ESW

Has anyone visited this as a day visitor?

It doesn't feature in any of the guide books and I found it by chance doing a google image search on Chémery.

I have found their web site, but it isn't very informative.
tinyurl.com/cmqmgeo
I'm not interested in B&B as we have accommodation already booked. It sounds as if the château is open for day visitors. I was hoping someone may have visited and can tell me what day visitors can see. Can you wander by yourselves or is it by guided tour?

Thanks

Michael

Given its use as a B&B, I suspect that any visit is guided. The fact that there is little description of what is to be seen on the tour of the château leads me to believe that it can be skipped with no regrets. This is often true of private châteaux unless they have an exceptional collection of one kind or another, because the private rooms and the kitchen are often kept away from public view.

Sarastro

Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of the Château de Chémery is that the current owners purchased the property from French recording artist Alain Souchon who was living there when he sold it. It is one of the oldest structure in the area dating back to the 13th century but does not compare in size or interest to its better known neighbors: Cheverny, Chambord, and others.

It can be a quaint place to spend the night but a must see it is not.

ESW

What attracted me was the fact that it is the oldest structure in the area and so very different to its grand neighbours.

Christina

There are lots of big old stone houses in France, it doesn't make it that special because it's called a chateau.

here's info http://www.peacham.com/france/chemery.htm

I find it funny they call Alain Souchon a "minor rock star". I thought he was a pretty big star, singer and actor. I like him and have at least one of his albums.

ESW

Thank you for all your answers trying to discourage me from visiting. It seems that no-one has actually visited this place.

I found the place on a google image search and my jaw dropped when I saw it - it is just the kind of building we like to visit.

As visitors to a country we try and find out the small places like this as well as the big showcase châteaux. Past experience suggests that many do repay finding and provide a much more personal experience away from the hordes of other tourists.

Must sees are very personal, and one persons 'must see' could well be anothers 'avoid at all costs'.

Michael

There's a difference between exterior and interior. When I saw Chambord, the interior was just empty rooms, and the guide explained that the king traveled there with his furniture which was removed when he left. The exterior, including the staircase, was really the main thing to see. Similarly, a tour of Meillant (a private chateau) was disappointing but the outside of the chateau and the grounds were beautiful.

A chateau may appear to be very old according to its history, but it also may have been so reconstructed that only its foundation dates from the Middle Ages. Good guidebooks give a hint of how much of it is old when dating the interiors that can be visited.

Sarastro

<i>Thank you for all your answers trying to discourage me from visiting. It seems that no-one has actually visited this place.</i>

No one is specifically trying to discourage your visiting the Château de Chémery but one of the top attractions of the Loire Valley it is not. I have stayed at the chateau (it's a chambre d'hote and de table) and it makes an interesting stop over but it is still under reconstruction and if you are open about rustic accommodations, it is well worth a stop.

ESW

I'm very aware that it is not one of the top attractions of the Loire Valley.

The older I get the more I have come to realise that the top attractions you share with hordes of other people. I agree there are a few which are unique and really do merit the title of 'must see' even though you have to share them with many other people. I don't want to spend all holiday doing this.

Over the years I have learned to try and search out those places that don't feature in the guide books and don't get many visitors.

However I accept that I may be unusual and have obviously ruffled a few feathers on this one.

FrenchMystiqueTours

See, another good reason to visit Chémery. Sarastro slept there.

ESW

Sarastro, I've just been rereading your post on my thread about chateaux to visit in the Loire valley...

There are many from which to choose but I prefer the following:
East of Tours
Chambord - essential to fully appreciating the area's architectural developments.

Cheverny - one of the few fully furnished examples in the Loire Valley.

Chenonceau - everyone must visit once but the crowds can be horrendous.

Blois - the most overlooked and undervalued of all of the châteaux of the Loire Valley. Visits now include admission to an art museum at the end of the tour, all very worthwhile.

If you have time: Château de Beauregard, Chaumont, le Clos Lucé (there is nothing of Leonardo's to be seen here except a few recreated models), Château Amboise which is best seen from across the Loire River. 80% of this over-rated château was destroyed during the Revolution and what is left is unremarkable given what is otherwise available to visit nearby.

Other points of interest:

Cave de la Grand Brosse - best to call Philip in advance for a visit to his winery and caves:

http://cavegrandebrosse.com/

Château de Chemery - in addition to being an old residence (dating to the 13th century), it is now a chambre d'hote allowing anyone so inclined to spend the night. Probably just as well known as the once home of French recording artist Alain Souchon (from whom the current owners purchased the property).