Sarzay Castle

Step inside a medieval fortress that feels frozen in time. The Château de Sarzay, built during the Hundred Years' War, rises from the Berry countryside with its massive rectangular keep and four round corner towers crowned by machicolations. Unlike polished museum castles, Sarzay invites you to handle real medieval weapons, try on chainmail, and climb the turrets for sweeping views over the fields. The castle's owner, Richard Hurbain, has been restoring the fortress by hand since 1982 and can often be spotted working on the grounds. George Sand drew inspiration from this very castle for her novel Le Meunier d'Angibault. The castle is open from April through December with a midday break between noon and 2 PM — plan your visit for the morning or afternoon session.