INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT CHÂTEAU D'USSÉ

Nestled on the edge of the Chinon forest and overlooking the banks of the River Indre, in the French commune of Rigny-Ussé, is the 15th century castle Château d'Ussé. The chateau was originally built in the 11th century as a fortress, but developed over time to become a jewel of Renaissance architecture, and later became a splendid residential home.

Château d'Ussé has received many famous guests within its walls, such as Voltaire, Chateaubriand and Charles Perrault, the French author who invented modern fairy tales. Perrault’s stay at the Château d'Ussé was notable, for it was the castle, as legend has it, that inspired Perrault to write the fairy tale ‘Sleeping Beauty’.

The original castle was built of stone and wood by the fearsome Viking warrior Gelduin I, around year 1,000AD. Over time, the castle lost its military role and became an elegant residence. The Espinay family bought the castle in the 15th century and carried out alterations in the Italian Renaissance style. It remained their home for two centuries.

In the 17th century, the château became the property of Louis Bernin de Valentinay, who modernised and embellished the residence, and also established a 600 hectare garden designed by the famous landscape architect of Versailles, Le Nôtre. It was during the time of the Valentinay family that Perrault and Voltaire came to Ussé as guests.

The chateau is now owned by the Blacas d’Aulps family, the descendants of the Duchess of Duras Douairière who purchased the castle in 1802. A large part of the chateau is furnished with 18th century furniture and tapestries. The Sleeping Beauty connection has not been lost. In specially decorated rooms, some of the main scenes from the fairy tale are enacted.