Château du Plessis-Bourré, Angers

Castle in Angers

CC BY-SA 3.0 / NonNobis

The Château du Plessis-Bourré, located in Écuillé near Angers, is a remarkable example of 15th-century French architecture. Constructed between 1468 and 1473 by Jean Bourré, the finance minister to King Louis XI, the château seamlessly blends medieval defensive features with Renaissance elegance. Surrounded by a wide moat and accessible via a 44-meter-long bridge, it boasts four corner towers, a functioning drawbridge, and a chemin de ronde (rampart walk), all of which have remained largely unaltered since its completion. This preservation makes it one of the few Loire Valley castles to retain its original exterior architecture.

Inside, visitors can explore richly decorated rooms furnished according to the styles of the 15th to 19th centuries. The Salle des Gardes (Guard Room) is particularly notable for its coffered ceiling, which features 24 painted panels. Sixteen of these panels depict alchemical symbols inspired by the three primary substances: mercury, sulfur, and salt, while the remaining eight illustrate proverbial scenes with a mischievous spirit. These artworks were once concealed due to their boldness.

The château has also served as a filming location for several movies, including Jacques Demy's “Peau d'Âne” (1970) and Bertrand Tavernier's “La Princesse de Montpensier” (2010). Open to the public from February to November, the Château du Plessis-Bourré offers both guided and self-guided-tours. Visitors can enjoy exploring the castle's interiors, strolling through its surrounding parklands, and experiencing a site that beautifully encapsulates the transition from medieval fortress to Renaissance residence.

The Château du Plessis-Bourré appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Angers!

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