Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / France / Lémeré / Château du Rivau
Château du Rivau
Lémeré, Indre-et-Loire, France · Independent · Core Luxury
Originally a 13th-century fortress, Château du Rivau was significantly expanded in the 15th century by Pierre de Beauveau and famously hosted Joan of Arc in 1429. After falling into disrepair, it was acquired in 1992 by Patricia and Éric Laigneau, who spent over 30 years restoring the medieval architecture and creating its world-renowned whimsical gardens. The property now operates as a 4-star boutique hotel with seven uniquely designed rooms inspired by Renaissance figures, situated within the historic monument's royal stables.
- 7 rooms
- Neighborhood: La Coudray
About Château du Rivau
- Joan of Arc came here in 1429 to fetch war horses from the estate's royal stables, three centuries before Cardinal Richelieu extended it his protection.
- Owners Patricia and Eric Laigneau spent more than 30 years restoring the 15th-century fortress since acquiring it in 1992, creating gardens now designated a Jardin Remarquable.
History
Château du Rivau sits on a thirteenth-century fortified house near Chinon. The standing castle was built in 1420 and given in 1438 as Anne de Fontenay's dowry to Pierre de Beauvau, first chamberlain to Charles VII. In 1429 Joan of Arc came for warhorses from stables already famous in the Hundred Years' War, then rode for Orléans. In 1442 Beauvau won leave to fortify; he died at Castillon in 1453, the battle that ended the war. The Beauvau line served the Valois for generations; Isabeau de Beauvau married Jean II de Bourbon in 1454.
François de Beauvau, captain to Francis I, built monumental stables in 1510 that later served Henri III. He died beside Bayard in 1524. Gabriel de Beauvau raised stone Renaissance stables around 1550 on Italian models. In the seventeenth century Richelieu protected the house after his sister Françoise married Jean de Beauvau. The family held Rivau some 247 years before the Marquis de Castellane of Villandry. Decline followed.
Patricia and Éric Laigneau bought the ruin in 1992, reunited the outbuildings in 1997, and opened to visitors around 2000. The royal stables were listed in 1999. Patricia's gardens, begun in 1994, are now a Jardin Remarquable of fifteen themed plots. Seven (sometimes listed as ten) rooms in the historic fabric operate as a small hotel among the Loire's older castles.
Restaurants and bars
- Restaurant "Jardin Secret" du Château du Rivau — Restaurant · Modern French
- Restaurant "Table des fées" du Château du Rivau — Restaurant
Experiences
- Remarkable Gardens — The estate has 15 remarkable gardens.
- Metamorphoses at Rivau art exhibition — Art exhibition reinterpreting Renaissance works and cabinets of curiosities through contemporary artists, April 1st to November 1st 2026.
- Calder at Le Rivau — Video screening of Calder's early works in the Renaissance Stables, part of AR(t]CHIPEL 2026, October 15th to November 1st 2026.
- Roses Festival — Roses Festival at the château, June 6th and 7th, 2026.
- Equestrian and medieval Joust — Equestrian and medieval joust event, August 8th and 9th, 2026.
- Pumpkins and Autumn Festival — Pumpkins and Autumn Festival, October 10th and 11th, 2026.
Amenities
- 15 thematic "Remarkable Gardens" with contemporary art installations
- Gourmet restaurant Le Jardin Secret and organic bistro La Table des Fées
- Exclusive after-hours access to the castle gardens for hotel guests
- Unique guest rooms located within the historic 15th-century royal stables
- Bicycle rentals for exploring the surrounding Chinon wine region
- On-site contemporary art collection and museum exhibits
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