The stunning Château d'Ussé stands high above the landscape of the Loire Valley. Its main courtyard views onto the tranquil Indre River and its surroundings, whilst the back of the chateau borders the lush Chinon Forest. This magnificent castle was begun in 1462 and is said to have inspired writer Charles Perrault, of the 17 th century, to write the fairytale Sleeping Beauty . The Chateau d'Ussé, with its stricking turret roofline, was built on the foundations of a medieval castle, and over the decades was transformed from a fortress into a royal chateau. The chateau facade reflects both its Gothic-style history and features influenced by the Renaissance.