Chateau Plessis-Bourre

Visit Chateau Plessis-Bourre, Pays de la Loire

The Chateau Plessis-Bourre, constructed between 1468-1472 by Jean Bourré (financial advisor to King Louis XI), is found to the north of Angers, in the Maine-et-Loire department.

Built using a medieval castle that previously stood here as a starting point, in the decades following its construction the castle was one of the most important in the Loire Valley and both Louis XI and Charles VIII stayed at Plessis-Bourré.

The transition style of castle

The castle combines a defensive purpose - this can be seen in the wide moat crossed by a drawbridge and the design of the corner towers - and design elements that were incorporated to make the accommodation more comfortable to live in - as suggested by the remainder of the external structure and also the layout and decor inside the castle.

This is known as the 'transition' style - in the decades to follow most castles in the Loire were to abandon the defensive capabilities.

Highlights at Plessis-Bourre

Broadly square in design, the castle features substantial round towers at each corner and the main accommodation between the towers around an interior courtyard.

The moats and gardens around the castle create a very picturesque sight among the most attractive of the Loire castles.The drawbridge is still operational, and reaches an imposing entrance.

Inside, the castle also has a great deal of interesting furniture, tapestries and paintings, with elements from each century since its construction. One particular highlight of a visit is the magnificent carved and painted ceiling in the Salle des Gardes - the most controversial elements of the ceiling represent the symbols of alchemy at the time.

An unaltered chateau

Apart from quite minor alterations little has changed in the external appearance of the castle since its original construction, which is very unusual among the chateaux of the Loire. Chateau Plessis-Bourre also escaped important damage during the Wars of Religion and the French revolution.

Due to this, and the setting and 'authenticity' of the castle with working drawbridges, a moat and dungeons, the castle has featured in several period films.

See a more detailed article about Chateau Plessis-Bourré in our French Castles section.

See more Loire Valley castles.

See Pays de la Loire and Maine-et-Loire (the region and department for Chateau Plessis-Bourre) for more travel ideas...

Suggested places to visit near Chateau Plessis-Bourre, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Aubigne-sur-Layon 44km; Saulges 44km;

Chateau Plessis-Bourre tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Chenille-Change - ville fleurie 4* (14km) : Coudray - ville fleurie 4* (23km) : Chateau-Gontier - ville fleurie 4* (28km) : Jardins du Pin - remarkable garden (32km) : Prieuré de Notre-Dame de Cunault (Chenehutte-Treves-Cunault) - religious monument (37km) : Eglise de Notre Dame (Chenehutte-Treves-Cunault) - religious monument (37km) : La Fleche - recommended detour (37km) : La Cropte - ville fleurie 4* (40km) :

See more places and a map at places near Chateau Plessis-Bourre