The castle of Azay-le-Rideau is located in the French department of Indre-et-Loire. The castle is located in the same city, and was built on an island in the middle of the river Indre. The castle was built from 1518 on 1527 gg., And it is a masterpiece of the French Renaissance and one of the most popular castles of the Loire Valley.

The first building of the castle was built in the XII century the local lord and one of the knights of King Philip II Rideau d'Aze. Built a fortress guarded the road from Tours to Chinon. The castle was destroyed during the Hundred Years' War, when the future King Charles VII fleeing Burgundian troops occupied Paris. Azay-le-Rideau was too busy Burgundians, and, unable to bear their insults, angered Dauphin ordered the execution of all those in the castle - 350 people, and the castle burned down. In memory of this event to the XVIII century, the city bore the name of Azay-le-Brule, which literally translates as "burnt".

The castle of Azay-le-Rideau lay in ruins until 1518, until the land is not purchased, Gilles Berthelot, the mayor of the city of Tours, which serves as a royal treasurer. Berthelot decided to build a castle in the popular style at the time of the Italian Renaissance. However, for the more prestige he wanted to present his future residence and the inherent architecture of the Middle Ages defensive elements.

The owner of the Castle because of their court duties are not present at his building, which was very slow - it was still necessary to lay the foundation of the island in the river Indre. In 1527 the castle was not yet completed when Gilles Berthelot fell into disgrace and was forced to leave the country. Francis I seized the territory in 1535 and gave the castle to his vassal Antoine Raffenu. Castle and was not completed - it consisted only of the southern and western wings.

In XVI-XVII centuries, the castle of Azay-le-Rideau is still owned by descendants of Raffi, in 1583 he podvёrgsya little renovation, and June 27, 1619 is the first time took the king - Louis XIII spent the night in the castle on the way to his mother, Marie de Medici. Later in the castle also stopped and Louis XIV.

In 1787, the castle of Azay-le-Rideau was sold for 300 thousand French livres Marquis Charles de Benkuru, Marshal of the royal troops .  For many years the castle was in ruins, but with 1820 its new owner began large-scale restoration work .  In 1824, on the first floor of the south wing appeared "Chinese cabinet", which was destroyed in the 1860s, and in 1825-1826 Benkur library adorned with carved wooden panels .  The reconstruction of the castle continued Benkura son, guard of King Louis XVI, who participated in the defense of the Tuileries Palace in 1792 .  Were restored royal insignia on the stairs, suffered during the French Revolution, expanded courtyard was attached a new, east tower .  Thus, the castle of Azay-le-Rideau was finally completed, but had lost almost all elements of medieval defensive architecture .  Led by these works Dyusilen Swiss architect, who also restored located near the castle Ussé .

During the Franco-Prussian War in the castle of Azay-le-Rideau was the headquarters of the Prussian army. Once on the dining table, which was attended by Chief of the army of Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia, a huge chandelier fell. The Prince of Prussia thought that castle is preparing an attack and was about to order to burn the building down, but the officers managed to talk him out.

When the Prussian army left the Azay-le-Rideau Castle is back in the hands of the descendants of Benkura. The castle became famous for its collection, consisting of more than 300 portraits, which are often exposed to the public. But in 1899, the last owner of the castle of the family Benkur encountered financial difficulties and sold it with all furniture and 540 hectares of land to the successful businessman of the Tour, which in turn sold the sake of greater profit all that was in the castle.

Deserted castle of Azay-le-Rideau was bought by the state in 1905 for 250 thousand francs and was a part of historical and cultural monuments. In the early years of World War II took refuge in the castle of the representatives of the Ministry of Education of France. Today the castle of Azay-le-Rideau is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The castle of Azay-le-Rideau, which the French writer Honore de Balzac described as "a faceted diamond, reflected in the waters of Andrew" is a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance, which is reflected in the exquisite sculptural decoration. You can also trace the partially preserved elements of medieval fortification, such as covered walkways on the outside wall of the castle battlements and covered under the roof. Many details of the show and a typical French architectural style, for example, pointed turrets, dormers, steep roof slope.

The most remarkable part of the structure of the castle - the main central staircase, made under the influence of the stairs in the castle of Chateaudun. Surprisingly, this is not a spiral staircase, and is the oldest example of this type of ladder in France. The staircase connects the four floors of the castle, each of which are double windows overlooking the courtyard. Log on to the landing reminiscent of Roman triumphal arches, it is decorated with the initials of the first owner of the castle - Gilles Berthelot and his wife. On the pediments over the windows displayed salamander - a symbol of King Francis I. Inside staircase is decorated with elaborate carvings and various medallions with images of the French kings from Louis XI to Henry IV.

Inside the castle of Azay-le-Rideau is also decorated in the style of the Italian Renaissance, and a modern living room and bedroom of the XIX century - Neo-Renaissance. The rooms are located Flemish tapestries XVI-XVII centuries, including "Scenes from the Old Testament" from Oudenaarde and "The Legend of Psyche" from Brussels. The castle also houses a collection of portraits of French monarchs and linen Francois Clouet 'Ladies Toilet', which allegedly depicts Diane de Poitiers.

The castle of Azay-le-Rideau is surrounded by an English park of the XIX century.