Photos courtesy of Château de Chissay
This Renaissance château had its origins in the 13th century and was finished 300 years later. It belonged to the dukes of Choiseul and later to Pierre Bèrard, treasurer to Charles VII. The king came to stay here in 1452 and again in 1454. Ten years later King Louis XI paid several visits, and in 1940 General Charles de Gaulle stayed for a few days before departing for the UK. Shortly afterwards, the German army occupied the castle.
Pamela’s Perspective
Don’t expect something like the more glamorous Château d’Artigny, which is not too far away. This is a different kind of place—much quieter for one.
Definitely choose one of the superior bedrooms on a lower floor inside the château for accommodations; they are the better rooms. There are some attic rooms with sloping ceilings that may not suit everyone.
Château de Chissay
A 15th-century castle
Contact
41400 Chissay-en-Touraine
Tel: ++33 (0)2 54 32 32 01
Hotel website
Reserve with Booking.com
Fast facts
32 rooms, including 11 apartments
Double rooms:
from 130–299 euros
Suites: from 310 euros
Rates include tax and service
Open: first week of April to mid-November
Getting there
Chissay is east of Tours. From Montrichard, the castle is just a few km west on D-176.
What to do
On site: swimming pool
Nearby: Chenonceaux and the
Loire châteaux; fishing;
horseback riding; bicycling;
golf; hot air ballooning
Weddings
Yes. Inquire hotel for details.
Half the fun of visiting the Loire Valley is to drive along the back roads that wind through countryside full of woods and greenery. The Château de Chissay is the kind of place that suddenly appears on one of these drives and delightfully surprises you when you discover that it’s actually a hotel.
The grounds of the castle are so peaceful and serene, you’ll want to whisper so as not to break the silence.
Most guest rooms have antiques, fireplaces, and views of the Loire Valley, the courtyard, or the swimming pool. Of special note are the mosaics in the bathrooms that portray characters in French history that affected the fortunes of the castle.
A fine restaurant opens onto a terrace, and private dining salons in the Gothic-style cellars are also available. Reservations are essential.
Something special
Peaceful location near Chenonceaux