Château et Jardins du Rivau Visites culturelles

Individual : Adults 10 Euros. Children (from 5 to 18 years old) : 7 Euros. Students : 8 Euros. Family pass (2 adults and 2 children) : 30 Euros.
Groups : 6,50 Euros (20 people min.). School parties : 5 Euros.
Pick Nick with regional specialties : 16 Euros.
Boutique, Regional products and drinks. In July and August regional food is available in the Gardens

Description :

A fairytale castle : An historically significant 15th century château, completed with moats, draw bridges, and dramatic fortifications. The site includes 16th century royal stables, barns, historic former winery and a dovecote. Immortalized by Joan of Arc and Rabelais. Le rivau was first built in the 13th century by the prestigious Beauvau family, related to kings of France. In 1429, towards the end of the Hundred Years War, before the siege of Orleans, Joan of Arc came to fetch horses at Le Rivau, already renowned for the quality of its equipage and war horses who where raised there. Pierre de Beauvau in 1438, (first chamberlain of king Charles VII) obtained authorisation in 1442 to fortify the castle.

During the Renaissance time, in 1510, his descendant, François de Beauvau, captain of king François I, constructed the monumental stables in the outbuildings courtyard, that supplied royal stallions. The legendary character Gargantua was first immortalised here, by french humanist Rabelais, in the 16th century. In the 17th century, Le Rivau was saved by Richelieu as his sister Françoise was married to Jean de Beauvau, lord of Rivau. At the end of the 20th century, with a wave of the magic wand, Le Rivau, after a ten-year restoration campaign once again found its original splendour, and seems once again to have come from the pages of a book of fairy tales and legends. Le Rivau, a medieval Jewel : A privately owned château, recently lovingly restored with the highest standards used during the entire restoration process, offers a unique way of enjoying art, history, the art of gardening, knowledge of wines in order to attract and satisfy an exclusive clientele.