Historic site and monument
in Châmbles

Château d'Essalois, Centre d'Interprétation des Gorges de la Loire

Standing on a rocky outcrop, the castle offers a 360° panorama. Hiking trails allow you to explore the site. Inside, discover the Interpretation Center of the Gorges de la Loire, an educational space on the heritage of this site
Standing proudly on its rocky outcrop and dominating the Loire, the Château d'Essalois is part of the listed site of the Loire gorges. The most distant written documents mentioning the castle date back to the XNUMXth century. Of unknown origin, the castle has gone through different stages of construction over the years, marking its current composite architecture.
From the castle courtyard, discover a magnificent 360° panorama of the Loire gorges and the Forez plain. Hiking trails and a landscaped GR de Pays allow you to discover this remarkable site. A guide is on sale at the Loire Forez tourist office.
Possibility of restoration nearby.
Family walk to reach the castle (accessible by stroller). Children can have fun outside the castle.
Free entry (except guided tours) – Gates and exteriors open every day from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m.
Since 2021, the Château d'Essalois has offered a Loire Gorges Interpretation Center, an educational and modern space allowing the discovery of the heritage of the Loire Gorges and the EDF hydroelectric development of Grangent. Interactive furniture enhances the route: films, virtual tours, 3D representations... everything to immerse yourself in the heart of the Loire gorges!
Services for children

Grandpa and grandma took me to the castle for the first time!
I didn't find any treasure but I was able to climb to the top of the tower like the knights of the time. ! Theo 9 years old

Tips and Suggestions

Family walk to reach the castle (accessible by stroller). Children can have fun inside and outside the castle.

Themes:

  • Historical patrimony
  • Castle of
  • Ruins and remains
  • Oppidum

Visit

Average duration of the individual visit: 90 min.
Average duration of the group visit: 90 min.

Language(s) of the visit

Français

Individual visit services

  • Unguided individual tours permanently

Group visit services

  • Guided group tours on request

Opening

Opening hours from April 06 to May 05, 2024
TuesdayOpen from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
WednesdayOpen from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
ThursdayOpen from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
FridayOpen from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
SaturdayOpen from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
SundayOpen from 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Please note that the roof terrace closes at 17 p.m.
Opening hours from May 08 to July 07, 2024
WednesdayOpen from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
FridayOpen from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
SaturdayOpen from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
SundayOpen from 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Public holidays: 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. and 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Please note that the roof terrace closes at 17 p.m.
Opening hours from July 09 to September 01, 2024
TuesdayOpen from 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
WednesdayOpen from 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
ThursdayOpen from 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
FridayOpen from 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
SaturdayOpen from 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
SundayOpen from 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Public holidays from 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Please note that the roof terrace closes at 17 p.m.
Opening hours from September 04 to October 18, 2024
WednesdayOpen from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
FridayOpen from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
SaturdayOpen from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
SundayOpen from 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Please note that the roof terrace closes at 17 p.m.
Opening hours from October 19 to November 03, 2024
TuesdayOpen from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
WednesdayOpen from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
ThursdayOpen from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
FridayOpen from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
SaturdayOpen from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
SundayOpen from 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Public holiday from 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Please note that the roof terrace closes at 17 p.m.

Prices

Access to the Loire Gorges Interpretation Center is free and free except for guided tours and specific event programming.
Free

Services

Equipments

  • Parking nearby
  • Picnic area.
  • Show room
  • Orientation table

Services

  • Educational visits
  • Motorhomes allowed
  • Tourist Documentation
  • Tourist information
  • Free visits
  • Guided tours

Activities on site

  • Permanent exhibition
  • Temporary exhibitions

Home animals

NOT_ACCEPTED

Linked offers

On the spot…

Address

Place called Essalois
42170 Chambles
How do I get there?
u003cdiv id=u0022TA_cdsratingsonlywide341u0022 class=u0022TA_cdsratingsonlywideu0022u003ewan u003cul id=u0022qhPkcXhyu0022 class=u0022TA_links xozUurlhjpu0022u003en u003cli id=u0022TbFwcq7u0022 class=u00226UltqkQx4dV3u0022u003en u003ca target=u0022_blanku0022 href=u0022https://www.tripadvisor.fr/u0022u003en u003cimgn src=u0022https://www.tripadvisor.fr/img/cdsi/img2/branding/tripadvisor_logo_transp_340x80-18034-2.pngu0022n alt=u0022TripAdvisoru0022/u003en u003c/au003en u003c/liu003en u003c/ulu003en u003c/divu003en u003cscript data-cfasync=u0022falseu0022n src=u0022https://www.jscache.com/wejs?wtype=cdsratingsonlywideu0026amp;uniq=341u0026amp;locationId=1533756u0026amp;lang=fru0026amp;border=trueu0026amp;langversion=2u0022u003eu003c/scriptu003e

Was this content useful to you?