Located in Burgundy, in the department of Yonne, the construction of Tanlay Castle began in the early sixteenth century, on the foundations of an ancient fortress. A century later, the construction of the castle, as we know it today, was completed. This private castle has still been inhabited by the same family since the eighteenth century.
Visit
The tour of the castle takes the form of guided visits (English and French with text in English, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish and Russian) and taking pictures is not allowed in most rooms. The visit is interesting, rooms are furnished and some of them are particularly beautiful, among others the gallery with trompe-l’oeil paintings, mural paintings of the vault of the “League tower”, etc. Unfortunately, there are only a few scheduled visits by day but the tour departure times are clearly indicated on the website of the castle of Tanlay. We saw several visitors turning back because they had to wait over an hour before the start of the next visit. Visitors are received without enthusiasm. Indeed, on one side, the guides are friendly and the interior of the castle is really worth visiting. On the other side, the park is very simple, there is no indication / explanation in the park, no activity … There is also no provided space for picnics, which we discovered after receiving an unpleasant remark (summer 2016). It’s a shame, clearer explanation could have prevented this misunderstanding and a few outdoor facilities could provide a real added value to the property.
However, we keep a very good souvenir of the visit! We advise you to visit the interior of the mansion. Outside, you can still sit on a bench or stroll along the canal next to the castle.
The castle is open from mid-March to mid-November (visits for groups, by reservation, from early March to late November).
Activities
Besides visiting the castle, no other activity is organized within the castle. However, in the outbuildings, is the art center of Tanlay present an annual art exhibition. During the Heritage Days, parts of the castle usually closed to the public, are also open.
If you live in the area, a golf course was built in the park of Tanlay Castle.
