ATTENTION, LAST DAY TO VISIT: Sunday, October 1
NEW in 2023: special tours for children on request Practical informationA Château, a park and gardens,
infinite sources of inspiration
A fortified castle
Ainay-le-Vieil, a 13th century fortified castle with its towers, moats, guardrooms, covered walkway... In the courtyard, two dwellings, one from the 13th century and a graceful residence dating from the end of the 15th century, which combines flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance styles. Bought by the Lords of Bigny in 1467, their descendants are still the owners of this private historical monument in which one can discover the memories and traces of illustrious people such as Louis XII and Anne de Bretagne, Colbert, Marie-Antoinette or Napoleon. So many testimonies of French History to be discovered during guided tours, through the superb and majestic rooms.
A park and gardens
In the landscaped park with century-old trees surrounding the castle, the gardens offer a beautiful contrast between the long perspectives on the water of the Renaissance canals and the enclosed gardens (Hortus conclusus) of the Carthusian monasteries. They guide us through a real walk in the art of gardens: the rose garden by two Renaissance Pavilions, the Carré en l'île with its palisade-cut hornbeams and the 5 chartreuses, each with its own themed garden: the mixed-border, the sculpted orchard, the meditation garden, the cloister of the simple and the parterres de broderies de buis.
Water as a link
This unique location is known for the omnipresence of water. Used for defense, as when surrounding the Château, it is for enjoyment when it flows around the gardens to form the Grand Carré de l’île, due to a sensible canal system and becomes useful when, through a series of weirs and spillways, it powers the mill and the wash-house.
Take advantage of the large spaces
for your receptions
Rentals, receptions, weddings, seminars, events, etc.
Staying at the Château

A night at the castle
Whether you have always dreamed of living the life of a castle or simply spending a night in an exceptional setting, the guest rooms of Ainay-le-Vieil are for you!
Discover the castle from a new angle and enjoy an enchanted interlude...

Gites designed for family and friends
The Château has created four gîtes in the outbuildings for those seeking peace and quiet to discover our beautiful region, or for those wishing to get together with friends or family. Furnished with taste and authenticity, they are the ideal setting for wonderful memories.
Discover our gardens...
The Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions

A permanent exhibition depicting daily life in the village of Ainay-le-Vieil before the 1914 war.
Discover the rural world, its customs, daily life and the wealth of trades that existed at the time: a shop, a classroom, a clogmaker's workshop, a blacksmith's workshop, old beehives and the typical interior of an early 20th-century farming family.