chateau de l'islette

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 !

This is a real home as the owners do live here. Very relaxed & interesting. One time home of the Artist Rodin, tragic love story so worth a visit. Met the owners who were delightful.

The water features are quite lovely. Access to the interior is by guided tour only except for a couple of rooms. It was interesting to be led by the owner of the chateau and see how they've modernized some of the rooms and how they live around the tours. You also get to see where Rodin worked on his Balzac sculpture. Pretty expensive compared to other chateaus.

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.

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?

This little chateau is well worth a visit. It is in a lovely setting and if you are lucky, as we were, you might just get the owner as a tour guide! Their love, care and respect for the history of the place is evident. We really enjoyed our afternoon there.

This is by far the most welcoming chateau we have ever visited in France (and we have done a few!). It is really beautiful, in a lovely riverside setting. I understand that there was originally a moat all round the chateau, but that was filled in many years ago. They say first impressions count – well, just inside the entrance there are toilets; these are toilets fit for a 5-star hotel, with good-quality hand soap and neatly arranged paper hand towels. In the grounds of the chateau are loads of deck chairs for you to sit and relax; outside the little souvenir and refreshment shop there are comfortable chairs and settees with immaculate cushions. And there are picnic areas which you are encouraged to use.You really feel you ares being welcomed into somebody's home, and they are pleased to see you. And this is indeed the case. The guides are members of the family and they speak with authority and a passion for the chateau. The tour is in French, but you do get a printed copy in whatever language you would like. Most enjoyable.

This is a very nice little chateau, which is lived in and you tour the rooms the family use! It was in french, but we had an english translation. The grounds are well worth the visit - very relaxing.

You are taken through this private chateau with a guide. It is all done in French but you have a written English transcript . We worth the time and entrance fee.

The tour was great. Our guide, an art history student, was funny and knowledgeable. The owners still live in in the chateau albeit during winter months only.

Chateau de L'Islette is just wonderful and as far as I'm concerned, totally different from anywhere else. Yes there is an historic house, a moat and gardens. Sounds just like everywhere else in fact! But the atmosphere is unique, as is the way you can visit. It's not a big site, but it is beautifully maintained and has an air of peace and tranquility that I've not found anywhere else. There are light refreshments on site, but you are also able to take a picnic with you and even spend the day there, relaxing in one of the many comfortable chairs scattered around for visitors to use. There are all sorts of interesting historical features about the house. There are lakes and rivers, and island (hence the name). Parking is on the opposite side of the road. I would say it's not suitable for ebullient coach parties. That sort of noise level would spoil the atmosphere. But for anyone who enjoys the sounds of water, birds and the feel of a gentle breeze, in a lovely relaxed environment - that I'm sure you'd enjoy this Chateau. Website is very good and gives an accurate impression.

We had such an amazing time here. We went to the supermarket just up the road from Azay Le Rideau and took a little picnic. at in the grounds under the trees and had wine and food. The we took a private tour around the chateau and finally took the row boat out ....what fabulous staff and the owners daughter even came out and sat with us and conversed in English/French as we had our coffee. Caught up with the owner on the way out who was very charming. Just a real treat and a very special memory of our trip. Don't miss it!

If you find the well known chateaux overwhelming this charming small chateau has advantages. At the time we went there was only one other couple there. The guide gave the impression that the place had not been open long.Though the facade is imposing when you get inside you find that the building is only one room deep. The garden is very attractive, helped by the river running on both sides.

This is a family home, and you get to see the bedrooms, bathrooms, DVDs, books, kitchen (with smart equipment built into elderly walls). The family decamp to the farmhouse on site for the summer while the castle is open. Much reference is made to Camille Claudel and Rodin who stayed here (the real claim to fame, so not surprising), but Islette is about much more than them. It is set is a lovely park, and we wish we could have had access to more of it, but understand the family wants some private space. There's a nice picnic spot, and deckchairs thoughtfully placed for visitors on a little island in the Indre river. We fell asleep on them after the guided tour! Much quieter than many of the castles in the Loire valley. Well worth a visit!

We found this by mistake as we were looking for Chateau of Azay de Rideay but it was worth making the mistake. Although more expensive than some of the chateau at 8 euros,but it is such a pretty & peaceful setting that it was worth it. You can only see the chateau itself as part of a guided tour & the current owner does some of these herself - it is privately owned. It is on the Indre river & there are some lovely picnic areas. Try to see this one - it won't be on the tourist list!