Last Updated on August 21, 2024
Note to Readers: Ever since covid, visitors are no longer allowed at the feeding of the hounds at Château de Cheverny. However, we are leaving the video on this site since many people have enjoyed it, as you may also.
Video below
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Visit the 17th-century Château de Cheverny in France’s Loire Valley. It’s one of the finest châteaux in France, well-preserved with beautiful furniture and attractive interior decorations. For many it’s the most perfect chateau in all of France, the very best of French classical architecture.
But many instead know Château de Cheverny for its hounds – a cross between Foxhounds from England and Poitevins from France (French pointer). There are more than 100 of them at the château and they are still used for hunting.
You can visit the hounds all day long but it’s their daily feeding, the Soupe des Chiens, that is quite a spectacle for both the French and travelers from around the world.
The schedule for their feedings are: April 1st – September 14th the dogs are fed daily at 11.30am. September 15th – March 31st they are fed at 11.30am but only on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Make It a Special “Château de Cheverny” Holiday
If you want to do something special on a holiday, make your stop at the Château de Cheverny part of a longer trip, perhaps seeing several châteaux on a multi-day tour of the Loire Valley. We made our visit part of a driving tour of Normandy and the Loire Valley from Paris. It was a wonderful experience. And, moreover, we didn’t even need to leave Charles de Gaulle Airport to pick up our rental car.
In addition, the road to Normandy is right outside the airport. That means there’s no need to fight the legendary Paris traffic most drivers encounter.
You may also enjoy: Normandy from Paris: an Easy 2-Day Trip / Why You Shouldn’t Stay in a Mont St. Michel Hotel / Where to Find 8 Wonderful Walks in Paris.
Jim that was a great vido who cleans up the poop? Gg
The guy you see standing there with the hounds.
poor, poor enslaved dogs!
What a shitty life for dogs. French bastards.
Actually, they’re very well taken care of…health always checked, plenty of time to run through the forest, etc.
I’m so disappointed. When I visited many years ago, the dogs were fed real food. Sad to see them eating processed feed now. I’ve always admired the French for their pride and love of unprocessed food. 😞
Since Covid, unfortunately they no longer feed the dogs for the public to see.
I’m sorry to hear that Paula. I’ve checked it out and see that the feeding is no longer on the Chateau’s schedule. Hopefully, it will be restated in the future. Thank you for letting us know.