Château des Ormes

The Château des Ormes, in the Vienne, overlooking the Vienne valley, was built in 1642 by the Pussort brothers, uncles of Colbert. It was enlarged in 1729 by Marc-Pierre Voyer d'Argenson, a friend of the Enlightenment philosophes, who dedicated the Encyclopédie to him. It received famous guests, notably Voltaire.

The château is now open to the public, who can visit the main courtyard, the great marble gallery, the Pussort wing, the d'Argenson wing, the reception rooms, the old 17th- and 18th-century kitchens and a recently restored 17th-century icehouse, built in masonry and four-fifths underground. It hosts exhibitions and artistic and cultural events, and rooms can be hired.

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