King Louis XI is fondly remembered for many great things, one of which was the Treaty of Picquigny with Edward IV of England, wherein the two kingdoms declared peace and thus ended the Hundred Years War. Yet it was sometime before this treaty that he commissioned the building of Château de Jallanges. The estate was founded in 1460, one year before Louis XI was crowned king, then completed in 1465. It was subsequently used by his prime minister and other officials, though there are no records of whether Louis XI ever stayed here.

The estate sat quietly through several centuries before eventually being bought by the Ferry-Balin family in 1984. Two years later, in 1986, the young and ambitious Stéphane Ferry-Balin decided to handle the restoration and renovation of their estate. Using his own skills and resources, he transformed the unused rooms and opened the first few guest suites and venues of the manor. Soon after, Château de Jallanges began accepting high-class receptions, which encouraged Stéphane to follow up with restoring the lounges, gardens, and parklands. He and his family did all this work without any aid from government subsidies or donations.

Even now, major projects are underway at the estate. In 2021, they installed a giant sculpture dedicated to Saint Martin, which was recognized the following year as part of the European Cultural Route. 2023 was a busy year as they installed a bust dedicated to King Louis XI in front of the manor while also beginning work on an open-air theater with a capacity of 500. The spa facilities are also quite new, having been opened only in 2024. As part of promoting fun and wholesome cultural activities in the region, Château de Jallanges also began hosting Escape Room Events and Ludo-Cultural Activities at the estate.

Design and Architecture

Perhaps as a result of having only one leader heading the restoration project, the transformations of Château de Jallanges have been meticulous and faithful to the estate's heritage. Old timber hanging on the ceilings is kept intact, creating an authentic period feel complemented by the antique furniture and fixtures. The old stone fireplaces, though still present, are kept mainly for their mantels. Modern fireplaces have been placed inside them to still preserve the atmosphere, while reducing the risks of unfortunate accidents.

For the chateau's lodgings, each of the guestrooms has been given a theme representing the eras and personalities that shaped France. The Gaudin Room is named after Marie Gaudin, the mistress of King Francis I during the 16th century. Interestingly, the room's aesthetics are in Louis XIII style, which is a widely known 17th-century design convention. The decor of the Louis Philippe Room is styled after the 19th century, when King Louis Philippe I also ruled. The most fanciful of the guest suites is arguably the Henri II Room, featuring Medieval-inspired aesthetics, including the box-like design of that era's canopy beds. Though also named after one of France's most famous kings, the Louis XIV Room has a more subdued atmosphere, a wholesome family suite filled with warmth and comfort.

Apart from the guest suites, the chateau also offers beautifully furnished apartments. These units have a much more contemporary style, though old features such as ancient timbers and antique furniture are integrated into the overall design.

Your special day is sure to be in good hands because Château de Jallanges boasts 38 years' worth of history hosting unforgettable events, including 2,500 receptions. They have reception venues that can accommodate a wide variety of groups, from intimate gatherings of 30 people to grandiose parties of 700.

Le Banneret
A customizable space of 500 sqm (5382 sqft) with soundproofing, a connected kitchen, along with audiovisual equipment for presentations.
Capacity: 500 guests

Le petit Banneret
A smaller but stylish event venue of 200 sqm (2153 sqft) and has a bar lounge, as well as audiovisual equipment.
Capacity: 200 guests

Cultural Experiences

Situated in the Loire Valley, Château de Jallanges is a wonderful jumping point for discovering and experiencing the many treasures of this region. Designated as the UNESCO World Heritage Site Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes, travelers can fill their itinerary with historic castles, scenic river towns, and idyllic winery estates. Book a river cruise and visit the many communes along the Loire, including Tours, Amboise, and Chambord.

Tours has numerous cultural attractions worth checking out. The Musée du Compagnonnage is a museum showcasing the history and industries of France's guilds. There's also the Cathédrale Saint-Gatien, a stately Catholic cathedral with impressive Gothic architecture. Over at Amboise, you'll find more chateaux with historic significance. Château du Clos Lucé was the residence of the renowned Renaissance artist and inventor, Leonardo Da Vinci. Château Royal d'Amboise, on the other hand, is a majestic riverside castle that became the royal residence of King Charles VII.

Château de Jallanges prides itself as a beloved event venue in this part of France. Several times a year, they hold special costume balls where guests can dance and dress up in themed outfits. They also have Halloween parties and Christmas parties with festive music and delicious food. If your schedule is tight to make it to those events, you can still participate in various activities held at the chateau. The estate has escape room events held year-round, so see if your visit coincides with one of those days.