Culture and lifestyle Culture and arts
Château !
The television presenter André Manoukian visits some of the most beautiful châteaux of the Centre-Val-de-Loire region. Large or small, ancient or almost modern, unmissable or little-known: each a gem of French heritage with its own story to tell.


Culture and lifestyle | Culture and arts
The television presenter André Manoukian visits some of the most beautiful châteaux of the Centre-Val-de-Loire region. Large or small, ancient or almost modern, unmissable or little-known: each a gem of French heritage with its own story to tell.
Episode 66
13 min
Chamerolles
Between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, luxurious baths and captivating perfumes... At the Château de Chamerolles, history mingles with the scents of the 18th century.
Episode 65
13 min
Chevilly
Near Orléans, the Château de Chevilly reveals its elegant silhouette in the Beauce natural region.
Episode 64
13 min
Château du Hallier
Not far from Pithiviers, in Nibelle, the Château du Hallier was a gift from King Charles IX to Marie Touchet, the love of his life.
Episode 63
13 min
Sully-sur-Loire
The Sange Tower of the Château de Sully-sur-Loire, once a watchtower, offers a breathtaking view. Its exact use remains unclear, but it was probably used by soldiers. Historical research continues to uncover its mysteries.
Episode 62
13 min
Montreuil-Bellay
Perched on a rocky spur, the Château de Montreuil-Bellay was built for war. With its 15 defense towers and 600 meters of ramparts, the building resembles an unassailable fortress.
Episode 61
13 min
Château de la Verrerie
The Château de la Verrerie was built by a member of the Scottish Stuart family at the end of the 15th century. Later, King Louis XIV gave it to Louise de Kéroualle to thank her for helping bring peace between England and France.
Episode 60
13 min
Boucard
The Château de Boucard is located in Le Noyer, in the Cher department. From the dovecote to the kitchens, from the chapel to the farmyard, visit this emblematic site.
Episode 59
13 min
Brissac
It is the tallest castle in France: with its seven floors and 204 rooms, the Château de Brissac deserves its nickname "the giant of the Loire Valley".
Episode 58
13 min
Ainay-le-Vieil
The medieval Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil is built on the site of a 12th-century fortress. Its current owners count among their ancestors Jean-Baptiste Colbert, minister to Louis XIV.
Episode 57
13 min
Montsoreau
One of the very first castles of the Loire: the Château de Montsoreau, in Maine-et-Loire, is a true crossroads of art and history.
Episode 56
13 min
Chenonceau
Unique in France as it is the only bridge-castle, the Chenonceau castle hides captivating stories of the past within its walls.
Episode 55
13 min
Meillant
The Meillant castle, a major edifice of flamboyant Gothic with its famous Lion tower, has over a thousand years of history. It has the particularity of never having been sold.
Episode 54
13 min
Royal abbey of Fontevraud
Royal visit to the Fontevraud abbey with musical background.
Episode 53
13 min
Angillon chapel
The construction of the Angillon chapel castle dates back to the 11th century. Its square keep is one of the oldest in the region.
Episode 52
13 min
Saumur
Saumur: a fortress turned palace then prison, overlooking the Loire and whose flamboyant Gothic style even inspired some of the castles in Disney films.
Episode 51
12 min
Montigny-le-Gannelon
The Montigny-le-Gannelon castle, erected on ancient constructions dating back to the Carolingian era, housed the infamous Gilles de Rais.
Episode 50
13 min
Brézé
The Château de Brézé is a unique monument with its remarkably well-preserved troglodytic network, richly furnished rooms, and highly elaborate neo-Gothic architecture.
Episode 49
12 min
Palais Jacques-Coeur
The Palais Jacques-Coeur is one of the very first examples of a Gothic civil residence, symbolizing the success of the wealthy merchant who became the treasurer of King Charles VII.
Episode 48
13 min
Petit Thouars
In Touraine, the Château du Petit Thouars is today famous for its 15 hectares of vineyards, renowned worldwide.
