Château du Rivau
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Moated in the 1400s and humanised by the Renaissance, half attractive château, half fortress, Le Rivau is one of the most important places in the Touraine region. In Rabelais' Gargantua, it was given to captain Tolmere as a reward for his victories in the Picrocholean Wars.
In 1429, towards the end of the Hundred Years' War, before the siege of Orleans, Joan of Arc and her followers came to fetch horses at Le Rivau, already renowned for the quality of its equipage and war horses who were raised there. In 1510 François de Beauvau, captain of François I, constructed the monumental stables in the outbuildings courtyard, that supplied royal stallions. He died at the Battle of Sesia River, at the side of Bayard, on 30 April 1524.
Since 1992, the new owners have undertaken a huge renovation campaign to prevent the decay of the castle, stable and winery. This ensemble is quite unique in the region and was designated as "Monument historique".
12 newly design gardens (listed as "remarkable gardens") evoke the medieval art of gardening, while temporary and permanent exhibits display contemporary art.
[edit] Official website
| Châteaux of the Loire Valley |
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|---|---|
| Amboise • Angers • Azay-le-Rideau • Blois • La Bourdaisière • Chambord • Chaumont • Chenonceau • Châteaudun • Cheverny • Langeais • Loches • Menars • Montsoreau • Plessis-Bourré • Le Rivau • Saumur • Sully • Talcy • Troussay • Ussé • Valençay • Villandry |
