Langeais Castle: a gem of the Loire Valley

If you are planning to visit Langeais soon (around twenty kilometres to the west of Tours), you cannot miss the imposing castle situated in the heart of the town which dominates the right bank of the Loire. An architecture only matched by its historical richness, lively entertainment and a garden inspired by the Middle Ages make this a place with a unique atmosphere. Here is an overview of the essentials of Langeais Castle.

A turbulent history

The Count of Anjou Foulques Nerra was behind the first construction on this site: a castrum topped with a wooden keep, built in 994. Enlarged by Richard the Lionheart and then reconquered by Philip Augustus in 1206, the building was finally destroyed by the English during the Hundred Years’ War. However, a stone facade remains, later named the “keep of Foulques Nerra”.

It was only in 1465 that the reconstruction – improved – began on the orders of Louis XI. Completed four years later, the fortified castle experienced its major historical event some twenty-two years later. It was on a cold winter morning, 6 December 1491, that Anne of Brittany married King Charles VIII at the age of 14. The wedding celebrated at 7am marked the end of Brittany’s independence, which became attached to the French crown.

Several families subsequently took ownership, the domain being granted as a reward by the crown. Abandoned and looted during the Revolution, the castle was successively dismantled or restored by several owners during the 19th century. The castle and then the park were listed as historic monuments respectively in 1922 and in 1942.

An architecture with two faces

Reconstructed in the 15th century at a pivotal period between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Langeais Castle offers characteristics of both periods. The fortified facade gives way on the garden side to architectural refinement closer to the Renaissance.

You will find the treasures of a true fortified castle with its drawbridge, its machicolations and its parapet walk. The tall roofs and the towers – round, square or hexagonal – ensure the originality of its architecture. Not to mention the remains of the keep of Foulques Nerra, reputed to be the oldest fortress in France.

Also worth admiring are the monumental and finely sculpted chimneys, which together with those of Bourges Castle are unique in France.

Discover today

In addition to the admirable construction, visiting Langeais Castle will offer you today a number of varied pleasures. Starting with the 15 rooms open to the visit, richly furnished to offer you an almost living spectacle. The reconstruction of the royal marriage of Anne of Brittany will take you back to medieval times, as will the richly sculpted furnishings and remarkable tapestries.

Outside, the carefully maintained gardens precede the vestiges of the first destroyed fortress. Beyond, a raised cabin offering an impressive view of the park, a belvedere with views over the Loire and a play area offer entertainment for young and old. Entertainment and shows brighten these spaces, delighting visitors.

If it is not the most famous of the castles of the Loire, Langeais Castle brings together many characteristics that make it a must for a day out with the family. History lovers, architecture enthusiasts or casual visitors will find exceptional attractions there!