Episode 47
13 min
Châteaudun
The Château de Châteaudun stands above the Loire. Its history is marked by its owner Jean de Dunois, the bastard of Orléans, supporter of Joan of Arc.
Episode 46
13 min
Les Ormes
Accused of an attack against King Louis XV, the Count of Argenson was confined in the Château des Ormes. He welcomed the greatest philosophers of the Enlightenment there.
Episode 45
13 min
Lourmarin
The Château de Lourmarin, in the Luberon, stands in a strategic place allowing it to monitor the only access route to climb the massif.
Episode 44
13 min
La Mothe-Chandeniers
Between vegetal madness and architectural prowess, the Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers is today the largest co-ownership in the world.
Episode 43
13 min
Langeais
The Château de Langeais, half fortress, half Renaissance residence, hosted the secret marriage of Anne of Brittany to the King of France, Charles VIII.
Episode 42
13 min
Prieuré Saint-Cosme
The Prieuré Saint-Cosme is more than a castle: it is also the former home of a major figure in French literature, Pierre de Ronsard.
Episode 41
13 min
Grand-Pré
The Grand-Pré castle, a Provençal bastide long abandoned, has housed great names in the history of medicine.
Episode 40
13 min
Ussé
Famous for having inspired "Sleeping Beauty" by Charles Perrault, the Château d'Ussé is linked to the history of France, but also to that of the Egyptologist Champollion.
Episode 39
13 min
Fougères-sur-Bièvre
The Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre is an intruder: it mixes the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Pierre de Refuge built it in the 15th century as a symbol of his power.
Episode 38
13 min
Château-Gaillard
At the royal estate of Château-Gaillard, a very special plum was born: the Reine-Claude, in honor of the wife of François I.
Episode 37
13 min
Gué-Péan
Gué-Péan is a Renaissance castle sought by rich merchants and right-hand men of King Charles VIII and King Louis XII.
Episode 36
13 min
Cheverny
With its imposing dimensions and refined architecture, Cheverny Castle inspired the artist Hergé's construction of his Moulinsart Castle.
Episode 35
13 min
La Rivière
La Rivière Castle forms part of a crazy, unfinished project aimed at bringing water from the Eure River to Versailles to supply the Sun King's fountains.
Episode 34
13 min
Chémery
Chémery Castle combines medieval and Renaissance architecture. It is owned by the singer Alain Souchon and is currently in the process of being restored.
Episode 33
13 min
Nitray
Jewel of the Renaissance, Nitray Castle has a place among the great castles, with its architectural charm and English-style park.
Episode 32
13 min
Chaumont-sur-Loire
Chaumont-sur-Loire Castle has proudly imposed over the Loire River for around 550 years. Catherine de Médicis, Diane de Poitiers, Nostradamus: it has welcomed many visitors!
Episode 31
13 min
Villesavin
Villesavin Castle, built for the lord of Villandry, was a forerunner in classical style marked by the harmony and symmetry of its exterior walls.
Episode 30
13 min
Jallanges
It was Louis XI who launched the construction of Jallanges Castle. Building on the foundations of a local feudal castle, he gave the new construction a Venetian Renaissance inspiration.
Episode 29
13 min
Saché
In the heart of the Touraine, Saché Castle was a privileged place for inspiration for Honoré de Balzac. He wrote a good many of his works there.
Episode 28
13 min
Maintenon
Maintenon Castle is a small, richly furnished jewel; its magnificent French-style gardens lead to the ruins of Vauban aqueduct.
Episode 27
12 min
Troussay
Troussay is the smallest castle in the Loire Valley. Protecting heritage is at the heart of its concerns.
Episode 26
13 min
Amboise
In turn, a medieval fortress, royal residence or sumptuous prison, Amboise Castle is quite unique. Leonardo da Vinci even wanted to be buried there!
Episode 25
13 min
Beaugency
Built in the 11th century, it remains emblematic of the Middle Ages. Beaugency Castle played a particularly strategic role during the Hundred Years War.
Episode 24
13 min
Beauregard
Jewel of Renaissance architecture, the Château de Beauregard is also home to a gallery displaying over 300 legendary portraits.
