Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil, Ainay-le-Vieil, France

Built in 1300, Château d’Ainay-le-Vieil is surrounded by a moat of running water. Jacques Coeur bought the château in 1435 and Charles de Bigny (ancestor of the current owners) acquired in 1467. He built the main building in the late Gothic with Italian style.

In the large living room, a fireplace, one of the most beautiful fireplaces of the Loire Valley, remains of the visit of King Louis XII and Queen Anne of Brittany. For the chapel and its unique wall paintings, Charles appealed to Bigny workshop working on the cathedral of Bourges.

Memories of the Grand Colbert, minister of Louis XIV and Colbert’s all three brothers Napoleon's generals, are also presented.

In the park is a delightful and sweet-smelling rose garden. Some of the varieties of roses which are grown here date back to the 15th century.

References:

Château d’Ainay-le-Vieil
Eyewitness Travel Guide: Loire Valley. 2007

User Reviews

Vincent Keat (3 months ago)
An interesting castle but a bit off putting during the guided tour. The entire party kept getting locked in because the guide kept locking the doors. This wasn’t helped by him telling us to move forward and then waiting at each door. Once might be just a bit careless but this happened 5 or 6 times and was getting embarrassing.

Lars Erickson (9 months ago)
We stayed at Chateau D’Ainay-le-Vieil while traveling through France and loved it! It was the most amazing place to stay and with only 5 rooms you are guaranteed peace and quiet. The rooms were elegant and clean with lovely bathrooms. The chateau was lovely and we enjoyed relaxing in the drawing room but the gardens were the highlight. They were beautiful and the fact we had them to ourselves made it even nicer.

Robert McElhone (10 months ago)
Excellent. Stayed just the one night and wish it was longer. Alex got our bags into the golf buggy and took us to our sensational and large room with modern ensuite. Great dinner in the restaurant and picnic breakfast delivered to our door. Wonderful grounds to walk around. Very relaxing and highly recommend.

Mia Mai (10 months ago)
We stay in this castle’s room for one night. Alex and his wife were really nice and helpful. We enjoy the garden, the silent castle during night, and the beautiful castle. We are so excited to stay here and we love this experience.

Erwin T (12 months ago)
Really a nice castle, the guide did the tour with lots of passion. Tip: please improve/expand the English version of the tour. An audio goude would also be great. Extra points: for the charge station. Free charging ❤️ The lovely restaurant: food and service are very good!

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Kakesbeck is one of the largest medieval fortifications in Münsterland and the oldest castle in Lüdinghausen. The imposingly grown complex originated in 1120 as a motte, a small hilltop tower castle. After numerous changes of ownership, the castle was extended onto two islands, but it was not until the 14th century that it underwent significant alterations and extensions under the von Oer family. The estate experienced its heyday in the middle of the 18th century, when it covered an area of almost one square kilometre and consisted of five further outer castles in addition to the core castle, which were secured by ramparts and moats.

The well-maintained condition of the castle today is thanks to the late Wilfried Grewing, the former lord of the castle. The foundation named after him has been particularly committed to preserving the property since 2020.

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