Chateau Azay-le-Ferron

The Chateau Azay-le-Ferron as seen from the back.

One of the nice things about staying in one house for a while, is the chance to see the less well known places that are close by.  The Chateau Azay-le-Ferron was a pleasant surprise, besides having the crocodile.  The chateau and all of it's contents were given to the city of Tour, since it's the "capital" of the area, by the last owner.  She had no heirs, so set up a foundation to help pay the expenses, too.

The kitchen stove weighs over a ton.  

We don't have many pictures of the interior, as they weren't allowed.  However, we didn't realize this until after the kitchen and the crocodile room.  The signs said no picture with a cell phone because of the flash.  We never use a flash inside a building or museum. 

Low boxwood hedges grown in a pattern.

The gardens are simple, but nice, with many topiary trees and espaliered fruit trees.   One of the topiaries was square, with a square hole in the middle, of course, Bill took a picture.

Looking through the tree, who is looking back at me?

One of the gardeners talking to a visitor.  

When the last owner became elderly, she moved out of the main chateau and into one of the annexes that was originally for the servants, back when there were 75 of them!  It was easier to get around in and heat.  Want to know more?  www.chateau-azay-le-ferron.com

This guy was keeping an eye on the back courtyard, or at least trying to.