Top 12 Castles around Huismes

We visited the castle in July 2025, the moat is empty and it all locked up but unoccupied. Its worth having a look at because you can get a good view through the front fence and gate.

History in brief Antiquity: the site is strategically located on a promontory and has been inhabited for 3,000 years. It was not fortified until the end of the Roman Empire. Middle Ages: in 1154, the new King of England, Henry II Plantagenet, became ruler of an empire stretching from Scotland to the Pyrenees and made Chinon his continental capital. He had a large palace built next to the fortress, which has now disappeared. In 1189, abandoned by his sons, Richard the Lionheart and John Lackland, and fleeing from the King of France, he eventually died there. Philippe Auguste had the defensive Tour du Coudray built there after the siege of 1205. Renaissance: in 1454, the fortress became the main residence of Queen Marie d'Anjou, who lived there without her husband. She spent lavishly on decorating the house to her taste. From the 16th century onwards, the fortress was gradually abandoned and fell into disrepair. Despite the dangerous nature of the terrain, it became a public promenade in 1824 and was listed as a monument in 1840. The restoration of the estate began in 1854 thanks to the efforts of the writer Prosper Mérimée. Source: https://loirelovers.fr/en/visit-royal-fort-chinon/

On the horizon, when the weather is clear, you can see the silhouette of the Château de Ussé. This fairytale castle has a magical appearance that overlooks the Indre and the Loire. It is so beautiful that it inspired Charles Perrault for his Sleeping Beauty. Triggered? Drive there and you will end up in a fairytale world. Young and old, immerse yourself in castle life and the scenes from this fairytale come to life before your eyes. Follow in the footsteps of Vauban, Perrault, Chateaubriand, Le Nôtre and the Blacas family, who still live in this illustrious castle in the Loire Valley.

Here you are in front of the 'Sleeping Beauty Castle'. Once upon a time there was a castle with a magical aura, overlooking the Indre and the Loire… so beautiful that it inspired Charles Perrault to write his Sleeping Beauty. Young and old, immerse yourself in castle life and the scenes from this fairy tale come to life before your eyes. Follow in the footsteps of Vauban, Perrault, Chateaubriand, Le Nôtre and the Blacas family, who still live in this illustrious castle in the Loire Valley.

Once upon a time, there was a castle with a magical aura, overlooking the Indre and the Loire… so beautiful that it inspired Charles Perrault to write Sleeping Beauty. Young and old, immerse yourself in castle life and the scenes from this fairy tale come to life before your eyes. Follow in the footsteps of Vauban, Perrault, Chateaubriand, Le Nôtre and the Blacas family, who still live in this illustrious castle in the Loire Valley. PREPARE YOUR VISIT: 2025 From 15 February to 31 March: 10am – 6pm. From 1 April to 30 September: 10am – 7pm. From 1 October to 11 November: 10am – 6pm. Prices: Adult (+ 16 years): € 14.50 Child from 8 to 16 years: € 7.50 Child (under 8 years): Free

The historic Domaine de La Villlaumaire is located in the municipality of Huismes in the Véron region in the Indre-et-Loire, in the heart of the "Loire Anjou Touraine" regional nature park, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Domaine de La Villaumaire is a haven of peace, consisting of a large castle, largely built in the 15th century on Gallo-Roman foundations, and a group of characteristic houses from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Triggered? More information on https://www.chateaux-en-france.com/index.php?page=fiche&lang=fr&id_fiche=294732&utm=

The Château d'Ussé is one of the many châteaux of the Loire Valley that are open to visitors, even though it is a private estate. As you stand on the banks of the river, you can see the fortress rising up in the distance, on the left bank of the Indre.

didn't go in but wonderfully setting