Known as "Renacium" in the twelfth century, the village developed around its church in the valley of a tributary of the River Indre. More settlements appeared on the rich flood plains at the valley bottom, stretching as far as the valley slopes. It is interesting to note that in 1139, Rigny church had supremacy over Ussé chapel, which must have been situated where the Château's Orangery now stands. During the French Revolution,
Ussé became the administrative centre.
Landscapes:
To the south lies a densely wooded plateau, and to the north, an intensively cultivated alluvial plain. To the right of the château, the River Indre splits off into several branches, separating again by the mill. Arable farming has spread over the flood plains and the banks of the Loire are covered with trees.
For the most part, orchards occupy the valley and vines are planted at the edge of the plateau. The settlement is split between two exceptional sites: one at the foot of the hillside and the other at the outlet of the Rigny valley,
a haven of peace and greenery, where the old church adds greatly to the sense of otherworldliness. The prettiest view of the Château and houses on the hillside is from the Ile Saint Martin
or the old bridge.
Archaeology:
There are few traces of early land use, as valley bottom land is in very short supply. The commune's main archaeological interest lies in the twenty or so small tumuli situated in the park to the west of the Château where 14th and 15th century varnished pottery has been found. A magnificent underground refuge exists underneath the château. The oldest monument is Rigny church, built on the site of a spring and there is a well in the transept crossing. The church has been dated to the end of the 12th century and has been altered on many subsequent occasions. There are 15th century frescos and a 17th century stone altar. King Louis
XI, an avid hunter in the Forest of Chinon, came here to pray.
The Château d'Ussé:
This was built on the site of a fortress that was already in existence in 1004. Jean
de Bueil, a Captain in the army of Charles VII, began building the new château as a country residence in a still defensively-minded style. The round tower, known as the Donjon (Keep), dates back to 1455. The main body of the building came next, followed by the two perpendicular wings.
Finally, the north wing was demolished in 1659 to give the courtyard an open view of the valley. A terrace was also built, adorned by a beautiful, classical 17th century residence. It is said that Charles Perrault used this architecture and the surrounding landscapes as the inspiration
for his description of Sleeping Beauty's castle. The Chapel was completed in 1538, and today is set against a backdrop of tall cedars.
The terrace was designed by Vauban and
Le Nôtre may have had a part in the design of the gardens.
Chateaubriand came several times between 1818 and à
1822 to visit his friend Duchess Claire de Duras, who owned the property from 1807 onwards.
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