G U I D E D   T O U R S

A new guide for family visits

“Y’a pas d’âge pour le Moyen Age” (There is no age for the Middle Ages) is the new guide for visiting the castle with the whole family. It is aimed at children between 8 and 12 years of age, accompanied by their parents. “Y’a pas d’âge pour le Moyen Age” suggests a visit in easy stages, full of games and discoveries. Two circuits are offered: the first one to explore the outside of the castle, and the second one to discover the inside of the towers. Both circuits last approximately one hour and a half.
For adults, the guide offers extra - information sheets, in order to go more deeply into the subject.
This new guide even supplements the guided tour because the outside of the castle is barely touched on in the tour.

This guide is an illustrated book

Visits

You have the choice between visiting the castle by yourself or joining a guided tour. By looking at the stones you can distinguish between the different parts of the castle, built between the 13th and the 15th centuries. The comparison between the two centuries enables one to see easily the extent of the architectural changes which were made during this period, as far as defence is concerned. The remains of the ancient apartments show us how the Tournemines’ lived in the 15th century. Last but not least, it is fun to explore all the dark nooks and crannies of the castle.

The guided tour offers a complete overview of the history and architecture of the place, which allows you to discover all these details more easily. However a summary and a map are available at reception if you want to visit the castle by yourself.

Exhibition « C’est quoi ce délire ! Le Moyen Age ne manque pas d’humour »
(« What is all this frivolity! The Middle Ages was not short of humour ! »

From June, 14th until November 04th, 2009

The Middle Ages was not short of humour! On the contrary, at that time, it was without doubt one of the most unrestrained periods, using parody, mockery, burlesque, and sometimes scatology. There are amusing, even daring sculptures on the walls of churches. Curious for a period marked by the moral confines of the Church, which condemned laughter!

How was it that this society ravaged by wars, famines and plagues, kept a light and merry heart? Yet it was then that the first theatrical farces and parodies of religious sermons were developed.

All this will be presented and illustrated : funny jokes, and those in bad taste ; jokes forbidden to chaste and young ears, and those based on ambiguous situations that have been recycled over 800 years…

Despite all the scholarly discourse, the aim is to get you to laugh! Be aware that the exhibition "C’est quoi ce délire!" ("What is all this frivolity “) is not to be taken too seriously!


« The Kid’s corner »

Every day from April 13th to 17th, from 2.30 to 5.00 pm
Every day from July 12th to August 23rd, at 2.00 and 3.15 pm

Every summer, the Château de la Hunaudaye offers activities especially for children, called “Le Coin des P’tits Malins”. Children will have the opportunity to find out more about the Middle Ages through artistic activities, such as making illuminations (painted letters or more complete scenes illustrating medieval texts).

In connection with the exhibition "C’est quoi ce délire!” (What is all this frivolity!”), the kid’s corner 2009 will be on the theme of medieval games.

For an hour or for an afternoon, children will discover the rules of skill or strategy. It's a return to the simplicity of the games of the Middle Ages, using a drawing on the ground and two or three items collected from nature. But we’d better warn you, some of the games may also require you to rack your brains and think carefully.
« Villon ou l’entresort de la Mandragore »
Patter around François Villon
On Sunday, June 21th and October, 25th, at 3.30 pm

As part of the exhibition "C’est quoi ce délire!” (“What is all this frivolity!”), tribute is paid to the work of François Villon. Villon is one of the great poets of the Middle Ages who had a wandering, amused but also disillusioned eye, and commented on his time, his society and himself.

Spectacle written and interpreted by André Layus, Company Avou Dvoir. Lasts 40 min.


Open-air cinema : Le roman de Renart
Thursday, August, 20th, at 9.30 pm. Free entrance

In the court of King Noble, numerous complaints have built up against Renart (Fox), who spends his time tricking his friends. In spite of the pleadings of his lawyer, Renart is condemned to be hanged. A final trick enables him to survive. Furious, his Majesty the Lion Noble, orders the siege of Malpertuis, the Castle of Renart. The whole war machine is put in action ... Will Renart survive again ?


A castle under the stars
How to spend the night in a castle in ruins

On Tuesdays: August 11th, 18th, 25th, at 10 pm
It is a rare experience that the castle is offering you on these three nights: a night in a castle haunted by death, as locals used to say. In a small group, the castle is yours, without a guide. You bring your sleeping things and you can go and experience dusk at the top of the towers. Animal noises can be heard. Barn owls are out hunting, and bats too. (A fire in the hearth will encourage you to gather in the main room. Listen out for the castle ghost, and observe the night sky through the telescope.)
Then you choose your corner … to sleep under the stars in your sleeping bag. In the morning, a breakfast awaits you.


Let’s play to the Hunaudaye !

Sunday, September 13th, from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm. Free entrance for children

The castle proposes one special day for children to discover the castle and Middle Ages. Free entrance for children.

OPENING DAYS AND HOURS

1st April – 13th June
Every Wednesday and Sunday, and bank holiday from 2.30 to 6.00 pm.
Adults : 3.00€
Reduced rate : 2.00 €

Easter holidays : 6th April – 26 April
Every day, from 2.30 to 6.00 pm
Adults : 3.00€
Reduced rate: 2.00 €

14 June – 13 September
Every day from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm
Adults : 4.50€
Reduced rate:: 3.50 €

14 September – 05 November
Every Wednesday and Sunday, and bank holiday from 2.30 to 6.00 pm
Adults : 4.50€
Reduced rate: : 3.50 €

Autumn half-term Holiday
Every day from 2.30 to 6.00 pm
Adults : 4.50€
Reduced rate: 3.50 €

Events :
A castle under the stars
August, 11th, 18th, 25 th
Adults : 14.50 €
Reduced rate: 5.00 €
Let’s play at La Hunaudaye
Sunday, September 13th
Adults : 3.50 €
Children : free

« Black light »
Free entrance

Open-air cinema
Free entrance
Heritage Days
September, 19th and 20th
Free entrance : 10.30-12.30 am and 1.30-6.30 pm

The price of the ticket gives access to all activities of the castle (guided tours, exhibition, children’s workshop)