The Azay-le-Rideau Castle

The Azay-le-Rideau Castle is one of the earliest French Renaissance châteaux constructed in the Loire Valley. Built on an island in the Indre River, 15 miles southwest of Tours (and about 150 miles southwest of Paris), its foundations rise straight out of the water. One of the many impressive features of the Azay-le-Rideau Castle is the central staircase, with open windows overlooking the courtyard, a very novel idea for the time it was built. The Azay-le-Rideau Castle is 'L' shaped, the two arms enclosing the courtyard and terminating in round towers (19th century additions). One can only marvel at the charming and majestic Azay-le-Rideau Castles that reflects such serenity and projects the image of a certain gentle and romantic way of life or haven of peace. It is hard to imagine that until the reign of François 1st, the Azay-le-Rideau Castle had a defensive objective and looked like all the fortresses of the area.