FAQ

You can only get the bus to the museum if you plan to stay in Saché (B&B or hostel) and take the Saché-Tours bus (timetable). If you're here for a day trip, it's best to get a taxi from Tours or Azay-Le Rideau (you can take the train to Azay-Le-Rideau station).

There is one disabled parking space in front of the château gate.

There are bike stands in the museum grounds near the toilets. The museum is approved as bike- friendly by Accueil Vélo (prime location near the "L’Indre à vélo" bike path) and provides a repair kit and three e-bike chargers for cyclists to use.

There are lockers near the museum's ticket desk. You need a 1 Euro coin to use them. They fit helmets, small backpacks or bike bags. For anything bigger, please ask the ticket desk about their left-luggage facility.

We recommend a baby carrier for little ones.
You can use a pushchair in the grounds but not inside the museum given the many staircases and narrow exhibition areas (there's space at the ticket desk to leave your folding pushchair).
There's a baby change facility in the disabled toilets.
Please ask at reception for a bottle warmer.
There are toilet training seats available in the toilets in grounds.
You can pick up a free games booklet for children to explore the museum (Mistigris tour for 4-8 year olds/Balzac game for 9-14 year olds) plus there's a sensory "barefoot" trail in the grounds.
The museum runs children's activities over half term (zone B; please see schedule).

The grounds are free to visit and you can take a picnic.

The museum is not suitable for wheelchairs. Wheelchair users unable to visit the museum can use the free tablet provided to go on a virtual tour. The grounds, toilets and barn (open for events) alone are accessible for disabled visitors.

The Musée Balzac gift shop sells soft drinks and hot drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, fruit juice, sparkling water etc.) and local produce (rillettes, terrines, jam, honey, crispbread etc.). Head 200m into the village to indulge in the finest French cuisine at L’Auberge du XIIe Siècle restaurant and take a break at Le Balzac bar. You can pick up a bite to eat at the bakery and grocery shop. Picnics are allowed in the grounds.

Dogs are not allowed in the grounds or museum. Only guide dogs with sight-impaired visitors are allowed.

You don't need to book ahead to visit Musée Balzac. We recommend booking if you want to join an introductory tour (20 min) or guided tour (1 hr). Booking is required for groups (general admission and guided tours), for events (please see event schedule) and presentations  and guided tours in English : contact.

E-tickets bought on the Billetterie - Musée Balzac website (departement-touraine.fr) are non- refundable (unless visitors are unable to enter the museum due to the site being closed in unforeseen circumstances). However, you can amend or exchange your tickets online as long as you do so before the date you originally chose to visit. You cannot amend or exchange your tickets after the date stated on your ticket.

Tickets bought on-site are valid for the day you buy them on.
E-tickets are valid for the date you select when you buy them.
Tickets sold by other providers are valid for the day you visit.

The museum has a "Privilege Pass" providing unlimited access to the museum, themed tours, exhibitions and events for one year (find out more).

Set aside around 1.5 hr to visit the entire site (museum and grounds) and remember that the ticket desk shuts 30 minutes before closing time.
The museum introductory tour lasts 20 minutes and the guided tour takes 1 hour (only in French - Booking is required for presentations  and guided tours in English : contact.)

Introductory tours (20 minutes) and guided tours (1 hr) are included in the admission price. Booking is required for presentations "Balzac within 20 minutes" and guided tours in English : contact.