The Domaine de Cheverny is the family property of the Hurault de Vibraye family, financiers and officers who distinguished themselves in the service of several kings of France. It has stood the test of time, remaining in the same family for over six centuries! The château is unique in that it has always been inhabited and still is today: the owners live in the right wing and each generation strives to maintain and embellish it with passion.
The first private castle to be opened to the public.
In 1922, Philippe de Vibraye, the great-uncle of the current owners, decided to open the château to the public. This idea, innovative for its time, made Cheverny the very first private château in France to embark on a new project: sharing history and culture with as many people as possible.
The first visitors were thus able to discover life in the castle, the beauty of its interiors and its green surroundings.
Over time, the owners have continued Philippe de Vibraye's work, innovating to the delight of visitors while remaining faithful to the history of the château and the Hurault de Vibraye family.
Thus, the estate is now a special place of culture, history and enchantment for young and old alike:
• The château is open to visitors every day of the year: a perfect example of Grand Siècle architecture, it is one of the first châteaux designed to be lived in all year round. It offers visitors the chance to view magnificently furnished rooms, which bear witness to the French art of living.
• Six themed gardens evolve throughout the year, offering an enchanting, colourful stroll for the senses. The latest addition, created in autumn 2020, is the Jardin Sucré (Sweet Garden): a French-style orchard covering one hectare.
• Combining tradition and modernity, the estate lives in tune with the seasons. decorations take over the gardens and the château in spring, autumn and at Christmas, recalling how the Grande Mademoiselle described it as "an enchanted palace";
• The forest section of the park, which covers more than 100 hectares, can be visited with a guide from April to November aboard electric boats and buggies. This escape into nature allows you to discover the alley of 157 cedars and the canal where bald cypresses thrive with their feet in the water, just like in their native Louisiana.
• The permanent exhibition "The Secrets of Moulinsart ", created with the support of the Hergé Foundation, recalls how Hergé drew inspiration from the Château de Cheverny to design Moulinsart. It offers an immersive experience into the adventures of Tintin, with life-size reproductions of Captain Haddock's castle rooms.
Finally, Cheverny Castle is committed to supporting various causes, such as raising awareness of type 1 diabetes.
We wish you an excellent visit to the estate!