Spring is here, and with it comes a 2026 season that promises to be truly wonderful. The château renewed splendor, the gardens are ablaze with their most beautiful colors, and a program full of surprises awaits you.
The restoration of Château completion
After six years of work, the restoration of château is now well and truly complete.
The final phase was devoted to the restoration of the castle, with its three towers and drawbridge. “The result is simply stunning and moving,” the owners would add.
After a period marked by scaffolding, stonemasons, carpenters, and roofers, the Château , a designated Historic Monument, has regained its full majesty.
Arielle and Hervé Borne, château owners, undertook this major restoration project with a constant focus on preserving a vibrant place that is open to the public and deeply rooted in its local community.
Aphotography exhibitionby Arielle de La Tour d’Auvergne traces the history of this restoration, showing the château it was in 2019 when the current owners château over, and as it stands today, seven years later, fully restored.
On display within the walls of the Museum of Art and Folk Traditions at château, this series of before-and-after photographs demonstrates just how possible it is to restore a 13th-century site steeped in history to its former glory, thanks to the talent of local artisans and businesses and the drive of the owners, who invite the public to discover the richness of this heritage and its adaptability to the realities of the 21st century.
This was a long-term and exceptional project led by Richard Duplat, Chief Architect for Historic Monuments, who oversaw every stage of the planning process through to the completion of the work, thanks to the talent of the companies involved in this project: Les Métiers du Boisfor the roof framing and woodwork,Peslardfor the roofing,Jaquetfor the masonry and stone carving,Tollisfor the restoration of Renaissance paintings, andTrotignonfor painting the woodwork…
We would like to thank the Ministry of Culture for its support since the project began, as well asthe Heritage Foundation and Airbnb, as part of the “Heritage and Local Tourism” program, for their assistance in restoring the feudal residence.
Claudi Casanova Takes Over the Gardens
Through September 27, the‘exhibition by the Catalan artist Claudi Casanovas features about fifteen works, installed in the château park and rose garden.
Her artistic work explores textures and aesthetics inspired by nature, particularly by seeking to reproduce the effects of natural rocks.
This source of inspiration is reflected in her work through an exploration that evokes raw earth transformed by time and the elements, seeking to create works that tell a story of matter and time, sometimes incorporating natural cycles such as that of the moon. Her work with materials can evoke natural elements such as stones, fruits, or leaves, creating a sculptural “garden” where light plays a central role. The works thus engage in a dialogue with the park and the château, effectively bridging the gap between nature and culture.
An exhibition organized in collaboration with the Galerie Capazza.
Like the previous artists, one of his works will be added to the collection of Arielle and Hervé Borne every treasure Hervé Borne is on permanent display in the heart of château gardens.
Our Team for the 2026 Season
At the start of the season, we like to pay tribute to the various teams at Château .
Jérôme Dieu, the caretaker. He looks after the château great care. With him around, you feel safe.
Thanks to the efforts ofNicolina Ionescu, our sales manager, assisted byCatherine Bellanger, the château growing and becoming increasingly well-known to the public. This growing business is managed byValérie Kuntz, our secretary and bookkeeper, who has been with us for many years.
Our housekeeping fairies,Magali JunchatandGhislaine Rizat, take care of the cleaning.
The gardening team is led by our head gardener,Florent Emanuel. He and his team—David Touche,Frédéric Combier, andLouis Ferrasson, our apprentice—work to maintain the beauty of the gardens, which have been designated Jardin remarquable awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide.
They are our first point of contact with visitors: our reception team and our guides.Stéphanie Audineauis our new gift shop manager.Meidhi Brahim, who has been with château 15 years, trains our guides.Ambre Antoine, our new guide, is ready to lend a hand toJustine MuratandOmbeline Chêne, our guides and receptionists.
Let’s not forgetOlivier Barilletfor his help in maintaining the park—especially the lawns—AZ Paysagesfor planting annuals and pruning the hornbeams, andPalin Paysagesfor optimizing the irrigation system.
Laetitia Morand, our graphic designer and webmaster, manages the château presence and creates all of our visual materials: posters, flyers, signage, etc.
Thank you toJérémie Jaquemin, the designer of our Escape Game, and toAnthony, who welcome participants of all ages as they set out on this adventure.
Thank you to the chef Maria Rodriguez for always being at the helm of the restaurant La Volière much to the delight of our taste buds.
Reservations are recommended via email at restaurantlavoliere@gmail.com or by phone at +33 248630287. For more information:www.lavoliererestaurant.com
The New Renaissances
During the 2026 season, the château is partnering with the7thedition of“Nouvelles Renaissances,” which is centered on the theme of“Metamorphoses.” The history of the Centre-Val de Loire region is particularly rich, but far from being confined solely to the past; our region has always known how to reinvent itself and evolve.
The château is participating in this theme through several events and exhibitions. Notably, through the exhibition on display at the Museum of Art and Folk Traditions:“The Château : The Story of a Renovation—Before and After.” A photographic exhibition highlighting the château restoration and its new lease on life, while celebrating the bicentennial of the invention of photography.
“Metamorphosis” throughthe exhibition by ceramic artist Claudi Casanovasin the rose garden, where his works bridge the gap between nature and culture and evoke raw earth transformed by time and the elements.
Or during theRencontres Musicales Château ,” a festival that thrives and radiates throughout the region, offering moments of exchange, camaraderie, and discovery against extraordinary backdrops: the Château , the Pyramide des métiers d’art, the Church of Saint-Amand Montrond, and the Abbey of Noirlac.
So many moments of “metamorphosis” to discover throughout the 2026 season.
Ainay celebrates children
What better way to kick off the season on a cheerful note than by celebrating the children? That’s exactly what the Château wanted to do by dedicating Easter Sunday, April 5, to them.
The program featured a fun-filled day for the whole family in the château beautifully restored setting. The egg hunt began first thing in the morning. Hundreds of decorative eggs were scattered throughout the park, along the moat, and on the Poets’ Alley. Hunters had to find six eggs of different colors to receive a bag of real chocolate eggs as a reward. The luckiest ones discovered the rare Melusine eggs and left with a magnificent chocolate dragon in their hands. The day was made even more fun because the children could try their hand at circus activities and traditional games, ride mechanical ponies thanks to@associationtoutazimut, or take a tour of château the backs of real ponies thanks to the team at@écuries Deuquet.
The event was a huge hit with families, and we’ll be holding it again next year, once again offering free admission for those under 18.
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