Monday 29 August 2011

The Chateau at Rivau and its fairy tale gardens

As my daughter is staying with us we took a trip to the Chateau at Rivau, about 15 kilometres north of Braye.

The chateau dates from the 13th and 15th centuries and was built by the Beauvau family who were related to the kings of France. Recent work allows visitors to see the site as it was back in the 15th century.

There are five rooms within the chateau open to the public and one of these houses an international collection of antique musical instruments, some of which visitors are allowed to handle and play.

The Royal Stables now house a skilfully projected history of royal horses and horses of myth and legend.


The gardens were just wonderful. Four hundred species of scented roses have made Le Rivau "the French Conservatory of fragrant roses".

Huge vegetables grow in the potager of Gargantua and I have a feeling it may have set Colin thinking.....

 Then it was on to the Fairy Tale gardens.....

 
 
 
 
 

If you look closely you can see Rapunzel letting down her hair...

It was a truly enchanting place for children of all ages to enjoy. There is so much more to tell that we may well post a sequel!

4 comments:

Diane said...

There are truly some amazing châteaux in France and this is no exception. Wonderful photos. Diane

GaynorB said...

I am definitely adding this chateau to our ever growing list of places to see.

In fact we might even go tomorrow!

I love the idea that you are encouraged to handle the instruments. I look forward to reading/seeing more about it.

Susan said...

It's one of our favourites too. I think Patricia, the owner, may be a very remarkable person. The restoration of the chateau and the creation of the garden is the work of someone with real flair combined with a real sense of history.

Craig said...

What an interesting and beautiful place. Those oversized garden tools are wonderful! Gardening with a sense of humour!