Spend one night or more in the Château du Rivau, a medieval Loire Valley castle-hotel between history, art and gastronomy

About ten kilometers away from Chinon, in the heart of the royal Touraine region, the unmissable Château du Rivau offers an extraordinary cultural experience. Far from the classic tours of emblematic Loire Valley châteaux, this astonishing site offers a sensory and artistic journey at the intersection of heritage, nature, and contemporary creation. A truly magical setting, the estate combines enchanting gardens, contemporary art, and historical memory with a touch of humor. By AP

As far as we know, the Château du Rivau is not limited to its medieval stones, since it is surrounded by fourteen gardens, all inspired by tales and legends. These dreamlike plant spaces would undoubtedly awaken your senses at every step. For example, you would be able to encounter more than 500 varieties of fragrant roses, in a stunning vegetable garden, whose harvests supply the estate’s locavore restaurant, and monumental art installations, scattered among countless trees and flowerbeds. Adding to this, children can enjoy treasure hunts and costumes, while adults may find a break in the hammocks or in the tea room (photo credits: AP). 

For the story, it has been for over forty years that Patricia and Éric Laigneau, owners of the château, have been building a remarkable collection of contemporary art. In this wide collection, don’t miss various sculptures, paintings, installations, and photographs, all featured in a scenography, much inspired by the past but deeply rooted in current concerns. The dialogue, settled between those modern artworks and the historical decoration gives to this château a unique atmosphere, somehow reinventing the tradition of a real cabinet of curiosities.

Each year, a thematic exhibition fuels this dynamic. It features contemporary creations that question the past, as the artist Julien des Monstiers does by paying homage to Max Ernst with female representations, all inspired by the Touraine landscape. For instance, the Portrait Room combines ancient effigies from the lords of Beauvau, as the ancient lineage that owned Rivau, with contemporary portraits, such as those of the Laigneau family, photographed with irony and finesse. You have to know that artists, such as Delphine Balley and Valérie Belin question social representations, the passage of time, and the place of images in our collective memory.

Thereafter, the Salle des Seigneurs celebrates the legacy of the Beauvau family, builders of the château in the 15th century. This space pays homage to the humanist fashion of the 16th century, that of cabinets of curiosities that mingled rare objects, works of art, and wonders of nature. In the Salle du Grand Logis, the animal world takes center stage, unveiling the local fascination with hunting and the way in which contemporary artists today question our relationship with animality. From Sun Xue‘s striking unicorn to Nicolas Darrot‘s interactive sculpture, evoking the legend of Saint Hubert, the animal here becomes a mirror of our emotions, our fears, and our ecological responsibilities.

As you can see, the Château du Rivau is not simply a historical monument; but a living place where art, history, and nature poetically intertwine. By fully integrating contemporary creation into a complex, where fine gastronomy and hospitality meet each other. More than a visit, it is a journey to a land of wonder, where each room, each garden, and each artwork would undoubtedly take you away. There are numerous possibilities for activities, like biking through the charming towns of Chinon and Richelieu, unless wine lovers can explore the surrounding vineyards, while travelers seeking relaxation, massages are also available upon reservation.

If you wish to pursue this immersion in the heart of the Loire Valley, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you may have a stay in the Château du Rivau hospitality. This 4-star hotel proposes an unforgettable getaway, for a unique experience of château life, combining historic refinement with contemporary comfort. The various rooms, all located within the castle grounds, combine  some old-world charm with high-end amenities. Each has a unique atmosphere, inspired by emblematic figures of the Middle Ages or the Renaissance, and decorated with modern works of art. This bold combination offers an elegant and resolutely contemporary location.

 

The rooms can accommodate two adults and one young child, with a crib, available upon request. A family suite can accommodate two adults and two children, while larger families can enjoy connecting rooms. At nightfall, it seems that visitors have the rare privilege of exclusively discovering the castle’s gardens, once the site is closed to the public. The subtle lighting of the facades, the keep, and its machicolations transforms the estate into a magical setting. This magical atmosphere prolongs the escape until nightfall. In the morning, a generous buffet breakfast featuring fresh products, from local producers is served, included in the stay and reflects the château‘s commitment to local know-how and quality.

 

Then, still within the enchanting grounds of the Château du Rivau, have a step into La Table des Fées that stands out as a unique restaurant, driven by the creativity of talented chef Andrea Modesto. This eco-friendly and refined lunchtime restaurant offers simple and delicious cuisine, again in an exceptional natural setting. Located opposite Gargantua‘s vegetable garden, its shaded terrace offers a true haven of peace. Beneath large parasols and surrounded by aromatic plants, guests can enjoy a meal to the sound of birdsong. Whether for a romantic lunch or a relaxing family getaway, La Table des Fées promises a serene experience.

 

The restaurant‘s cuisine is deeply rooted in its local environment, the vegetables are carefully grown at the Ferme du Rivau, while the wines come from partner vineyards in the region, particularly those in Chinon, and the fresh produce is selected from neighboring producers. This ethical approach promotes local and sustainable agriculture, while ensuring perfect traceability of ingredients. The menu, developed by Andrea Modesto, formerly Joël Robuchon‘s right-hand man, features dishes that are as delicious as they are colorful. It seems that suggestions include a seasonal floral salad, a croque-monsieur with Loire Valley cheese, and a vitello tonnato, revisited by the chef, or fresh pasta with Italian accents, or a house-smoked salmon tartine to complete this appetizing offering. 

 

Still in the historic and lush setting of the Château du Rivau, we consider that Le Jardin Secret reveals itself as an intimate gastronomic restaurant, dedicated to inventive and delicate cuisine. Nestled in the heart of the medieval courtyard, this gourmet restaurant offers a sensory immersion, combining refinement, terroir, and floral poetry. Here again, the Chef Andrea Modesto, trained in prestigious Michelin-starred establishments, offers a unique cuisine. A menu, inspired by Loire Valley, enriched with Italian touches and edible flowers from the garden, for an explosion of flavors, that is as original as it is elegant.

In this intimate 20-seat venue, the atmosphere is both warm and peaceful, thanks to tufa walls and the unmissable view of those gardens. All the products are locally sourced, from neighboring farms or grown on-site, from homemade bread, made with ancient flours, garden vegetables, aromatic flowers, and local wines, all creating a hearty and sustainable moment. This Jardin Secret menu may be distinguished by its creativity. For starters, according to the season, enjoy roasted local asparagus, a perfect egg on organic baby spinach, or crispy sardines with a red onion gel. If you are kind to the chef, maybe could he also prepare you the legendary Joël Robuchon‘s purée?

For the main course, choices range from confit with herbs and garden flowers, to red mullet fillet, topped with cinnamon-scented bisque, to homemade spaghetti with fava bean cream and lemony coconut milk. For sweet dishes, your meal may end on a fruity note with roasted pineapple or strawberry tartare, with zabaglione. A cheese option is also offered with a local selection, of course including Sainte-Maure cheese in three different maturations. Adding to this, Le Jardin Secret is also participating in “Les vignerons passent à table” wine event, with two wine-pairing dinners in June and July, in collaboration with Domaine Lambert.

Open from March 29th to November 11th, 2025, the restaurant welcomes guests, from Monday to Friday evenings, and for lunch and dinner on weekends. An unforgettable gastronomic experience, in harmony with nature and history.

Château du Rivau, 9 Rue du Château, 37120 Lémeré (France) / Phone : 00 33 (0)2 47 95 77 47. More details in their official website.