Château de L'Islette
Château de L'Islette
4.5
10:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Château de l'Islette was once the home of sculptors Rodin and Camille Claudel. It was for them a place of creation and passion. Listed as a historic monument, this Renaissance tufa stone building stands on the banks of the River Indre. The current owners have opened it to visitors, focusing on the great hall, with its magnificent paintings and monumental fireplace. Also worth seeing: the chapel on the ground floor. You can also enjoy a picnic in the grounds, hire a rowing boat or visit the animals in the château.
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4.5
1,201 reviews
Excellent
848
Very good
277
Average
49
Poor
19
Terrible
8
Dine Out?
Europe224 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Last of three Chateau's visited today and definitely the poorest organised. Chaotic arrangements at the entrance trying to validate individuals covid status, queues back into car park across the road. Just one checking, and one on till inside small room selling tickets with those exiting having to come back through the same hut. No social distancing enforced.
In the Chateau itself a guide seemed to have 30 plus people together in the main room. No social distancing or anyone policing it
Ironically in the 'so called' boutique/cafe which was also staffed by what appeared to be school children it was everyone for themselves to make a cup of coffee.
Grounds ok but not exceptional and the chateau similarly. Far better elsewhere and even though other chateaux maybe not in such good condition, they at least could managed crowds safely with a warm welcome.
In the Chateau itself a guide seemed to have 30 plus people together in the main room. No social distancing or anyone policing it
Ironically in the 'so called' boutique/cafe which was also staffed by what appeared to be school children it was everyone for themselves to make a cup of coffee.
Grounds ok but not exceptional and the chateau similarly. Far better elsewhere and even though other chateaux maybe not in such good condition, they at least could managed crowds safely with a warm welcome.
Written 19 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy E
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg18 contributions
Jun 2023
Romantic small castle, a little bit hidden. The castle itself is small, the family still leaves there for part of the year, the most beautiful is the parc with the romantic river and the boat ride. You can take or borrow a book and just spend time in the parc, enjoy silence and relaxing.
Written 14 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hugbug23
Mt Martha, Australia304 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
This Chateau is wonderful, so nice to spend time in a renovated (renovating!) estate with beautiful grounds in pristine condition.
Who needs the huge piles when you can enjoy a family owned place without the huge crowds.
Loved it!
Who needs the huge piles when you can enjoy a family owned place without the huge crowds.
Loved it!
Written 6 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yuri A
Lyon, France41 contributions
May 2020
One of my favorite places for sure! I've been there for one morning with my boyfriend and we had an amazing time. The garden is incredible, both the Castle and the building of the Store are amazing and beautiful. I was mesmerized by this Castle because it is classified as a "small Castle" so I wasn't expecting much. It is interesting to see the Castle because it's, indeed, small, but people still live there. Unfortunately we weren't prepared for a picnic, but you can do it there!! And if you're looking for a souvenir in the store you can find a puzzle of the Castle, that we certainly bought.
Written 21 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin W
86 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
A smaller chateau and easy to ignore, it’s gardens are not one the scale of others nearby and there are only about 8 rooms open
BUT
Unlike some other chateau, you felt welcome, they are happy for you to picnic in the grounds, there is a small cafe, loads of nice seats (with cushions) and boats to hire. Another chateau nearby banned food and drink, had nowhere to get a coffee and wanted you to follow a tour and leave. This chateau felt like you could sit under a tree with a baguette (sold on site) all afternoon and they wouldn’t mind.
Plenty of parking
Think of this chateau like a well run National Trust and do stop for a visit to see a family home who welcome visitors rather than a museum who tolerate tourists
BUT
Unlike some other chateau, you felt welcome, they are happy for you to picnic in the grounds, there is a small cafe, loads of nice seats (with cushions) and boats to hire. Another chateau nearby banned food and drink, had nowhere to get a coffee and wanted you to follow a tour and leave. This chateau felt like you could sit under a tree with a baguette (sold on site) all afternoon and they wouldn’t mind.
Plenty of parking
Think of this chateau like a well run National Trust and do stop for a visit to see a family home who welcome visitors rather than a museum who tolerate tourists
Written 23 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg072
Sydney, Australia327 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
Quirky, cute, a bit run down with a 21st century kitchen and a tour mostly in French, but given by a lovely young French woman.
This is one of those Chateaux that would be off the main tourist drag thus a bit of an adventure.
The Chateau is now lived in by the current owners and the tour actually includes the present owners accommodation and their 21st Century kitchen built into one of the towers.
When one arrives one is provided with an information leaflet in English and I would strongly recommend that you read this leaflet before going on the tour which is mostly in French.
During the1890's Rodin and Camille Claudel conducted their secret love affair at L'Islette and their story is part of the story of the Chateau.
Of particular interest is the Great Hall which is covered in a huge range of art and even the fire place is an artwork.
Not a grand Chateaux but great fun. Just remember to read the English language information leaflet before going on the tour and keep referring to the leaflet as you enter the different rooms.
This is one of those Chateaux that would be off the main tourist drag thus a bit of an adventure.
The Chateau is now lived in by the current owners and the tour actually includes the present owners accommodation and their 21st Century kitchen built into one of the towers.
When one arrives one is provided with an information leaflet in English and I would strongly recommend that you read this leaflet before going on the tour which is mostly in French.
During the1890's Rodin and Camille Claudel conducted their secret love affair at L'Islette and their story is part of the story of the Chateau.
Of particular interest is the Great Hall which is covered in a huge range of art and even the fire place is an artwork.
Not a grand Chateaux but great fun. Just remember to read the English language information leaflet before going on the tour and keep referring to the leaflet as you enter the different rooms.
Written 6 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CuriousClaudio
Cape Town, South Africa238 contributions
What a dissapointing visit after reading the good reviews of everyone else. We paid then when we asked about the tour we were informed it was only in French. We were handed a photocopied leaflet with English descriptions of some of the rooms. What we were unaware of is that one can only view these rooms on the tour. There is a chapel and 1 room free but the rest can only be seen on the tour. So we were forced to follow a French group for 15 minutes around the exterior, then finally into the interior - understanding nothing, with our fliers offering very little explanation.
The only room inside worth mentioning is the Grand Salon. The rest are decorated with the owners own furniture...DVD's, toothbrush and all...very awkward walking through someones home!
I would not waste money or time on this chateau unless you can ensure you're getting the English tour which I can only hope offers some better information and insight about the chateau - though there seems to be no info from anyone when these are. I expected so much more and after visiting about 11 chateaux in Loire valley it was sad to be let down by this one.
Gardens are nice for a picnic. Perhaps they should charge a seperate fee for the gardens?
The only room inside worth mentioning is the Grand Salon. The rest are decorated with the owners own furniture...DVD's, toothbrush and all...very awkward walking through someones home!
I would not waste money or time on this chateau unless you can ensure you're getting the English tour which I can only hope offers some better information and insight about the chateau - though there seems to be no info from anyone when these are. I expected so much more and after visiting about 11 chateaux in Loire valley it was sad to be let down by this one.
Gardens are nice for a picnic. Perhaps they should charge a seperate fee for the gardens?
Written 4 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RomanticTravelers888
Middletown, DE147 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
I agree with all the reviews describing how Chateau de l’Islette is family-owned, un-commercialized, relaxing, not crowded, and beautiful. In addition, I would add that this was an excellent spot for personal photography. We visited on a day that started dark and then stormy, during which we stayed in the castle home. Once the rains stopped, we enjoyed the grounds and the quiet atmosphere.
Chateau de l’Islette has many great opportunities for photographs, among the gardens behind the castle, around the river and island, and in the park in front of the castle. We highly recommend this castle in lieu of the nearby Castle at Azay-le-Rideau, its “sister.”
There is an unpaved parking lot across the street.
Chateau de l’Islette has many great opportunities for photographs, among the gardens behind the castle, around the river and island, and in the park in front of the castle. We highly recommend this castle in lieu of the nearby Castle at Azay-le-Rideau, its “sister.”
There is an unpaved parking lot across the street.
Written 1 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Konstantinos M
39 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Small chateau not far from Azay-le-Rideau. It was still open that particular night, since they had an evening music night. A combination of gipsy music and jazz which developed into a very interesting experience. Otherwise, the castle itself was small and the exhibits just about adequate. If you are passing by, maybe it is worth your visit, otherwise . . not really worth a detour,
Written 14 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ThomasBailey
London, UK1 contribution
Chateau de l'islette is a very beautiful and romantic chateau just at the entrance of Azay-le-rideau. A most charming chatelaine- I.e. the owner of the chateau-, is one of the guides who will show you through the different rooms of the chateau which are beautifully refurbished and still inhabited! Most special of all is the story she conveyes about Camille Claudel a famous artist who spent her romantic days there with Rodin, the famous French sculptor. The inside and outside of this discreet château are unique - a must in the region !
Written 26 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bonjour
pouvez vous m'indiquer s'il y a un parking à proximité et si oui est il payant ?
merci
Written 3 January 2020
Il y a un parking à 50 mètres de l'entree non payant
Written 4 January 2020
Bonjour, j'aimerai savoir 1) avez vous des visites guidées en anglais? et 2) avez vous un restaurant (ou pouvez vous indiquer un restaurant sympathique pour déjeuner après avoir fait une visite chez vous?
merci d'avance de vos réponses
Written 13 May 2018
Madame,
Je réponds tardivement à votre question et vous prie de m'en excuser.
Les visites guidées que nous organisons sont toutes en français mais nous remettons notamment aux personnes parlant anglais des brochures de visite qui permettent de bien appréhender le lieu.
Pour un restaurant, je vois que vous avez déjà eu une réponse que je confirme.
Sincères salutations.
Pierre-André Michaud
Written 22 May 2018
Hola, este verano tenemos pensado visitar el Valle del Loira y ver unos cuantos castillos. Nos gustaría saber si el castillo de L'Islette puede verse por fuera sin necesidad de pagar entrada. Queremos ver unos cuantos y vamos 4 personas con lo cual estamos seleccionando cuales ver por dentro y cuales se pueden ver por fuera sin pagar entrada.
Un saludo
Written 7 March 2018
Bonjour,
Le billet d'entrée permet d'accéder tant à l'extérieur de la propriété qu'à l'intérieur du château. Il n'y a pas de billet pour les jardins seulement.
Merci de votre intérêt pour l'Islette.
Sincères salutations.
Pierre-André Michaud
Written 8 March 2018
Très agréable visite , parc et château , avec une guide ( Eléonore ) très compétente maîtrisant parfaitement le sujet
Written 26 July 2017
Nous avons eu la chance d'avoir, comme guide, la châtelaine qui nous a fait vivre avec beaucoup d'émotion , la vie de Camille Claudel.... Je recommande cette visite très fortement
Written 26 July 2017
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