Tanlay castle

Visit Tanlay castle, Burgundy

Tanlay is to the north of the Burgundy region, in the Yonne department between Tonnerre and Chatillon-sur-Seine. The castle was built in the latter half of the 16th century, on the site of an earlier castle that had fallen into ruins.

Exploring Tanlay Castle

The main castle is reached through the 'entrance house' which is itself a very substantial property, known as 'le petit chateau', which gives access to the grounds and a bridge across the moat, with obelisks either side.

Built in the renaissance style with white limestone and with attractive slate roofs, Tanlay castle is a lovely building in a lovely setting that is more typical of the castles you would expect to discover in the Loire Valley.

The main facade of the castle features two ornate towers and has additional wings to either side, and round towers in each corner (hence the castle as a whole is in the form of three sides of a square).

The interior of the chateau is sumptuous and luxurious, with impressive wall paintings - above all the frescoes in the Grand Gallery and in the Tour de la Ligue.

The whole building is surrounded by wide moats, in turn surrounded by extensive parkland that further enhances the setting.

There are exhibitions of contemporary art in the buildings in the grounds of Tanlay Castle each summer that are highly regarded.

Tanlay village

The village of Tanlay itself, in front of the castle, is very small but there is a pleasant stretch of canal to walk along and a couple of old buildings of interest.

(Note: most parking is along a long shady avenue of trees - along with warnings that branches might fall on your car during stormy weather. You might like to visit Tanlay on a calm day!

Photos of Tanlay castle (click any picture to start the gallery)

Suggested places to visit near Tanlay castle, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Pontigny 29km; Montbard 31km; Fontenay Abbey 33km; Montreal 34km; Chatillon-sur-Seine 36km; Auxerre 39km; Avallon 42km; Semur-en-Auxois 44km; Bussy-Rabutin Chateau 46km; Vezelay 49km; Flavigny 50km; Troyes 50km; Joigny 54km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Tanlay castle

Tanlay castle tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Jardin du prieuré - remarkable garden (22km) : Abbaye de Pontigny (Pontigny) - religious monument (29km) : Abbaye de Fontenay (Montbard) - religious monument (31km) : Abbaye de Fontenay - remarkable garden (32km) : Neuville-sur-Seine - ville fleurie 4* (32km) : Jardin du moulin de Athie - remarkable garden (34km) : Eglise de Saint Martial (Seignelay) - religious monument (37km) : Potager du château de Lantilly - remarkable garden (40km) :

French version: see Tanlay castle (Francais)