Château de Lassay

Lassay-les-Châteaux

At Lassay, the château forms an irregular octagon flanked by eight towers, built to withstand firearms. According to Wikipedia, a castrum existed here by the early 12th century at the latest. Around 1417–1422, during the Hundred Years' War, it was damaged and then destroyed by order: its owner, Charles de Vendôme, had joined the Anglo-Burgundian party. On 8 February 1458 King Charles VII authorised Jehan II de Vendôme to rebuild his château; the work lasted from 1458 to early 1459. The barbican was raised in 1497–1498 (Country Life dates it to about 1480). In 1569 the Protestants holding the château capitulated against ransom; Henry IV visited it in 1589. The Madaillan family acquired it in 1639. Léon de Madaillan had the hôtel de Lassay built in Paris, today the residence of the president of the National Assembly. The château was sold on 17 November 1797 to Louis Pierlot, then acquired in 1823 by the Beauchesne family; the Montalembert family has owned it since the 20th century. According to tradition, it was financed by Catherine de Thouars, widow of Gilles de Rais; the story is doubtful, since Gilles died in 1440, before the reconstruction of 1458.

Getting there: In the town of Lassay-les-Châteaux. The château has been open to the public since 1950 according to Country Life; opening hours not verified. Coordinates: OpenStreetMap (Nominatim).

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound