Château de Châteaudun

About the museum

The rocky spur overlooking the Loir valley has been fortified since the 6th century. Around 910, Thibaud I of Blois built a fortress there, and Châteaudun became the capital of the Dunois. The cylindrical keep, built between 1170 and 1190 under Thibaud V, stands about 31 metres tall to the roof and remains one of the best-preserved of its type.

In the 15th century, Jean de Dunois, companion of Joan of Arc and Grand Chamberlain to King Charles VII, had the Holy Chapel built to house a relic of the True Cross, and then the Dunois Wing as a seigniorial residence. At the start of the 16th century, François II de Longueville added the Longueville Wing, in the late Gothic style with Italian influences, anticipating the Loire châteaux, with its richly carved staircase.

After the Orléans-Longueville line died out in 1694, the château passed to the Luynes family. The Revolution looted the chapel and scattered its furnishings; the château was then used as a barracks and was attacked in 1815 and 1870.

The State bought the château in 1938 and saved it from ruin; it was restored under the direction of the architect Jean Trouvelot. It is now managed by the Centre des monuments nationaux and presents 16th- and 17th-century tapestries as well as a garden in the medieval style in the former moat.

Highlights

• 12th-century keep, about 31 metres tall
• 15th-century Holy Chapel
• Dunois Wing, linked to Joan of Arc and Jean de Dunois
• Renaissance staircase of the Longueville Wing
• 16th- and 17th-century tapestries
• Medieval-inspired garden in the former moat

Permanent exhibitions

• Le donjon et la Sainte-Chapelle – 12th-century keep and 15th-century chapel built to house a relic of the True Cross.
• Les ailes Dunois et Longueville – 15th-century seigniorial residence and Renaissance wing with its carved staircase and the apartments of Catherine d’Alençon.
• Les tapisseries – 16th- and 17th-century tapestries displayed in the château.

Founded

1171

Operated by

Centre des monuments nationaux

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of January, February, March, November and December.

Free admission also for job seekers (proof dated within the last six months) and holders of the Pass éducation. The Passion monuments subscription gives access to the château and more than 80 monuments for one year. Payment by cash, card, cheque, Chèque Culture and ANCV Chèques-Vacances.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Visitors using a manual wheelchair only have access to some ground-floor rooms. Adapted toilets and an accessible car park are available on site. Adapted visits, self-guided or guided, may be offered depending on the disability. Dogs are not admitted, except guide dogs and assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

“Parcours découverte famille” family booklet for €2 and occasional activities, such as “Monument Jeu d’Enfant”. Free admission for under-18s.

Getting there & parking

From Le Mans, A11 then D55; from Chartres or Tours, N10; from Orléans, D955. The town is on the Loir à Vélo cycle route.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop on site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit