The Salle des Archers, a vaulted room dating from the 17th century, is situated on the left as you enter the courtyard, opposite the Renaissance Logis, which is illuminated at night.
According to the standards, it can accommodate 250 seated people for meetings, seminars, conferences, concerts, receptions, weddings, cocktail parties, etc.
It has a surface area of about 200 square metres, partly covered with a short carpet, partly with a wooden floor of 5m x 8m used as a dance floor.
Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil, general view of the store
The postern
Salon Colbert
Chartreuse, the embroidery parterre
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Know the essentials: practical information

Opening times and periods, Friday, March 29 to Sunday, September 29, 2024

Guided tours of the castle interior.

The gardens and the Musée d'Art et Traditions Populaires are free to visit.

Friday, March 29 to Sunday, April 28 : 

  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: open from 10 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm*.
  • Tuesday: closed
  • Weekends and/or public holidays: open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday, April 29 to Sunday, September 1 :

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.* without interruption

Monday, September 2 to Sunday, September 29 : 

  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: open from 10 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm*.
  • Tuesday: closed
  • Weekends and/or public holidays: open from 10 am to 6 pm* .

* last access 30 minutes before château closes

** opening from 10am to 7pm for the European Heritage Days on Sunday September 22, 2024.

Guided tour times (duration approx. 1 h 30), season 2024 :

 

NEW: Theatrical tours for children on request*. Find out more

These times are subject to change, so please check the château's website before your visit.

April / May / June :

  • Monday to Friday: 10.15 a.m. / 10.45 a.m. / 2.15 p.m. / 4 p.m.
  • Saturday and Sunday: 10:15 / 10:45 /11:45/ 14:15 / 15:00 / 16:00 / 16:30

July/August :

  • Monday to Friday: 10:15 /10:45 /11:45 /14:30 /15:00 /16:00 /17:15
  • Saturday and Sunday: 10:15 / 10:45 /11:45 / 14:00 / 15:00 / 16:00 / 16:45 /17:15

September :

  • Monday to Friday: 10.15 a.m. / 10.45 a.m. / 2.15 p.m. / 4 p.m.
  • Saturday and Sunday: 10:15 / 10:45 /11:45/ 14:15 / 15:00 / 16:00 / 16:30

* Dramatized tours are organized on request and subject to availability.

* according to the health regulations in force at the time of the visit

 

2024

Castle*, parc and gardens
*guided tour

Visit
park and gardens
European Heritage Days 2024
ADULT* 11 € 8,50 € 7,50 €
CHILDREN* aged 12 to 18
(upon presentation of card)
STUDENT under 27,
UNEMPLOYED,
LARGE FAMILY*, PASS
8,00 € 7,00 € 6,00 €
CHILDREN* (ages 5 to 11) 7,00 € 6,00 € 4 €
CHILD* under 5 years Free of charge Free of charge Free of charge

ADULT GROUP
(from 20 people)

8,50 € 7,00 € NC

SCHOOL GROUP

7,00 € 6,00 € NC

Person with reduced mobility
(accompanying person free of charge)

  5,00 € Free of charge

PRIVILEGE PASS
Route Jacques Cœur*
(Pass purchase: €5)

11 €
€ 7.50
  NC

PASSPORT de la DEMEURE HISTORIQUE
Free and does not give rise to a preferential rate (simply, after 8 stamped visits, the visitor is offered a 1-year subscription to the DH magazine).

     

RHS members
Visit the gardens free of charge from June 1 to August 31 on presentation of your membership card.

  Free of charge NC

 

Payment methods :
Cash, Cheque, Credit card (except American Express), Holiday vouchers, Culture vouchers, Clarc vouchers, etc.

* Large family rate: on presentation of card

* Take advantage of the Jacques Coeur PRIVILEGE PASS to visit the Route Jacques Coeur sites and Route Jacques Coeur and some 50 partner sites. Obtain the PASS on the Route website or ask for it at the site reception desk.

Languages

  • French 🇫🇷
  • English 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (guided tours available on request or via a Wivisites app downloadable from the store)
  • Flamand 🇳🇱 (via an application downloadable from the store)
  • Spanish 🇪🇸 (via an application downloadable from the store)

A specially equipped parking area

Parking under video surveillance :
Google Maps link

  • 2 places to recharge an electric vehicle
  • 2 spaces for people with reduced mobility
  • 1 camper van space

Coaches are not allowed in the château parking lot, but can be parked next to the town hall.

Closed at night

People with disabilities

Due to the architecture of the building, certain areas within the château are narrow, making it impossible for wheelchair users to get around (access stairs to the ramparts and the Renaissance dwelling). However, the entire park and gardens remain accessible (lawn and sand).

For further information, please contact reception on 02 48 63 02 88

Your pets are welcome

They are only allowed in gardens and must be kept on a leash.

A "doggie bar" is accessible from the store.

For further information, please contact reception on 02 48 63 02 88

A landscaped area

In the château grounds, there is a special area for visitors wishing to picnic (see garden map).

However, picnicking is not permitted in the rose garden or the chartreuse trees.

For further information, please contact reception on 02 48 63 02 88

 

overview-plan des jardins-Ainay-2022

Travelling by bike :

Flyer accueil vélo - Walks on the banks of the Canal de Berry

Download flyer

50 kilometers of hiking and cycling trails between Saint-Amand-Montrond and Montluçon.

Activities for schoolchildren :

Labels and ratings


The château and gardens are listed as a "Monument Historique".
The gardens have been awarded the "Jardin Remarquable" label.

The site is a member of theAssociation des Châteaux de la Loire, the Demeure historique, the Route Jacques Coeur, the Jardins secrets en Berry, theAssociation des Parcs et Jardins de la région Centre (APJRC) and the Royal Horticultural Society.

The site has also been awarded the Nouvelles Renaissances and Accueil vélo labels.

The château is a member of the Qualité Tourisme initiative in the Centre Val de Loire region and is committed to the "Together for sustainable tourism" project.

The château's accommodations are members of the Gîtes de France and Charme & Traditions networks.

A 100 square metre area dedicated to welcoming visitors and selling souvenirs and gifts.

On the programme, decorative objects, delicatessen, books for adults and children, toys, not forgetting a charming flea market for bargain hunters and picnic baskets for gourmets. A great way to start or end your visit to the castle, its park and gardens.

A new must-visit address for discovering the expertise of local artisans and producers, as well as a selection of products created exclusively for Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil.
Highlights include our excellent Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil cuvée, created in association with the Bourgeois family, duck rillettes, lentils from Berry, honey from the château's bees...
As well as tablecloths from Thevenon, filament lamps, slate trays, a selection of Opinel knives, Casa Lopez tableware, Le Creusetcasseroles...

The restaurant "La Volière

The restaurant of La Volière offers traditional and regional cuisine for lunch under an aviary in the park facing the castle and for dinner in the covered "Lavoir".

Details

Fresh, local and French produce.
Weekly menu from €16 to €25.

Where?

"La Volière" is located at the entrance to the rose garden. The "Lavoir" is accessible via the store entrance.

Read more :

The Château is pleased to present its fun activities!

 

Come and experience a unique moment within the walls of the Corps de Logis Féodal.
Find out more...