Château d’Ussé

Around the year 1000, Gelduin I built the first fortress at Ussé. The basic structure of today's château dates from 1430 to 1450, when Jean V de Bueil, a captain of Charles VII, strengthened the site. From the late 15th century the Espinay family added Italian Renaissance features, and in the 17th century the Marquis de Valentinay modernised the house. Since 1807 it has belonged to the Blacas family, descendants of the Duchess of Duras.

The Forest of Chinon begins behind the château. Charles Perrault is said to have visited it and taken it as his model for "Sleeping Beauty"; rooms along the sentry walk show scenes from the fairy tale. The park is attributed to Le Nôtre, and Vauban had a hand in the terraces. The 16th-century chapel stands apart from the château. About two hours is enough for a visit. Also worth seeing are the Gothic chapel with its Renaissance doorway, the stables with historic carriages, the roughly 500-year-old oak roof frame and part of the cellar of the medieval fortress. The furnished rooms display mannequins in fashions from the 18th to the 20th century.