/ Azay-le-Rideau was built from 1515 to 1527, one of the earliest French Renaissance chateau.
The Renaissance chateau, which for some years past has been the property of the State, was built by a wealthy treasurer-general of finances in the reign of Francois I.
Azay-le-Rideau is the centre of the Touraine Azay-le-Rideau AOC for white and rose wine.
Built Azay is not one of the grandest or most imposing, but is somewhat unique being charmingly situated on an island between two little branches of the Indre River, and this position adds greatly to its picturesqueness.
It floats like a nest amid reeds and water-lilies, and rests in security almost buried in luxuriant foliage, with foundations that rise straight out of the water.
No tragedies have occurred within its walls ; no royal processions of note have marched across its bridge.
Kings have, doubtless, crossed its threshold, but they came only to pay a visit of courtesy to the castellan; and history has not recorded any great events in which Azay-le-Rideau played even an unimportant part.
The chateau sits in the midst of a tiny park; not a grand expanse as at Chambord or Chenonceaux, but a sort of green frame with a surrounding moat, fed by the waters of the Indre.
Undoubtedly the sylvan surroundings of the chateau have a great deal to do with its charms.
The general effect of the exterior walls is that of a great feudal stronghold, while the interior is simply that of a luxurious Renaissance town house, showing how the two styles can be pleasingly combined.
Construction style is comparatively simple and modest, built entirely at one time, completely harmonious in appearance.
It is elegant rather than large, with two big crenellated towers, joined to one another by an ornamented facade.
Inside there is a good collection of furniture, with some interesting paintings.
Less original in plan than Chenonceau, less striking in ensemble than Chambord, and less imposing in situation than Amboise, it is of a purer type than any of those of the early sixteenth century French Renaissance.