Fourteen kilometres west of Azay-le-Rideau, as the Indre approaches its confluence with the Loire, is the Château d'Ussé in RIGNY-USSÉ (daily: April–Sept 9.30am–6.30pm; mid-Feb to March & Oct to mid-Nov 10am–noon & 2–5.30pm; €9.80). With its shimmering white towers and terraced gardens, this is the ultimate fairy-tale Château – so much so that it's supposed to have inspired Charles Perrault's classic retelling of the Sleeping Beauty myth. Going inside for the guided tour isn't half as compelling, and perhaps not worth the rather excessive entrance fee, though for €3 you can buy a ticket for the best bits, taking in the lovely Renaissance chapel, the gardens designed by Le Notre, and the tall round tower whose little rooms are populated by dummies illustrating the story of Sleeping Beauty – a hit with some younger children.
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