Classicism in the 17th century
Have you heard of Moulinsart, Captain Hadock's castle in the adventures of Tintin and Snowy? Hergé depicted his characters there, inspired by the Château de Cheverny in the Loire Valley. Cheverny lies to the south-east of Blois, less than 20 minutes' drive from the hotel. It is an inhabited private property, open to the public every day of the year since 1922. The château is striking for the whiteness of its stone and its harmonious proportions.
Inside Château de Cheverny
A tour of the interior of the château takes in the weapons room, the private flats in the west wing, the bedrooms, drawing rooms and dining room. You will be amazed by the interior decoration of the Château de Cheverny, with its 34 painted wood panels, panelling and coffered ceilings. The superb Gobelins tapestry, L'enlèvement d'Hélène, is surprisingly fresh in colour. The ensemble is remarkably well furnished: Boulle chest of drawers, Louis XV regulator clock, four-poster bed from the king's bedroom...
The Cheverny estate
The Cheverny estate includes a vast 100-hectare park around the château, an orangery, the kennels and the château gardens. The orangery is a magnificent 18th-century building housing the permanent exhibition on Tintin "The Secrets of Moulinsart".
The kennels date from 1850 and are home to around a hundred hounds that hunt every winter week. The English-style park provides an opportunity to take a stroll among the remarkable trees planted between 1820 and 1860 by Paul de Vibraye. The gardens include the kitchen garden, the apprentice garden dedicated to ornamental plants and the tulip garden.
And don't forget: children will love exploring the park and canal in electric cars or boats.
