In the middle of town, a castle with its moats!
Once upon a time...
Once upon a time there was a pretty little castle. As it should be, it was surrounded by pretty moats forming a square. So far, classic! Where things are getting a little more unusual is that everything is in the middle of the city, one side being even bordered by a small avenue...
Onzain, a castle of triple interest...
The site, in a particularly strategic location, was most probably already occupied by the year 1000. On the primitive buildings, a castle was built towards the end of the 14th century, then another construction campaign took place in the middle of the 16th century, leaving only a large tower of the first castle.
This second construction gave birth to a large castle in the shape of an "L", in which Francis I stayed several times. Greatness and vicissitudes, only a small pavilion will remain.
Subsequently, major beautification and landscaping work was carried out, and then, from owner to owner, around 1845, the building that currently occupies the centre of the Islet des Douves will be built.
We now have about a hectare which, surrounded by water, offers an indescribable softness and charm, which you can extend poetically by walking in a boat among herons, swans and ornamental ducks, perhaps observing, next to a water lily, a carp that comes to greet you on the surface!
In addition, the museum presents a museum gallery which is displayed in the large room of 5 m under the ceiling, housed in the former large tower of the 14th century.
Finally, the current owners offer superb guest rooms to visitors, a family suite with four superbly furnished rooms, and a room located in the tower, a small room of 40 m² and 6.60 meters under the ceiling. To kill two birds with one stone, find out more about the cultural season of the Douves d'Onzain...
And just as the place was of strategic interest in ancient times, so too is it of interest to visitors, since, in the heart of the village of Onzain, it faces the Château de Chaumont, and is a quarter of an hour from Blois, Amboise, and Chenonceaux, or half an hour from Chambord or Tours.
Les Douves Onzain
41150 Onzain
Tél. :02 54 20 82 66
https://www.lesdouvesonzain.fr/
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