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In Touraine, in the heart of a wooded estate, the Château de Champchevrier is both royal and family-friendly. Family-friendly because it has been inhabited by the same family since 1728. Royal because Kings Louis Louis XIII stayed at the castle on several occasions, his doctor Jean Hérouard recounts it in his memoirs. Rebuilt during the Renaissance then embellished in the 18th century, Champchevrier is both a Historic Monument and a family castle in which each generation has passed on the love and respect for heritage. The history of the castle begins in the 11th century when a first building was built by Hugues de Champchevrier. The owners then succeeded one another on these lands: the Maillé family, the Lavals, the Bastarnays then in 1550, the Daillons who were behind the construction of the Renaissance castle. On the François I Pavilion, we can still see the mullioned windows from this period. Henri de Daillon having no sons, it was his nephew Antoine de Roquelaure, Marshal of France, who inherited the castle in 1686. He contributed to the exterior development of the castle by creating courtyards, gardens and a moat. The Château de Champchevrier was sold in 1728 to Jean-Baptiste Pierre Henri, first Baron de Champchevrier. In fact, the lands of the domain were erected into a barony in 1741 by letters patent from Louis XV. The first baron created the large perspectives which extend from the castle towards the forest, and had the terrace built to give elegance to the residence. This taste for the French art of living is found in particular in the immense portrait room covered with a magnificent Italian marble floor and adorned with a sumptuous 18th century earthenware stove commissioned by a royal repurchase during the demolition of the Château de Richelieu. A very beautiful set of porcelain tableware and numerous pieces of old crystal are displayed in display cases. The beauty of the Château de Champchevrier also lies in the rich furniture of the different rooms open to the public: in the music room, the precious Regency period furniture was already part of the inventory of the château when it was purchased by the family in 1728. But the visit is also worth the detour for its collection of exceptional tapestries made by three factories in the 16th and 17th centuries, including eight unique tapestries in the world from the royal factory of Amiens based on cartoons by Simon Vouët, official painter to Louis XIIII . Finally, the Château de Champchevrier reveals the daily life of those who shared the lives of the owners behind the scenes. The lingerie, particularly complete in terms of accessories, is an interesting testimony to all the stewardship necessary for the life of such a place. In the old kitchens, the large battery of copper pans and other utensils from yesteryear allows you to imagine the activity of the staff. A visit to the Château de Champchevrier is an unforgettable walk between nature and heritage, to the rhythm of the seasons between the life of the hounds and the family events of a residence whose inhabitants, guarantors of traditions, have their eyes fixed on the future.

PRICES Individual price adult: €9.00 Individual price reduced: €7.50 15-18 years old, student, job seeker, person with a disability Individual price child: €4.50 7-14 years old Family formula: €22.50 2 adults + 2 children (7-14 years old)

SCHEDULES From May 25 to June 11, 2021 Monday 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Friday 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

VISITS Free individual visits Average duration of individual visit: 1 hour Welcoming groups from 20 people to 40 people Free group visits Guided group tours Guided group tours on request Educational group visits Average duration of the group visit: 1h15 Point of interest visible without visit Languages available Audio: French Panels: French, English Spoken: French, English ACTIVITIES Specific thematic animation Children's workshop Temporary exhibitions

The castle and the Hôtel-Dieu de Baugé, today managed by the city, are among the heritage riches of this thousand-year-old city, labeled “Most beautiful detour in France” and “Little City of Character”. Known for his numerous architectural achievements, King René, Duke of Anjou, had the castle built in the 15th century as his hunting lodge. Simplicity, charm and elegance are the key words of this architectural ensemble, as evidenced by the imposing spiral staircase overlooked by its palm tree vault. Baugé castle first appeared at the beginning of the 11th century when Foulques III Nerra, count of Anjou and formidable warrior, had a fortress built on a rocky spur, at the confluence of the Couesnon and the Altrée, intended to secure east of its territory. No trace of this vast ensemble remains today, the last vestiges having been razed in the middle of the 19th century during the development of the current Place de l'Europe in front of the castle. Between the 11th and 14th centuries, a new castle was built on the site of the current castle, but the sources are incomplete for this period. It was probably burned down during the Hundred Years' War. On these bases the current castle was built between 1454 and 1465, commissioned by René I, Duke of Anjou (1409-1480) from its architect Guillaume Robin. Discover the new scenography of the Château de Baugé inaugurated in May 2021: the Palace of King René. In this brand new journey, let yourself be told the stories of a great story, that of a unique knight-artist. Imagine... You are the guest of a royal banquet, you discover the precious works of the library or, surprise, you explore an astonishing forest in the attic of the castle until then closed to the public. Between history and poetry, daily life and imagination, the new route through the Palais du Roi René will leave you dreaming. The visit to the Baugé castle goes hand in hand with the discovery of the Hôtel-Dieu de Baugé. The city's first hospital opened in 1650 thanks to the tenacity of two women wishing to offer a place of welcome and care to the most deprived in the region, it closed in 2001 after 350 years of hospital activity. In turn, the sick room, the baroque chapel, the convent buildings, the simple garden are revealed to visitors. The whole still constitutes today a coherent architectural ensemble and witness to the dual vocation of the place: care of souls and care of the body. Among the masterpieces to discover in the Loire Valley, the apothecary is one of the must-sees. A mysterious atmosphere reigns in this 17th century pharmacy, recognized as one of the richest and most complete in Europe.

Church built in the 11th century, with a twisted spire of the bell tower.

Family property, Champchevrier Castle is a historic castle inhabited by the same family since 1728. It is open to the public from June 15 to the third weekend of September, European Heritage Days weekend.

Baugé Castle is a medieval castle built by King René, Duke of Anjou and hunting enthusiast. You can explore the castle and learn about the life and times of this Renaissance prince, who ruled a vast territory from Anjou to Jerusalem. You can also attend a sound and light show reconstructing the history of the castle and its owner. The castle is open from April to October, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day except Monday.