Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil and its gardens The Carcassonne of Berry

FROM SATURDAY 28 MARCH TO SUNDAY 26 APRIL

Every day except Tuesday from 10 am to 6 pm

MONDAY 27 APRIL TO SUNDAY 30 AUGUST

Every day from 10am to 7pm

MONDAY 31 AUGUST TO SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER

Every day except Tuesday from 10am to 6pm

SUNDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER

European Heritage Day from 10am to 7pm

Last admission 30 minutes before the château closes.

Guided tours depart regularly: visit times on 02 48 63 02 88 or at www.chateau-ainaylevieil.com

Access by car, coach, camper van and bicycle.

Video-surveillance car park (2 spaces for recharging electric vehicles, 2 spaces for people with reduced mobility, 1 space for camper vans).

Coaches are not permitted in the Château car park, but parking is available next to the Town Hall.

For bicycles:

• Cycle parking
• Electric bikes can be recharged (ask at reception).
• Free luggage storage (ask at reception)
• Repair kit available

A71 exit 8 – 50 km from Bourges – 80 km from Nevers – 40 km from Montluçon – GPS 46.66 -2.35

• Picnic area (except in the rose garden and the chartreuse trees).

• La Volière restaurant

Traditional and regional cuisine: for lunch under an aviary in the park opposite the château and for dinner in the covered wash-house. “La Volière is located at the entrance to the rose garden, opposite the pond. The “Lavoir” is accessible via the courtyard of the outbuildings.

Opening times and days can be consulted on the château’s website by clicking here.
Bookings and opening times on 02 48 63 02 87 or by e-mail at [email protected]

Gîtes and B&Bs can be booked at the Château.

Further information on 02 48 63 36 14 or by e-mail at [email protected]

Château d’Ainay-le-Vieil has a number of rooms available for organising your personal or business events (receptions, weddings, seminars, etc.).

The Salle des Archers is a 17th-century vaulted room with parquet flooring. Located opposite the Renaissance Logis, it has a surface area of around 200 m2, i.e. a floor area of 25m x 8m. It can seat 200 people for meetings, seminars, conferences, concerts, receptions, weddings, cocktail parties, etc. Several options are available.

For more information, call 02 48 63 36 14 or email [email protected]

Cash, Cheques, CB (except American Express), Holiday cheques, Culture cheques, Clarc cheques.

Dogs are only allowed in the gardens and must be kept on a lead (“bar à toutou” is accessible from the shop).

Visitors welcome in French and English.

With a guide, tours are available in English.

With the Wivisites application (downloadable free of charge), tours are available in English, Spanish and Flemish.

• Children aged 5 to 18
• Students under 27 (upon presentation of student card)
• Jobseekers
• Jacques Cœur Privilege Pass

Price of the Privilege Pass at the Château d’Ainay-le-Vieil: €9.50 instead of €13 for the guided tour

(click here to buy your Pass and benefit from reduced rates)

Due to the architecture of the building, certain areas of the château are narrow, making it impossible for wheelchair users to get around (staircases leading to the ramparts and the Renaissance dwelling). However, the entire park and gardens remain accessible (lawn and sand).

For further information, please contact reception on 02 48 63 02 88.