In 2025, the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau celebrates its 500th anniversary, marking half a millennium of history, heritage, and culture. To mark this exceptional anniversary, the château is offering a series of events and activities that promise to impress and delight visitors. See the program details at the bottom of this article.
A jewel of La Renaissance
The Château d’Azay-le-Rideau was built in the early 16th century under the influence of the Italian Renaissance. It was commissioned by Gilles Berthelot, treasurer to King Francis I. The king’s emblem (the crowned salamander) can be found in several places throughout the building. This château embodies the elegance and refinement of this flourishing era. Its architecture, which subtly blends French and Italian styles, makes it one of the most emblematic monuments in the Loire Valley. The château is surrounded by a landscaped park and a reflecting pool (actually created only in the mid-20th century!) that reflects its elegant silhouette, providing an idyllic setting for visitors. A “small” castle in its proportions, compared to the “large” castles of northern Touraine such as Chambord, Chenonceaux, or Amboise, the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau is nevertheless one of the most elegant of its time.
A Festive and Cultural Program
To celebrate its 500th anniversary, the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau has prepared a rich and varied program that runs throughout the year. Among the festivities, a special show will be presented four evenings a week between July 16 and August 23. This show, entitled “The King’s Arrival,” retraces the visit of King Louis XIII to the château in June 1619. It requires the participation of 200 volunteers, including actors, dressmakers, chefs, and dressmakers. The volunteers will be trained and accompanied by professionals from the Théâtre des Minuits company, offering an immersive and authentic experience to spectators.
In addition to the show, the château is organizing a series of concerts, family activities, lectures, and temporary exhibitions. These events aim to rediscover the history and identity of the château, while offering a variety of artistic and cultural experiences. Azay-le-Rideau’s 2025 cultural season is designed to be accessible to all, with initiatives such as free admission, reduced rates, and easier transportation.
An Exceptional Cultural Season
The town of Azay-le-Rideau, in partnership with the Touraine Vallée de l’Indre Community of Communes, has organized an exceptional cultural season to celebrate this anniversary. In addition to the events organized by the château, the town offers a wide range of artistic experiences that reflect the wealth of local and national talent. Pop rock concerts, opera, jazz, gospel, theater, visual exhibitions, and participatory workshops are just some of the activities that will punctuate the year. The goal is to allow everyone to feel involved and find their place in this vibrant cultural ecosystem.
Accessibility is another pillar of this approach. The municipality aims to create optimal conditions so that everyone can fully enjoy this cultural season. Free admission, reduced rates, facilitated transportation, and adapted events are just some of the initiatives implemented to promote inclusion and accessibility.
A Heritage to (Re)discover
The Château d’Azay-le-Rideau is not only a historical monument, but also a place of life and culture. Visitors can discover the ornate grand staircase, the guard room rich in royal symbols, and furnished rooms that evoke the refined atmosphere of the period. The attic, with its magnificent oak timber framing, offers a unique perspective on the building and allows visitors to delve into the heart of its history. For your information, these attics have also been home to a colony of protected bats for several years. The landscaped park, laid out in the 19th century, offers a lush green setting around the château. Its winding paths and century-old trees create a relaxing setting for a pleasant family stroll. The famous reflecting pool, located opposite the main façade, poetically reflects the Renaissance architecture, highlighting the elegant silhouette of the monument
A Commitment to Heritage Preservation
The Château d’Azay-le-Rideau is managed by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, which is actively committed to the preservation and promotion of this exceptional heritage. Listed as a Historic Monument in 1905, the château has undergone numerous restorations aimed at preserving its bold architecture and rich interiors. This work has preserved the authenticity of the site while adapting it to modern conservation and public reception requirements.
Today, the château welcomes nearly 300,000 visitors each year from around the world who come to admire this Renaissance gem. On the occasion of its 500th anniversary, the château reaffirms its commitment to heritage preservation and the transmission of knowledge. Temporary exhibitions, guided tours, and participatory workshops are all initiatives that raise public awareness of the importance of this heritage and bring it to life on a daily basis
An Unforgettable Experience
The 500th anniversary of the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau promises to be an unforgettable experience for all visitors. Whether you’re a regular or a newcomer, this year of celebration is the perfect opportunity to rediscover this iconic monument and participate in unique activities. The festivities, shows, and exhibitions offer a total immersion in the history and culture of the Renaissance, while celebrating the château’s glorious past and promising future.
On the program for this exceptional season:
Volker Hermes Exhibition, from June 28 to November 2
The works of Volker Hermes, a German photographer and artist, are part of the château’s historical collection of paintings. His digital photomontages revisit the portraits of the great figures of our history by incorporating ornaments reworked from their costumes and finery.
“The Azay Conspiracy” Show, from July 16 to August 23, Wednesday to Saturday, from 7 p.m. to midnight
This show offers visitors an unforgettable immersive and theatrical experience, transporting them back to 1619, on the eve of the young Louis XIII’s arrival at the château and an assassination attempt on the king. This show mobilizes more than 200 volunteers and features a spectacular scenography featuring the château’s lighting.
La Roulotte d’Arlequin Show, Friday, July 11 at 5 p.m.
A zany show, a joyful and irreverent musical comedy that speaks to our collective imagination.
Lalilo Opera, Saturday, July 12 at 8:30 p.m.
A family-friendly show, this opera featuring three singers, ten musicians, and one dancer, performed outdoors, takes the castle as its backdrop.
“Illustre Renaissance” Show, Monday, July 28 at 4 p.m.
The Outre Mesure Company takes visitors on a captivating journey with Illustre Renaissance, a creation that celebrates the “beautiful minds” as well as the poets and women of the period. Through music, poetry, and artistic works, both ancient and contemporary, this storytelling concert pays brilliant tribute to them.
“The Night of Liéchi” Show, Monday, August 4th at 8:30 p.m.
A very contemporary staging of Anton Chekhov’s play, this immersive show begins with a banquet at the actors’ table and continues with a theatrical stroll through the park.
Renaissance Ball, Tuesday, July 29th starting at 8:00 p.m.
It’s a festive evening at the château! Join the dance to the sounds of the lute, sackbut, and guitar. Ballroom master Robin Joly will introduce you to Renaissance dances.
Historical Entertainment, Every Tuesday, take a leap back in time: between Renaissance parades, ancient games, and musketeer battles, come experience a historical adventure full of discovery and entertainment!
Nighttime Stroll, From July 16 to August 23, Wednesday to Saturday, from dusk to midnight
At nightfall, illuminated works of art appear
on the château’s facades. They create a new, contemplative and immersive universe that invites you to dream.