Country France Department Indre-et-Loire Time zone CET (UTC+1) Area 27.34 km² Local time Saturday 8:33 AM | Region Centre-Val de Loire Canton Azay-le-Rideau INSEE/Postal code 37014 / 37190 Population 3,100 (1999) Arrondissement Chinon | |
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Weather 8°C, Wind W at 11 km/h, 95% Humidity Points of interest Château d'Azay‑le‑Rideau, Musée Maurice Dufresne, Les Jardins du Château, Château de l'Aulée, TOURAINE TERRE D'HISTOIRE | ||
Azay-le-Rideau ([azɛ lə ʁido]) is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France.
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Map of 37190 Azay-le-Rideau, France
Château
The château of Azay-le-Rideau was built from 1515 to 1527, one of the earliest French Renaissance châteaux. Built on an island in the Indre River, its foundations rise straight out of the water. It is one of the best known of the châteaux of the Loire valley.
Church
There is a church dedicated to Saint Symphorien near the château that is interesting for the number of architectural periods incorporated in its design. While the newest portion dates from 1603, the current façade incorporates an older 9th century façade in the Carolingian style. The original carved figures are still visible, though an added window destroyed part of the second row. The rest of the church is of a Romanesque style. It was built between 1518 and 1527.
Wine
Azay-le-Rideau is the centre of the Touraine Azay-le-Rideau AOC for white and rose wine.
Twin towns
Azay-le-Rideau is twinned with Croston in Lancashire, England.