Château de Montsoreau

Montsoreau

With its feet in the Loire, the château radiates a romantic, melancholy atmosphere, immortalised by Alexandre Dumas.

Built between 1443 and 1453 by Jean II de Chambes on a rocky spur directly overlooking the Loire, at its confluence with the Vienne, this château is the only one in the Loire Valley built in the very bed of the river. A first fort existed here as early as 990 under Count Odo of Blois, before passing under Angevin control with Fulk Nerra and then being taken by Henry II Plantagenet in the 12th century. In 1572, Jean IV de Chambes, lord of the place, took an active part in the St Bartholomew's Day massacre in Anjou. The château was restored on a large scale from 1923 onwards, after having been sold as national property during the Revolution.

Getting there : Listed as a historic monument since 1862; site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Loire Valley; open to visitors (centre for contemporary art)

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

Ambient sound