Château & Gardens
Château du Rivau
and its fairytale gardens
Hôtel du Rivau, a listed Monument historique, is located in the Renaissance wing of an estate comprising a 15th-century fortified château, 15 gardens classified as Jardins Remarquables and a collection of contemporary and ancient art.
A stronghold,
inhabited since the 15th century
Mentioned in Rabelais's Gargantua, Rivau has welcomed Joan of Arc, Henri IV's royal stables and the splendour of the Renaissance. Lovingly restored by the Laigneau family since 1992, it opens to visitors like a book.
Self-guided or guided visits of the Renaissance interiors, royal stables and contemporary art collection.
Visit the château's website15 gardens
classified Jardin Remarquable
Awarded ‘Jardin Remarquable’ and ‘Jardin d’excellence’, the 15 gardens of Rivau invite a journey through the imagination: Alice’s garden, Alice’s labyrinth, Gargantua’s kitchen garden, the scented alley, the fairytale orchard…
Almost 515 varieties of antique roses, CCVS-labelled plant collections, and around thirty contemporary artworks along the paths.
Explore the gardens“A living château, poetic gardens, a children's book come to life.”
Visit chateaudurivau.com