Built from cream-and-fawn tufa and topped by bell-shaped, slate-topped towers, the grand Château de Serrant is a small slice of Renaissance style. Begun by aristocrat Charles de Brie in the 16th century, the château (seen only by guided tour) is notable for its 12,000-tome library , huge kitchens and an extravagant domed bedroom known as the Chambre Empire , designed to host Emperor Napoléon (who actually only hung around for about two hours).
The château is near St-Georges-sur-Loire, 15km southwest of Angers on the N23.
Anjou Bus lines 22 and 24 serve Angers (€1.80, 30 to 40 minutes, two to four Monday to Saturday).
