French Chteau Living

Providing intimate insight into life in a French château, this volume takes readers on an insider's tour of the Château du Lude, a private residence in the Loire Valley that features its original decorative interiors.

Nestled in the idyllic Loire Valley, the Château du Lude is one of the most historic châteaux in France; Bluebeard besieged the castle on his way to join Joan of Arc's crusade and it earned the rare distinction of having survived the French Revolution intact.

Today, the Lude is inhabited and impeccably maintained by the Count and Countess LouisJean de Nicolay, whose family has owned the property for over 250 years.

They invite readers to discover the château's well-preserved interiors and gardens, which feature a medieval kitchen, an Italian Renaissance studiolo, and exceptional horse stables, offering a glimpse into the lifestyle of the château's inhabitants past and present. Newly-commissioned photographs offer unprecedented access into the hidden corners of the estate that are not usually open to the general public. The Lude hosts annual garden and literary festivals on the property, and is a popular tourist destination.