Chateau de Sully-sur-loire

A veritable "fairytale castle," Sully-sur-Loire marks the eastern gateway to the Loire Valley. With its wide, deep, perpetually water-filled moat, its massive pepperpot-topped towers, and its imposing medieval keep, it offers the most iconic image of a protective fortress. For nearly four centuries, it belonged to the family of Maximilien de Béthune, better known as the Duke of Sully, the famous minister of Henry IV, who transformed the castle into both a stronghold and a prestigious residence. The highlight of the visit is undoubtedly the 14th-century timber frame of the keep. This masterpiece of oak carpentry, shaped like an inverted ship's hull, is in an exceptional state of preservation. The interiors tell the story of the Sully family through portrait galleries, Psyche tapestries, and richly decorated apartments. The château has also hosted illustrious guests such as Joan of Arc and Voltaire, then in exile, who appreciated the tranquility of its gardens bordering the Loire.