Resting on an island in the river Indre,
chateau Azay-le-Rideau is one of the loveliest
and most visited in the
Loire
Valley. It was built during the
reign of François I in the Renaissance style by
Gilles
Berthelot on the site of
a former small fortified castle, its turreted façade is
reflected in the still waters
of the river making time itself appear to stand still.
The small turrets suspended over the water are testimony to
the woman who had inspired the chateau’s design, Philippe
Lesbahy, the courageous wife of Gilles
Berthelot
who was unable to complete the reconstruction after the
disgrace and then the death of her husband. The house with
all the refinements of Renaissance architecture, its high
roofs, and turrets, long rows of windows and dormer-windows
and majestic Italian structure gives the building its
symmetrical facade. The grand staircase in the courtyard is
a splendid example of a master craftsman at work and has to
be seen.
Inside the chateau all the rooms are furnished, which is not
true of all the chateaus of the
Loire, in a
variety of period styles making the visit even more
pleasurable.
There is a wonderful view of the gardens from the
chateau, these are well worth a walk round to view the many
examples of ‘worl
d trees’ offering shade from the hot
summer’s sun.
Should you wish to stay on to view the elaborate son-et-lumière
(sound and light) show, which is one of the best in the region , it
takes place, July 1st to August 31st daily at 9.00pm 'til midnight and this year (2010) it has a new format.
