The Château de Meung-sur-Loire
A bit of history
Visiting the Château de Meung-sur-Loire is like diving into history.
It was a significant site during the Hundred Years’ War, becoming an English fortress before being liberated by Joan of Arc. The poet François Villon was imprisoned in the château’s dungeon in 1461. Around 1706, Bishop Louis-Gaston Fleuriau d’Armenonville undertook its transformation into a leisure residence. He is responsible for the grand southwest facade framing the main courtyard and the construction of the south wing.
During the Revolution, it was sold as national property before being bought by a private owner.
It was also requisitioned by the Kommandantur during World War II.
The château visit is divided into three parts
First, the interior, with more than 20 rooms to explore. The Château de Meung-sur-Loire is one of the largest we have visited.
The wooded park is very pleasant. During the walk, you will discover an old pavilion, the knights’ course, where children can have a blast on the aerial course in the nets and the mini-acrobranch course for the little ones.
Children can also follow the dragon path! A small trail where we set off to discover several incredibly realistic animatronic dragons, much to the delight of the little ones!
The undergrounds feature the torture chamber and the grand finale with a visit to the dragon’s lair! Guaranteed to impress the children!
Halloween at the Château de Meung-sur-Loire
Get ready to experience a truly terrifying Halloween!
For Halloween, the Château de Meung-sur-Loire offers a tour through 20 rooms, all decorated and animated for the occasion. The decorations are fabulous! Everything is meticulously detailed, so take your time to admire everything from floor to ceiling!
In addition to the decorations, everything is designed to immerse you in the Halloween atmosphere: smoke, music, sound effects, complete darkness… you are truly transported into a haunted castle!
A small glowing bracelet is given to children before the start of the tour.
The visit is not recommended for children under 6, as some rooms can be quite frightening for the little ones, like the room where you are plunged into total darkness! However, the tour is both scary and fun, and the atmosphere is family-friendly. Our little 4-year-old was not scared and was in our arms, so it really depends on each child.
Throughout the tour, children can play a detective game. Letters are hidden throughout the decorations, and once all are found, they will reveal a password to earn a well-deserved reward!
For the more adventurous, a small insect tasting will be offered. We played along and tasted everything, and it wasn’t so bad! Will you dare to do the same?
Practical information, hours and prices
Dates
Come celebrate Halloween from October 21 to November 5, 2023.
Hours
The château is open from 2 PM to 6 PM. The visit is self-guided, so you can start with the outdoor areas if you prefer.
Prices
€12 for adults, €8.50 for children aged 5 to 15, and free for children under 5 and adults over 80.
Find all the information directly on the Château de Meung-sur-Loire website and its online ticketing service.
Christmas at the Château de Meung-sur-Loire
Just like Halloween, the Château de Meung-sur-Loire hosts wonderful festivities for the holiday season.
For the occasion, all the rooms will be decorated and animated to make the eyes of both young and old shine! A packed program awaits you:
- Meeting with Santa Claus
- Evening château illumination
- Candy-making workshop for children
- Inflatable castle
- Fluorescent face painting workshop
- Christmas show
Find the full program on the dedicated page.
Where to park an RV at the Château de Meung-sur-Loire
The Château de Meung-sur-Loire is located right in the town center. There is a dedicated parking area for RVs about a 5-minute walk away where you can also spend the night. A paid service station is also available with water and electricity.
What to do around the Château de Meung-sur-Loire
The region is rich in attractions and activities, with museums, castles, hikes, and sports activities—you’ll be spoilt for choice! The Château de Meung-sur-Loire is ideally located for visiting several Loire castles within an hour’s drive, such as:
- Château de Chambord
- Château de Beaugency
- Château de la Ferté Saint-Aubin
- Château de Blois
And don’t forget the Beauval Zoo, which we have covered in a complete article.
