Chateau du Rivau, Le Coudray

With its majestic keep and protective drawbridge, the Château du Rivau seems to come straight out of a fairytale. Its square layout is that of a 13th century fortified château. The square shaped keep was the heart of the château's fortification. Yet the Rivau was one of the first ornamental châteaux to be built: its cheminées, wide windows and frescos endow it with a harmonious style. In the dining hall, a biblical episode of the Feast of Belshazzar is depicted over the mantelpiece by a Flemish master of the 16th century. The château's gardens were directly inspired by medieval tales and folklore. The château also has a permanent art exhibition in its gardens.