Châteaux of the Loire Valley

The castles of the Loire are considered a must-visit and exceptional elements of the surrounding areas of Fontevraud. This concentration of prestigious castles is due to the rivalry that existed between the houses Blois and Anjou for the control of the county of Tours. The castles of the Loire are characteristic thanks to their construction either with limestone, just like most houses in the Loire valley, or with brick. Most of them date back to the Renaissance, though others, older ones, were transformed in that same period. Here you will find a non-exhaustive overview of the most interesting buildings to visit.

Located 10 kilometers from Fontevraud, the castle of Brézé is a castle of the 16th century situated in the community of the same name. Its most interesting element is its troglodyte network that lies under the castle and in the pits, also including parts of both everyday life (a bakery, a stable, a silk factory) and military preparation (drawbridge, ramparts).

Address: Château de Brézé, 2 Rue du Château - 49 260 Brézé
☎ +33 (0)2 41 51 60 15
Website: www.chateaudebreze.com

The castle of Brissac is located in Brissac-Quincé, in the area of Maine-et-Loire, 60 kilometers from Fontevraud. It originally was a castle-fortress constructed by the count of Anjou Foulques Nerra, before becoming property of the duke of Brissac.

Address: Château de Brissac, Rue Louis Moron - 49 320 Brissac-Quincé
☎ +33 (0)2 41 91 22 21
Website: www.chateau-brissac.fr

The castle of Montreuil-Bellay is a huge medieval building, reworked multiple times and upstanding in Montreuil-Bellay, only 20 kilometers from Fontevraud. Built from a citadel first created by Foulque Nerra during the 12th century on top of a Roman settlement, it was later equipped with ramparts by the House of Tancarville during the Hundred Years War. It was then expanded even more, before being modernized and ventilated during the 15th century.

Address: Château de Montreuil-Bellay, Place des Ormeau - 49 260 Montreuil-Bellay
☎ +33 (0)2 41 52 33 06
Website: www.chateau-de-montreuil-bellay.fr

The castle of Azay-le-Rideau is situated only 40 kilometers from Fontevraud. Constructed between 1518 and 1527 by the mayor of Tours Gilles Berthelot, a characteristic example of French Renaissance architecture, the building combines elements of the era as well as contemporary ones, added in the 19th century, always inspired by the Renaissance. The castle also features gardens and two water surfaces.

Address: Rue de Pineau, 37 190 Azay-le-Rideau
☎ +33 (0)2 47 45 42 04
Website: www.azay-le-rideau.fr

35 kilometers from Fontevraud, in the area of Deux-Sèvres, one can find the castle of Oiron in the community of the same name. The castle is above all known for its innovative side in regards to contemporary art, as it houses a great collection of such works. The castle also developed the robot Norio, which makes it possible for special needs people to explore the monument and the exhibited works in the same manner.

Address: Château d'Oiron, 10 Rue du Château - 79 100 Oiron
☎ + 33 (0)5 49 96 51 25
Website: www.oiron.fr

The castle of Langeais lies in the community of the same name, in Indre-et-Loire, 30 kilometers from Fontevraud. Like the castle of Brissac, it initially was a castle fortress erected by the end of the 10th century by Foulques Nerra. It was reconstructed by Louis XI in 1465. The castle also possesses a great park divided in sixty parcels intended for fruit trees and grapes.

Address: Château de Langeais, Place Pierre de Brosse - 37 130 Langeais
☎ +33 (0)2 47 96 72 60
Website: www.chateau-de-langeais.com

The castle of Villandry is located 40 kilometers from Fontevraud. Completed in 1532 with the Finances Minister of François I, Jean le Breton, and restored in the 19th century, the castle is above all known for its six sumptuous gardens.

Address: 3 rue Principale, 37 510 Villandry
☎ + 33 (0)2 47 50 02 09
Website: www.chateauvillandry.fr