Chateau de Brissac

Visit Chateau de Brissac, Pays de la Loire

Chateau Brissac is situated a few kilometres south-east of Angers in the Maine-et-Loire department, in the Loire Valley of France.

History of Chateau de Brissac

Although a castle has stood here since the 11th century, the current construction dates from the rebuilding of Brissac castle in the 15th century by one of the ministers to King Charles VII. The castle then remained in the hands of noble families for the next 100 years.

During the Wars of Religion that ravaged much of France in the latter part of the 16th century Brissac castle was severely damaged during a siege by King Henry IV, only being saved from total demolition when King Henry gave the castle to Charles II of Cossé - along with the necessary funds to rebuild it.

Seized from the family during the revolution, the castle suffered substantial damage and was left abandoned for about 50 years. However, by the middle of the 19th century the castle, now back in the hands of the same family, started undergoing extensive renovations.

The work continued, and now 150 years later, the family have opened Chateau de Brissac to the public (guided tours only).

Visiting Chateau de Brissac

The first thing that attracts your attention when you visit is the sheer height of the castle - at seven stories high Brissac is the tallest castle in France.

The architectural style of the castle facade reflects the renaissance and baroque architecture that was used during the reconstruction, as clearly seen in the decorative stonework of the front of the castle. The round towers incorporated in the building are part of the earlier medieval castle at the same location.

It also has more than 200 rooms. Your visit includes some very impressively furnished rooms such as the Grand Gallery with its ornate ceiling and Aubusson tapestries, the dining room, and bedrooms containing authentic period furnishings. It also includes wine tasting of wines produced on the family vineyard.

Outside, the castle is surrounded by extensive parklands that can also be explored during your visit. Open April to October, admission price was 9 euros when we visited.

Note: the castle is a popular location for local events such as hot air balloons and motor car meetings, for events in the castle such as weddings and parties in the splendour of the historic rooms, and as an upmarket chambre d'hote. Chateau de Brissac is also well known as being home to the Val de Loire festival, in a theatre created in the castle in the 19th century.

See more Loire Valley castles.

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

Suggested places to visit near Chateau de Brissac, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Chateau de Saumur 30km; Saumur 30km; Bauge 33km; Montsoreau 41km; Fontevraud Abbey 42km; Candes-Saint-Martin 43km; Thouars 46km;

Chateau de Brissac tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Eglise de Notre Dame (Chenehutte-Treves-Cunault) - religious monument (16km) : Prieuré de Notre-Dame de Cunault (Chenehutte-Treves-Cunault) - religious monument (16km) : Jardins du Pin - remarkable garden (32km) : Montreuil-Bellay - recommended detour (33km) : Loire-Anjou-Touraine - regional natural parc (41km) : Abbaye Notre Dame de Fontevraud (Fontevraud Abbey) - religious monument (42km) : Chenille-Change - ville fleurie 4* (42km) : Collegiale Church (Candes-Saint-Martin) - religious monument (43km) :

See more places and a map at places near Chateau de Brissac