Chateau de Serrant

Considered one of the largest privately owned châteaux in France, Serrant is striking for its architectural unity and the dark color of its schist stone, contrasting with the white tufa typical of the Loire Valley. Built over several centuries, it is most famous for its exceptionally rich interior. Inhabited continuously, it has preserved outstanding period furniture, Flemish tapestries, and an ebony cabinet inlaid with ivory that is a veritable museum piece. The centerpiece remains its monumental library, housing more than 12,000 rare books, some of which are bound with the coats of arms of the most prominent families in France. The château also bears witness to the hosting of illustrious figures, such as Napoleon I and Empress Marie-Louise. The kitchens, with their gleaming copperware, offer a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of a grand aristocratic residence in the 19th century.