A romantic outing on the banks of the Indre
It is such a wonderful experience to visit this place for the first time! To know that this kind of heritage exists. Tall trees, the winding river, flower beds, the beautiful stone of the Château de L’Islette… Visitors soon find themselves in a contemplative mood. You can take your time, especially if you have the whole day!
The Château de l’Islette with Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel…
Your morning can begin with a visit to the château, which is in some ways similar to the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, a few miles away. Although remodelled several times, the Château really does date from the Renaissance, as construction was completed in 1530.
Two bronzes by Camille Claudel will attract your attention: La Petite Châtelaine and Les Causeuses. The statues are a reminder that the sculptor stayed at L’Islette several times from 1890 in the company of Auguste Rodin, who came here to work on his “Monument to Balzac“ (his model lived in Azay-le-Rideau and resembled the writer, who had died in 1850).
Another specific feature of the Château de L’Islette is that the Michaud family, the château owners, live here for part of the year. Some rooms in the monument recall past centuries, while others are far more contemporary. Here you can see a château that has passed through the centuries!
The main room in the château
All the comfort of a private residence
La Petite Châtelaine
Lunch break
The big park is of course a great spot for a picnic in a natural setting. If you have not brought lunch with you, no problem: in the old windmill, bread, terrines, fish rillettes (made by Romain Gadais and Ambroise Voreux, among others) and other spreads are on offer, as well as ice creams, poires tapées (a local pear dessert) and even honey from the château bee hives. Organic wines by Nicolas Paget can also be served with your meal.
Picnic at the Château de l’Islette
Then it is time for an afternoon nap: in a deck chair or on the abundant grass, you can savour the moment. If you are here with your family, you can be sure that the children (ages 4 to 12 can wear disguises during the visit) will find plenty of things to do, especially with the farm animals (grey Touraine rabbits, Touraine hens, geese, sheep, a donkey, a mule and a pony mare!).
From the deck chairs
Disguises for children!
The geese at the Château de L'Islette
Afternoon in L’Islette
Various options are available and can be combined. To get the old brain cells working, you can become a detective for one hour during an “outdoor escape game”. Who killed one of the workers just as they were about to finish filling up the moat? And… why?
If you want to enjoy a spot of boating, then a few rowing boats are available. A little bit of exercise, but also a few laughs in prospect. Afterwards, how about a game of Mölkky? You can borrow the pins for this now famous throwing game from the shop.
A boat trip near the old windmill
One fine day or perhaps one night
Every year, the Château de L’Islette can boast a great programme of evening and musical events in summer. Along with picnics with a drink on Fridays (with your own picnic or with food bought from the Château, plus a jazz concert and wine tasting with wines from the Nicolas Paget winery) you can enjoy outdoor evening events at L’Islette in July and August.
A little earlier in the season, events such as plays and concerts are sometimes also on offer. And they are a big success every time!
Near the Château de L’Islette:
- restaurants: La Cabane à Matelot, L’Aigle d’Or, L’épine, Auberge Pom’Poire…
- accommodation: the Loire & Châteaux campsite, the Troglododo and Le Grand Monarque hotels, bed & breakfast at the Château du Gerfaut, La Cabane du Pêcheur…
- activities and tours: Segway and bike rentals, hiking, a treetop adventure course at Saint Benoit Aventure, Haute Couture Gardens, Cité Rétro-Mécanique – Maurice Dufresne Collection, Balzac Museum, Troglodytic valley of Goupillières, the basket-making village of Villaines-les-Rochers, Domaine de Candé, Montbazon Fortress, Château de L’Aulée (wine estate), etc.