Château de l’Islette

A Renaissance-style castle now inhabited by its owners, the Château de l’Islette stands in harmonious contrast to its surrounding English-style gardens

Site History & Significance

The Château de l’Islette is a 16th-century Renaissance-style castle comprising a long, rectangular main building that spans three floors, flanked by two imposing cylindrical towers with pointed roofs. It is believed to have been constructed by the same craftsmen who built the neighboring Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, and the two bear a number of resemblances, particularly in terms of the architectural decorations on their façades. An older section, a combination of brick and stone, dates to the 15th century and completes the ensemble. The resemblance to Azay-le-Rideau was even more striking before the moats were filled in, the gables of the dormer windows trimmed and the towers truncated at the beginning of the 19th century, giving the building its current appearance.

In the 1890s, the château hosted the sculptors Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel, serving as a refuge for the lovers amid the obligations of public life. It was here that Claudel sculpted La petite châtelaine, a bust depicting the six-year-old granddaughter of the château’s owner.

About the Restoration Project

The restoration project is focused on essential repairs following the partial collapse of the attic floor. The rupture of a load-bearing beam led to the collapse of four other beams that make up the floor. Following this incident, which resulted in the immediate closure of this part of the castle to the public, the owners commissioned a specialized timber structure consulting firm to conduct a thorough diagnosis of the castle’s floors.

To assess the condition of the remaining beams supporting the attic floor, the owners removed the flooring made of terracotta blocks and found that a total of 13 beams were severely damaged. Additionally, a pest study revealed the presence of mérule, or dry rot. Currently, the urgency lies in addressing the dry rot (if confirmed by the consulting firm) before proceeding with the repairs to the collapsed section and reinforcing the upper floors of the two adjacent rooms. This work must be completed prior to embarking on the restoration of the attic.

Château de l’Islette Today

The château is surrounded by splendid English-style gardens, which create a harmonious contrast to the raw form of the building. Rare, centuries-old trees, including a row of plane trees, a black walnut, lindens and chestnuts, make these gardens a botanical treasure trove. The main idea, as with many Loire castles, is to tastefully blend the beauty of architecture with the aesthetics of the gardens.

The current owners, who live in the château, are committed to enhancing it and its grounds so that the public can experience the architectural and natural heritage they have cultivated. They offer a variety of activities, including an escape game on the castle grounds, that allow visitors of all ages to discover the value of this unique heritage.