Episode 23
13 min
Blois
A true architectural gem, the Château de Blois has been the theatre of innumerable historic events. Today, it is home to a museum with a rich collection of art.
Episode 22
13 min
Azay-le-Rideau
Standing on its island, veritable jewel of the Loire Valley, the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau is an architectural icon, the perfect setting for all the mysteries of the Renaissance.
Episode 21
12 min
Valençay
The Château de Valençay, with its sumptuous gardens in classic French style, offers a veritable immersion in the history and splendour of French nobility.
Episode 20
13 min
Gizeux
Combining a range of different architectural styles, the Château de Gizeux has been home to several aristocratic French families down the centuries.
Episode 19
13 min
Islette
Jewel of the Renaissance, the Château d'Islette was home to the famous sculptor Camille Claudel. Its richly decorated rooms and enchanting gardens offer a bewitching experience to all who visit.
Episode 18
13 min
Bouges
The Château de Bouges offers a sublime immersion in period luxury and splendour with its sumptuous rooms and classic French-style gardens.
Episode 17
13 min
Champchevrier
With its imposing towers and remarkable architecture, the Château de Champchevrier embodies all the charm and majesty of Touraine.
Episode 16
13 min
Thoiry
Bearing witness to the endless turmoil of history, the Château de Thoiry is unique in its superb safari park, combining architecture and biodiversity.
Episode 15
13 min
Chambord
The Château de Chambord is a grandiose project commissioned by François I.
Episode 14
13 min
Monte-Cristo
The Château de Monte-Cristo is a little architectural folly designed by the writer Alexandre Dumas.
Episode 13
13 min
Candé
The Château de Candé has had various billionaire and extravagant owners. It is known for having hosted the wedding of Edward VIII, Duke of Windsor, and Wallis Simpson.
Episode 12
13 min
Montpoupon
Situated between Loches and Montrichard, the fortified castle of Montpoupon has been the setting for several film shoots.
Episode 11
13 min
Saint-Fargeau
The Château de Saint-Fargeau, despite suffering a lot of damage over the centuries, inspired Jean d'Ormesson for his novel "Au plaisir de Dieu".
Episode 10
13 min
Meung-sur-Loire
The Château de Meung-sur-Loire is a unique site abounding with fascinating stories, which presents itself as an authentic episcopal palace.
Episode 9
13 min
Loches
An imposing keep, a royal lodging with a thousand stories: welcome to the royal city of Loches, one of France's most remarkable fortified constructions.
Episode 8
12 min
Le Rivau
The Château du Rivau, elegant and flowery, is a real paradise for fans of flowers and vegetable gardens.
Episode 7
13 min
Saint-Brisson
In Saint-Brisson-sur-Loire, the château has been home to a remarkable gallery of characters and interesting stories.
Episode 6
13 min
Chinon
The Royal Fortress of Chinon reflects the most glorious period of the Middle Ages, a single unit composed of three castles.
Episode 5
12 min
Talcy
The château de Talcy, with its poetic inspiration, is an enchanting refuge.
Episode 4
13 min
Chambord
Over a million visitors per year, 282 chimneys, 77 stairways, 400 rooms in total: the Château de Chambord is not to be missed.
Episode 3
13 min
La Ferté Saint-Aubin
In Sologne, the Château de la Ferté Saint-Aubin was designed to control the river and thus protect the royal city of Chambord.
Episode 2
13 min
La Bussière
The Château de La Bussière, in the Loiret, is special insofar as it is situated in the middle of an expanse of water, surrounded by 60 hectares of gardens.
Episode 1
13 min
Villandry
Nicknamed the garden of France, the Château de Villandry, in Indre-et-Loire, has the most beautiful gardens alongside those of Versailles.
The television presenter André Manoukian visits some of the most beautiful châteaux of the Centre-Val-de-Loire region. Large or small, ancient or almost modern, unmissable or little-known: each a gem of French heritage with its own story to tell.
Réalisation : André Manoukian
Catégories Culture and lifestyle Culture and arts
Casting :
Provenance : France

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