The Perfume Museum collection includes over 400 years of historical scent-related artifacts.
The castle was originally built for Lancelot du Lac, a favorite of King Louis XII.
The Renaissance gardens were restored in the 1990s based on archeological research into 16th-century layouts.
The 'Promenade des Parfums' is an interactive display showing how different ingredients are extracted for fragrances.
The castle served as a residence for the same family for over 400 years before being converted into a museum.
Château de Chamerolles is a Renaissance castle located in the Loiret department of France, known for housing the Musée des Parfums. The current structure was built on the foundations of a medieval fortress by Lancelot du Lac in the 16th century. The interior features a dedicated museum tracing the history of perfume, toiletry, and hygiene from the Middle Ages to the present day. Visitors can explore a reconstructed 18th-century cabinet of curiosities and a laboratory showing ancient distillation techniques. The estate is surrounded by a large Renaissance-style garden characterized by geometric flowerbeds and water features. The castle is part of a cluster of historic sites situated within the Loire Valley region. The architecture demonstrates a transition from defensive military fortification to a residential pleasure palace.
From the edge of the moat looking towards the main facade of the castle.
Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding parkland which is free to access even when the museum is closed.
Check the museum website for temporary botanical or history exhibitions held in the castle’s additional gallery spaces.
Visit the gift shop for locally-inspired scents and products related to the museum's collection.
Do not overlook the castle's garden; it is a significant part of the site's historical reconstruction rather than just a park.
Closed on certain winter months; visitors should verify seasonal opening dates as the site operates primarily from spring through autumn.
