Château de Valençay, Valençay
Plan your visit
Valençay: Castle and Automobile Museum
2 attractions · 3h 52min · transit route
Tickets ~€22
Step-by-step route with transport options and cost breakdown
About Château de Valençay
Château de Valençay is a Renaissance castle in the Loire Valley, built over roughly 230 years starting around 1520 by the d'Estampes family. Its north facade and towers draw direct comparison to Chambord in scale and ambition. In 1803, Napoleon ordered his foreign minister Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand to purchase the estate as a venue for diplomatic receptions, and Talleyrand transformed it into one of the most lavishly furnished private residences in France, with approximately 100 rooms.
Château de Valençay — Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Ticket Prices
Château & Park
RecommendedIncludes access to château interior (25 rooms), formal gardens, and 53-hectare park. Reduced rate (11.50€) for children 7-17, students, and unemployed. Seasonal opening: March to January, closed January-March.
Park Only
Château & Automobile Museum
Combined ticket for château interior, park, and the Automobile Museum (60+ vintage vehicles from 1898 to present). Reduced rate (14€) for children 7-17, students, and unemployed.
In day plans, the recommended ticket is pre-selected and included in the total price.
Combine with 1 nearby attractions for a full day
From €22 / person — all tickets and transport included — transit route with total cost breakdown
During World War II, the Louvre secretly evacuated some of its most valuable artworks to Valençay for safekeeping. The Winged Victory of Samothrace and the Venus de Milo — two of the most visited sculptures on earth — were stored here along with pieces from the French Crown Jewels collection.
Travel Plans for Château de Valençay
Explore a city in one day
- Step-by-step walking route through the city
- Transport options with travel times and fares
- Entrance fees and opening hours for every stop
- Total cost calculated based on your preferences
Day Routes
Nearby Attractions
Collegiate Church of Saint-Aignan
Church of Saint Stephen of Romorantin
Collegiate Church of Saint-Aignan