The Chateau of Valençay might not be the most famous chateau in the Loire Valley of France, but it is a charming estate with both a beautiful renaissance castle and a great park. The most famous owner of the chateau of Valençay was Talleyrand, Napoleon’s chief diplomat. But the most amazing part of the castle of Valençay are the kitchens where chef Antonin Carême was preparing amazing meals for Talleyrand’s guests. Although it is a bit out of the way, the castle of Valençay is one of the top castles in the Loire Valley of France. They also grow Loire Valley wine on the property, which they sell at the souvenir store.
The chateau of Valençay is not a medieval castle. The original medieval castle was raised to make room for the current Renaissance chateau, but they still have the old keep (old donjon) as the reminiscence of the medieval castle that used to be there.