs are also held in the park, providing an opportunity to discover the region's traditional skills. During school vacations, special events are organized to entertain families and enhance the visit. We recommend that you consult the château's website regularly for details of the program. Find out all about the events here.
What to see and do around Château de Gizeux?
The Loire Valley region is full of remarkable sites to discover during your stay. We recommend that you complete your visit to Château de Gizeux with..:
- The village of Candes-Saint-Martin, a 30-minute drive away. Classed as one of France's most beautiful villages, it offers a bucolic and authentic setting.
- The Château de Villandry, considered one of the most emblematic in the Loire Valley.
- The Château de Langeais is another must-see, just 20min from Gizeux. This remarkably well-preserved medieval fortified castle boasts exceptional collections and a drawbridge still in working order.
DON'T MISS THE BEST CASTLES IN the Loire Valley
- The most beautiful castles of the Loire Valley
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- Where to stay in the Loire castles: unforgettable hotels!
- The best Loire castles to visit with your family
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- Chambord or Chenonceau: our comparison
- itineraries: weekend - 3 days - 4 days - 5 days - 1 week
- Castles around Blois, around Amboise, around Saumur, around Tours, around Angers and around Nantes.
- or our list of over 100 Loire castles
