The Château of Valençay, combining in perfect architectural harmony both, renaissance and classical styles, has changed in the course of its history. In 1803, it became the property of Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, Napoleon’s foreign secretary. Being a symbol of imperial power, Valençay is representative of taste and elegance with its marbles, paintings, works of art and particularly its exceptional Empire furniture coated in gilded bronze. From state salons to private apartments, the collections of the Château of Valençay offer you the richest visit of the châteaux of the Loire Valley.
After visiting the Château, discover all of the Château’s gardens, scattered over a 53 hectare park.
The Garden of the Circles – This garden, a kind of oval shaped courtyard, opens on to the service quarters : stables, theater, orangerie, coachhouse (today’s shop and ticket-office).
This garden is the main access to the Château of Valençay’s entrance.
The Garden “A la Française” – Located at the exit of the ticket office and facing the keep, these are pure traditional gardens: straight paths alternating with elegant ponds and flower beds, the composition of which is renewed each season.
The Duchess’ Garden – With its flower beds and sculptures, the Duchess’ garden overlooks Nahon’s green valley. It offers a priceless view on to the hunting pavilion of La Garenne, built in 1810 by architect Charles Bonnard to indulge the Spanish Princes’ taste for hunting. This building is one the few of its kind still intact in France.
The Flower Checkerboard – In the 18th century, a « jardin à la française » adorned the two hectare space facing the classical west wing. In the 19th century, this space evolved into a simple field, likely to supply sufficient feed for the farm animals, and then, upon Prince of Talleyrand’s wishes, was transformed into a « parc à l’anglaise ». In 2008, the Château’s team wished to revitalize this lost garden while staying true to the memory of its illustrious owner. Thus the flower checkerboard was born. Its character is rustic yet designed.
The flower checkerboard is unique in the Loire Valley. It focuses on biodiversity and is composed of 66 squares of multi-colored wild flowers.
Text quoted from The Château of Valençay. Image copyright Jean-Christophe BENOIST – Wikimedia.
