The Azay-le-Ferron castle is a Renaissance-style structure located in the town of Azay-le-Ferron. It has been owned by the city of Tours since 1952, following its classification as a Historic Monument. The castle comprises four sections built in different eras: the Frotier tower (late 15th century), the François I pavilion (16th century), and the Breteuil pavilion (18th century).

The Castle Grounds

The castle grounds feature a dual-style garden. One side houses a French garden with topiary shrubs arranged geometrically, and boxwood and yew ornaments cut into chess pieces. The other side has an English park with a rich collection of plant species, including century-old trees, a rose garden (with more than 300 roses), a vegetable garden, and an orchard of rare and ancient fruit trees. It's recognized as an Outstanding Garden.

The History of Azay-le-Ferron

The property is known to have been owned by Nicolas Turpin de Crissé around 1250 when it was a fortified place. It stayed within his family until 1412. In 1412, Antoine de Preuilly, linked by marriage to the Turpins, acquired the estate. Pierre Frotier, Antoine's brother-in-law, bought the castle in 1423. He was a squire to King Charles VI in 1418, grand master of the king's stable in 1419, and seneschal of Poitou in 1424 under the reign of King Charles VII.

Attractions at the Azay-le-Ferron Castle

Visitors can admire the sumptuous collection of furniture (Louis XV, Louis XVI, Empire, and Restoration), tapestries, paintings and art objects decorating the 15 decorated rooms where the Hersent Luzarche family lived. It is a journey through time in a building that has gone through centuries and eras. Strolling through the park's beautiful gardens is also an entertaining and relaxing activity.