The Salle des Archers, a 17th-century vaulted room, is on the left as you enter the courtyard, opposite the Renaissance Logis, which is illuminated in the evening.
According to standards, it can accommodate 250 seated guests for meetings, seminars, conferences, concerts, receptions, weddings, cocktails, etc...
It has a surface area of around 200 square meters, partly covered with short-pile carpeting, partly with a 5m x 8m wooden floor serving 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 to the public,
Saturday, March 29 to Sunday, September 28, 2025

You have free access to the Musée d'Art et Traditions Populaires and to the temporary exhibitions of the season, to the store and to the restaurant La Volière.

To enter the Gardens and the Château, you need a ticket. You can choose between :

  • Guided tours of the château interior,
  • The gardens can be visited on your own or with a guide (New in 2025). Check timetable
  • admission to the Musée d'Art et Traditions Populaires is included in the ticket.
  • a special tour (see dedicated tab)

    Saturday, March 29 to Sunday, April 27 (closed on Tuesdays): 

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

    Monday, April 28 to Sunday, August 31 :

    Every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.* without interruption

    Monday, September 1 to Sunday, September 28 (closed on Tuesdays): 

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

      * last access 30 minutes before château closes

      ** opening from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the European Heritage Days on Sunday, September 21, 2025.

      Guided tour times (duration approx. 1 h 15), season 2025 :

      Ces horaires sont susceptibles de changer, n’hésitez pas à appeler le +33 2 48 63 02 88 pour vérifier les informations.

      New for 2025: historical guided tours of the gardens*.

      April (closed on Tuesdays) :

      • Monday to Friday :  
        • 10 h 15
        • 10 h 45
        • 14 h 15
        • 16 h
      • Saturday and Sunday :  
        • 10 h 15
        • 10 h 45
        • 11 h 45
        • 14 h 15
        • 15 h
        • 16 h

      April (from 28) / May / June / July / August :

      • every day :
        • 10 h 15
        • 10 h 45
        • 11 h 45
        • 14 h 30
        • 15 h
        • 16 h
        • 17 h

      September (closed on Tuesdays) :

      • Monday to Friday :
        • 10 h 15
        • 10 h 45
        • 14 h 15
        • 16 h
      • Saturday and Sunday:
        • 10 h 15
        • 10 h 45
        • 11 h 45
        • 14 h 15
        • 15 h
        • 16 h

      Since 2023, the Château 's guides have been creating theatrical tours for children. See the dedicated tab for details of times and conditions.

      * Guided tours of the gardens: call +33 2 48 63 02 88 for more information.

      Schedule of dramatized tours for children :

      Ces horaires sont susceptibles de changer, n’hésitez pas à appeler le +33 2 48 63 02 88 pour vérifier les informations.

      April / May / June / September* :

      • every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday :  
        • 15 h

      School vacations (July - August) and public holidays* :

      • every day :
        • 16 h
      * A minimum of 5 children is required for the theatrical tour. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, our guides will provide a classic guided tour.
      The team of guides invites you to book your theatrical tour by calling the Château reception desk on +33 2 48 63 02 88.

        New for 2025: PRIVILEGE VISIT (duration approx. 2 h) :

        Be the privileged guests of the château for an evening visit during which you, as a couple or in a group, will discover the history of the château, its family and its anecdotes...

        NEXT DATE: Friday June 6 at 5 p.m.
        Find out more

        Tell us what you'd like to see, and we'll put together a personalized tour for you... From the Logis renaissance to the Salon Colbert, from the Chapel to the Carthusian monasteries and the Rose Garden, each place will reveal its secrets. We'll extend this exceptional experience with a welcome drink at the end of your visit.

        • A guided tour based on your wishes,
        • Exclusive access to gardens usually closed to the public,
        • Tasting a glass ( Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil cuvée),
        • You can continue the evening with dinner at La Volière, the Château's restaurant.

        Tour in French (English subject to availability).

        Total service time: two hours

        Quote on request

        Validity: in season. Departure at 6:30 pm. Reservations required.

        Information et réservation : accueil@chateau-ainaylevieil.fr – tél. : +33 2 48 63 02 88

         

        March 29 to September 28, 2025

        Château, parc and gardens
        *guided tour of the château or gardens

        		 Park and gardens European Heritage Days 2025
        ADULT* 12,50 € 10 € NC
        CHILDREN* aged 5 to 18,
        STUDENT under 27 (upon presentation of student card),
        UNEMPLOYED*, LARGE FAMILY*        		 9,50 € 8,50 € NC
        CHILD* under 5 years Free Free Free

        ADULT GROUP
        (from 20 people)

        		 10 € 8,50 € NC

        SCHOOL GROUP

        		 8,50 € 7,50 € NC

        Visitor with reduced mobility or disability*
        (free companion)

        		 6,50 € 6,50 € Free

        PASS PRIVILEGE
        Route Jacques Cœur*
        (purchase of Pass: €6)

        		 12.5 €
        9 €        		 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 NC

        NEW! Annual pass
        - unlimited access to the gardens,
        - 1 free guided tourchâteau OR gardens) for the current season,
        - reduced-rate access to guided tourschâteau or gardens) for the current season (€9.50).

         

        		 30 € - -

        NEW! Coupled ADULT ticket
        (Guided tour of gardens + château)

        		 16 €  

        NEW! Coupled ticket for CHILDREN aged 5 to 18
        (Guided tour of gardens + château)

        		 13 €  

         

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

        * Unemployed persons and large families: upon presentation of proof of employment

        * Visitors with reduced mobility (free companion): disability card holders

        * Take advantage of the Jacques Coeur PRIVILEGE PASS to visit the Route Jacques Coeur sites and Route Jacques Coeur and some 30 partner sites. Obtain the PASS on the Route website or ask for it at the site reception desk.

        Languages

        • French 
        • English (visit possible with a guide on request or via a Wivisites application downloadable from the store)
        • Dutch (via an application downloadable from the store)
        • Spanish (via an application downloadable from the store)
        • Italian (via an application downloadable from the store)
        • Chinese (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
        • 2 motorhome spaces

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

        Closed at night

        Equipment specially designed for cyclists

        • Bike parking,
        • electric bike recharging facilities (ask at reception),
        • free luggage storage available (ask at reception),
        • repair kit available (ask at reception).

        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

        Click to download Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil documentation in PDF format (requires Acrobat Reader) using the links below*.

        PRESENTATION

        EXHIBITIONS, EVENTS

        COMING BY BIKE

        ACTIVITIES FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN

        ACCOMMODATION AT CHÂTEAU D'AINAY-LE-VIEIL

        RENTALS, RECEPTIONS, WEDDINGS, SEMINARS, EVENTS AT CHÂTEAU D'AINAY-LE-VIEIL

         

        * Please note: these documents are subject to copyright, i.e. you may download, copy and use them privately, but they may not be published in any media (paper, internet, dvd) without our prior authorization.

        Labels and ratings


        The château and gardens are listed as a "Monument Historique".
        The gardens have been awarded the "Jardin Remarquable" label and 2 stars in the Michelin Guide.

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

        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 accommodation is a member of the Gîtes de France and Charme & Traditions networks, and has won the Travel & Hospitality Award 2024.