Classical facade
Pale stone and domes.
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The Château de Cheverny stands in parkland in the village of Cheverny, in the Loir-et-Cher department of central France, about 13 km in a straight line south-east of Blois. The Hurault family held the land from the late 14th century. After it was lost to the Crown, Henry II gave it to Diane de Poitiers, who sold it back to the family. Henri Hurault, Count of Cheverny, had the present château built between 1624 and 1630 by Jacques Bougier, an architect from Blois, and his descendants still own it and live in part of it. The long, symmetrical facade of pale stone, with slate domes and a central pavilion, is a model of the Classical style. Inside, the rooms keep their furniture, painted ceilings, tapestries and family pieces, and the grounds include a large park, a kitchen and flower garden and a big display of tulips in spring. The château is said to have inspired Marlinspike Hall in the Tintin books, and an exhibition on the story is part of the visit. Allow two to three hours; Blois and Chambord are both about 13 km away in a straight line.
Pale stone and domes.
Furniture and painted ceilings.
A large garden display.
Cheverny, Loir-et-Cher, France
Yes, the family's descendants live in part of it.
Two to three hours.