Château de Rivau

Château de Rivau, on the other hand, is all fairytale and creative fantasy near Villandry and Chinon. A visit to this castle begins with crossing the working drawbridge over the moat and emerging into the inner courtyard with the grand turreted castle in the background. The 14 fabulous gardens, which were established in 1995 and recognized by the French culture ministry as ‘Jardin Remarquable,’ (the remarkable garden) are packed with whimsical, sophisticated references to children’s fairytales. With a rose conservatory featuring 450 varieties and a lovely outdoor café, this is a delightful place to spend a couple hours. The medieval rooms showcase rotating contemporary art installations curated by the design-loving Parisian owners. Be sure to check ahead of time for children’s tours and activities.