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.
Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil, salon Colbert with framed portraits above a bookcase filled with leather-bound books
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The postern
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Discover the château grounds

A fortified château with its towers, moat, guardhouse, sentry walk... straight out of the Middle Ages, home to a gracious residenceA blend of flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance styles, built at the end of the 15th century by Lord de Bigny.

The family has lived here since 1467. Memorabilia of Colbert, Marie-Antoinette and Napoleon can be seen, as well as superb, majestic salons.

In the landscaped park with its century-old trees surrounding the medieval château , the Renaissance water gardens take us on a veritable walk through the art of gardening: the rose garden of old roses opposite the two Pavilions, the Carré en l'île with its palisade-trimmed hornbeams and the Chartreuses with a themed garden in each enclosure:
mixed-border, sculpted orchard, meditation garden, simple cloister and embroidery beds.

The main feature of this unique site is theomnipresence of water. Defensive when it surrounds the château, it becomes a source of pleasure when it flows around the gardens, forming the Grand Carré of the island, thanks to a judicious network of canals. Useful when, thanks to the interplay of shovels and weirs, it feeds the mill and the washhouse.

The Story

Discover the history of the family over 18 generations!

Le Château

Aerial view of château d'Ainay-le-Vieil, with moat and gardens

Discover the history of the Château since its construction!

Park & Gardens

Discover the Château's park and gardens, its rose garden, its chartreuse trees, ...

Practical info

detailed plan of château d'Ainay-le-Vieil, park and gardens

Here you will find all the information you need to prepare your visit.