Château du Moulin

Château du Moulin is a compact yet remarkably elegant castle in Lassay-sur-Croisne, in the heart of the Sologne region, department of Loir-et-Cher. Locals call it the "pearl of the Sologne" — and one look at the brick walls mirrored in the surrounding moat explains why.

Who built the château, and why?

Construction began in 1480 and was completed around the turn of the 16th century. The founder was Philippe du Moulin, a childhood friend of King Charles VIII who saved the king's life at the Battle of Fornovo in 1495. As a reward — and to mark the occasion — du Moulin raised this residence, designed by court architect Jacques de Persigny. The result blends late flamboyant Gothic with the earliest touches of the French Renaissance, a transitional style typical of the period when France was just opening up to Italian influence.

What will you see on site?

A full water-filled moat encircles the château, and its walls are decorated with a distinctive diagonal brick pattern interwoven with stone — a technique typical of the Sologne region, rarely preserved in such good condition elsewhere. The building's silhouette is compact and symmetrical, with corner turrets and steep roofs that give it a storybook character.

The grounds also host the Conservatoire de la Fraise, a garden dedicated to strawberry varieties — an unusual feature rarely found at other Loire Valley castles, and a pleasant way to combine history with horticulture during a visit.

The château has been listed on France's register of historic monuments since 1926, and a year later it received classified status, the country's highest level of heritage protection. It changed owners in the summer of 2025 and reopened its doors to visitors in the spring of 2026, so returning guests should check current visiting arrangements before arriving.

How do you get to Château du Moulin?

Lassay-sur-Croisne sits in the heart of the Sologne, between Romorantin-Lanthenay and Contres — an area known for its forests, ponds, and other Loire Valley castles such as Chambord and Cheverny, which can easily be combined into a single day trip. The most convenient way to arrive is by car; the nearest larger towns are Blois and Romorantin-Lanthenay.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and summer are the best seasons, when the greenery around the moat and the gardens are at their fullest and the château's reflection in the water is most striking. Autumn adds its own charm through the colours of the Sologne forests, though visiting hours tend to be shorter outside the main season.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of Château du Moulin? Yes, the château is open to visitors — after changing hands in 2025, it reopened to the public in spring 2026.

Why is it called the "pearl of the Sologne"? Because of its elegant transitional architecture between Gothic and Renaissance styles, and its picturesque setting by the moat, which has long charmed travellers and art historians alike.

What is the Conservatoire de la Fraise? It's a garden on the château grounds dedicated to different strawberry varieties — an unusual attraction that adds variety to a visit to this historic residence.

Are there other castles worth visiting nearby? Yes, the Sologne and the wider Loire Valley offer several options within easy reach, including Chambord and Cheverny, making it easy to plan a longer castle-hopping route through the region.