Château de Cheverny
Centre-Val de Loire
Château de Cheverny is a remarkable 17th-century château located in the Loire Valley, France, near Chambord and Blois. Built between 1624 and 1630 by Philippe Hurault to designs by architect Jacques Bougier, its classical style recalls the Palais du Luxembourg. The château has been continuously inhabited by the Hurault family descendants, the marquis de Vibraye, for over six centuries. Its interiors feature magnificent furniture, tapestries, and artworks including portraits by Pierre Mignard and paintings from the school of Raphael. The château is famous for its pack of hunting hounds and its richly decorated rooms such as the Grand Salon and the Chambre du Roi, adorned with Parisian tapestries depicting Ulysses. It inspired Hergé's fictional Château de Moulinsart in the Adventures of Tintin. The estate also boasts spectacular gardens, including a seasonal display of hundreds of thousands of tulips and giant floral sculptures. Open year-round, Château de Cheverny remains one of the most visited private castles in the Loire, offering a unique glimpse into French aristocratic heritage and culture.
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Tip: Visit in spring to enjoy the spectacular tulip displays and colorful garden decorations. The château is open daily year-round without reservation. Advance ticket purchase is recommended during peak seasons. Visitors can watch the feeding of the historic hunting hounds and explore the richly furnished interiors. Family-friendly activities and seasonal events enhance the experience.
Interesting facts
- •Château de Cheverny inspired Hergé's Marlinspike Hall in the Adventures of Tintin.
- •The château maintains a pack of around 120 hunting hounds that are taken out for hunts twice weekly.
- •It is the second most visited private château in the Loire Valley after Château de Chenonceau.
- •The château’s architecture recalls the Palais du Luxembourg, designed by Salomon de Brosse’s atelier.
- •Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother visited the château in 1963 during a Loire Valley holiday.
History
Originally owned by Henry Le Mareschau in 1315, the Cheverny estate passed to the Hurault family in the late 14th century.
The current château was constructed between 1624 and 1630 by Philippe Hurault after regaining the property from Diane de Poitiers, who had briefly owned it.
The château underwent major interior renovations in 1768.
The Hurault family sold it during the French Revolution but repurchased it in 1824 during the Restoration.
In 1914, the château was one of the first in the Loire Valley to open to the public and has remained in the same family ever since.
Place Guide
Grand Salon17th century
The central ground floor salon decorated under the marquise de Montglas, featuring portraits from the school of Raphael and Pierre Mignard.
Petit Salon17th century
A gallery room hung with five Flemish tapestries and a portrait attributed to Maurice-Quentin de La Tour.
Library17th century
Housing portraits by Jean Clouet and Hyacinthe Rigaud, reflecting the château’s rich art collection.
Grand Appartements17th century
Upper floor apartments accessed via a stone staircase carved with trophies of arms and arts, including the richly hung Chambre du Roi with Paris tapestries illustrating the story of Ulysses.
Gardens and Grounds
The château’s extensive gardens feature seasonal displays such as a 250-meter double ribbon of half a million tulips and giant floral sculptures up to 4.5 meters tall, celebrating spring and Easter.
Contact
Phone: 02 54 79 96 29
