Azay-le-Rideau castle

The Azay-le-Rideau castle, located in the commune of the same name in the French department of Indre-et-Loire, is considered a masterpiece of the French Renaissance. The first fortress on the site of the castle was built in the XII century and was an important defensive structure on the Indre River. The fortress was destroyed in 1418 by the army of the future King Charles VII for the insult inflicted on him by the owner of the castle, the Duke of Burgundy. The modern castle was built in 1510 by the new owner, treasurer of King Francis I, Gilles Verthelot. The facades of the castle are separated by friezes and pilasters and decorated with pediments. The building of gray stone is crowned with pointed turrets. The decoration of the building is an Italian-style staircase with straight flights, three loggias and magnificent decorations. The interiors of the castle, which have survived to this day, are richly decorated with sculptures, Flemish tapestries, antique furniture and portraits of royalty. All of this has been open to the public since 1905, when the castle was acquired by the French government.