The structure was almost completely rebuilt by Jean Bueil, a compatriot of Joan of Arc, during the middle part of the 15th century. His son, Antoine Bueil, married the daughter of King Charles VII of France and continued with his father's building efforts. In 1485 Charles d'Espinay bought the chateau and continued the rebuilding, walled the courtyard and arranged for his son to build the collegiate church in 1520.
Built in the white tuffeau stone of the Loire Valley, each of the exotic chateau's wings is filled with turreted towers, capping crenellated and machicolated battlements. Author Charles Perrault (1628-1703) used Chateau Ussé as the castle in his famous fairytale, Sleeping Beauty. Inside the castle, visitors today can see a waxwork tableau from the fairytale.
Parts of the chateau are open to public tours and the rooms contain a remarkable collection of period furniture. The guard room has a collection of weapons, and a gallery with walls covered by a huge tapestry showing realistic scenes.