The Château d'Azay-le-Rideau is a symbol of the ambition of the "nouveau riche". As the son of a bourgeois merchant, Gilles Berthelot inherited an old château not far from the royal residences. Maître at the Chambre des comptes (chamber of accounts), treasurer of France and Mayor of Tours, he decided to build a home worthy of his rank. He demolished the old building, but retained one tower. Between 1518 and 1523 he had a magnificent new building constructed, reflecting his importance and wealth. As he was frequently absent, it was his wife, Philippe Lesbahy, who primarily supervised the work. The location is unique: an island in the Indre River, which reflects the building's graceful silhouette.

The two wings of the château you can see today stand at right angles, but plans for a third can be detected, which would have brought symmetry to the whole. They have corner turrets, a high roof and a semi-open corridor reminiscent of the battlements of medieval castles. The long wing is accentuated by the internal staircase with its open, richly sculptured windows, and features large triangular pediments. The façades of the château are modulated with horizontal moulding and pilasters framing the windows. The roof is pierced with fine, elegant dormers. In the interior, the straight flight staircase is decorated with sculptured coffers. The rooms feature monumental fireplaces, also decorated with floral and geometric motifs and the emblems of Francis I. The fine sculptured elements belong to the style of the early French Renaissance.

In 1527, the consequences of the trial against the Superintendent of Finances, Jacques de Beaune-Semblançay, affected many of the king's financiers. To avoid the worst, Gilles Berthelot left his unfinished château and fled to Metz, an independent town at the time. His property was confiscated, and he died in exile in 1529. In 1535 the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau was given to Antoine Raffin, Francis I's bodyguard, as a reward for his service at the Battle of Pavia.