Château des Arcis

  • Historic site and monument
  • Castle
  • Donjon
  • Dovecote
  • Bridge
  • Tower
  • Slowlydays
Les Arcis, 53170 Meslay-du-Maine
After taking an active part in the Wars of Religion, between 1575 and 1622 Charles de Cervon gave Les Arcis its "medieval fortress" layout and the smiling appearance of a late-Renaissance château.
The château (a historic monument) stands on a square platform surrounded by a wide moat, which is easy to cross since a drawbridge has been replaced by a standing bridge. At one corner of the courtyard stands the four-storey keep, with its superb slate roof. The Grand Bâtiment des Servitudes will impress you with its size: designed to house horses in stables on the ground floor and men-at-arms in a huge room under the roof, it is flanked by a large dovecote.
Renaissance gardens
Charles de Cervon was a Companion of the Order of the King and Gentleman Ordinary of his court (Henry IV, then Louis XIII), so he was sensitive to the fashion of his time: a large park is hidden at the back of the château, restored and replanted in 2009-2010, according to a plan typical of the late Renaissance.
You'll discover the pleasure garden, with its boxwood embroidery and flowerbeds. You can then stroll along the shady paths, walk along the canals, follow the banks of the pond, discover the rose garden and explore the labyrinth island.
Escape-garden for adults and children: Robin Hood is back! With your family or friends, try to collect Lord Charles' ransom by solving the riddles suggested by Robin and his companions hidden in the park. Don't get lost, though, as the horrible Pierre le Cornu is waiting for you .... Riddles for adults, children and toddlers so you can enjoy the same fun-filled trail as a family!
Learn to recognise birdsong using the Birdie Memory application (free download on smartphone)
Treasure hunt: D'Artagnan in search of the elixir of long life! King Louis XIII is dying! With d'Artagnan and his friend, the Seigneur des Arcis, go in search of the elixir of long life ... or make it yourself thanks to a strange magician who lives secretly in his tower ... Beware, traitors lurk ...

Open from 19 April to 30 June and from 1 September to 22 September, on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Open from 1 July to 31 August on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
visits by appointment possible on other days, subject to availability
Exhibition of contemporary art, "TerrEau fertile" from 8 May to 14 July, in the orangery, two restored barns and the gardens, by the artists Aline Jugé (stone sculptor), Alice Stevens (watercolour/landscape artist), Eugénie Bal (metal artist), Karine Halloucherie (metal artist), Patrick Mahieu (ceramist).

Opening times: 1pm-7pm, except during the exhibition, JEP and Rendez-vous aux jardins: 10am-12.30pm and 2pm-6pm

Prices: adults €7, children aged 6 to 12 inclusive €4, family price €20 for two adults and two children, except during the exhibition when the adult price is €9.

Guided or self-guided tours available every day by appointment for groups.

Services

Services

Special theme activity
Temporary exhibitions
Animals accepted
Educational group visits
Self-guided tours for groups
Guided tours for groups on request
Self-guided tours for individuals

Services offered

Quality standards

Quality standards
Jardin RemarquableJardin Remarquable

Rates

Rates

Single child
From 0€ to 4€

Single adult
From 7€ to 9€

Payment methods

Payment methods

Payment methods

Cheques and giro chequesCheques and giro cheques
CashCash

Accepted customers

Accepted customers
  • Individuals
  • Groups

Openings

Openings

Friday
13:00 - 19:00

Saturday
13:00 - 19:00

Sunday
13:00 - 19:00

Friday
10:00 - 12:30
14:00 - 18:00

Saturday
13:00 - 12:30
10:00 - 12:30

Sunday
10:00 - 12:30
10:00 - 18:00

Monday
10:00 - 12:30
14:00 - 18:00

Friday
10:00 - 12:30
14:00 - 18:00

Saturday
10:00 - 12:30
14:00 - 18:00

Sunday
10:00 - 12:30
14:00 - 18:00

Monday
13:00 - 19:00

Friday
13:00 - 19:00

Saturday
13:00 - 19:00

Sunday
13:00 - 19:00

Friday
13:00 - 19:00

Saturday
13:00 - 19:00

Sunday
13:00 - 19:00

Medias

Medias

youtube
youtube
Missing video caption
youtube
youtube
Missing video caption

Location

Location

Château des Arcis
  • Slowlydays
Les Arcis, 53170 Meslay-du-Maine

Spoken languages

Spoken languages
  • English
  • French
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