Visiting Château de Brissac

We drove here from our first base camp for exploring the Loire River Valley in Angers. It was just about 19 kilometers southeast and took about thirty minutes to get there. We were surprised to see the chateau rising above its surroundings as we turned the corner (mistakenly missing the parking lot). This magnificent château is often referred to as the "Giant of the Loire Valley" due to its impressive seven stories, making it the tallest château in France.

The chateau is surrounded by a wrought iron fence, and it looks like an estate which of course it is. The estate grounds consist of a 173 acre park with vineyards and huge centenary trees. The entrance portal is a gate into the estate grounds, and you begin to see how beautiful and well maintained everything is. The vineyard produces AOC rosé wine that can be sampled in the chateau wine vaults. The Chateau is 7 stories tall and contains more than 204 rooms but not everything is open to the public.

Navigating the Château de Brissac involves a series of stairs that connect its seven stories, reflecting its status as the tallest château in France. Visitors encounter both grand staircases and more modest, narrow stairs, highlighting the castle’s architectural evolution from medieval fortress to Renaissance palace. The stairs provide access to opulent rooms, including the theater and reception halls, and allow visitors to explore the château's vertical grandeur. While the layout adds to the experience of its historical ambiance, the multiple flights of stairs may require some physical effort, especially for those wishing to see its upper levels and enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.

A unique feature of the Chateau is that the current chateau owners offer a bed & breakfast. Currently prices start at €495 for two people, which includes breakfast and a tour of the Chateau. Many of the reviews we’ve read said that the breakfast is excellent.

IMAGE CREDITS: Image # 3 above (east view of building) is the property of W. Bulach via Wikimedia Commons using the CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED license. All other images, unless otherwise noted, are the property of Just Travelling Thru, LLC.

The chateau's story starts in the 11th century as a simple wooden fort, strategically positioned by the Counts of Anjou. Over time, it was transformed into a stone castle, reflecting the region's changing needs. The 15th century marked a turning point. Enter Pierre de Brézé, a powerful minister to King Charles VII, who transformed the castle into a luxurious residence. Twin towers, a signature feature, were incorporated into the design.

Following centuries of belonging to the Brézé family, the chateau changed hands during the French Wars of Religion. Severely damaged, it faced the threat of demolition. However, fortune smiled upon the chateau. Charles II de Cossé, a supporter of the future King Henry IV, played a pivotal role. As a reward for his loyalty, the newly crowned king bestowed upon him the chateau, the title of Duke of Brissac, and the funds to rebuild.

Guided by the vision of Charles II de Cossé, the chateau underwent a significant transformation in the 17th century. Embracing the Baroque style, the architects created a masterpiece. The facade was adorned with elaborate sculptures, the grand gallery was constructed, and the interiors were reimagined with a focus on elegance and comfort. This new design cemented Château de Brissac's reputation as a jewel of the Loire Valley.

In 1477, during the Renaissance period, the chateau was owned by Jacques de Brézé, Count of Maulevrier and husband of Charlotte of France, an illegitimate daughter of King Charles VII. Legend has it that Jacques discovered his wife in a compromising situation with one of their servants, a young man named Pierre, in one of the castle's chambers. Overcome with rage and jealousy, Jacques is said to have murdered both Charlotte and Pierre in a fit of passion.

While the exact details of the murder remain shrouded in mystery and historical speculation, the story of the double murder has become an integral part of the chateau's identity and it is often associated with tales of paranormal activity and is reputed to be haunted by the ghosts of Charlotte, known as the “Dame Verte,” or Green Lady and her murdered lover, Pierre. Legend has it that their spirits still roam the corridors and chambers of the chateau, perpetuating the tragic events of their untimely demise.

Visitors and staff members have reported various eerie occurrences, including strange sounds, unexplained footsteps, and sightings of ghostly apparitions. Many believe that the spirits of Charlotte and Pierre continue to linger within the walls of the chateau, forever trapped in a state of unrest.

While some dismiss these stories as mere folklore, others swear by their encounters and experiences at Chateau de Brissac. Whether one believes in the existence of ghosts or not, the tales of paranormal activity add an intriguing layer to the chateau's history.

• How do I get to Château de Brissac?

  From Paris by Train: There is a TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Angers that would require 2 hours 45 minutes. You would have to then take a taxi (there is a bus also) from Angers to Château de Brissac.

  From Angers by Car: Even though the chateau is only 19 kilometers southeast of Angers, due to the number of turns and roundabouts, it is simpler for us to provide you with a link to a Google Map displaying the driving route.

• Parking near Château de Brissac: Public parking is two blocks away, left turn from the Rue Louis Moron and the lot is located on your right.
• How to obtain Château de Brissac Tickets: Château de Brissac entrance tickets are currently only available at the entrance to the estate. The ticket booth is also the entrance portal, so it can't be missed. Adult prices currently €11 per adult.
• Château de Brissac Operating Hours: Currently 10:30AM - 1:00PM, 2:00pm - 5:30PM. Closed on Tuesday.
• Restaurants near Château de Brissac: A coffee shop/snack bar is directly behind the ticket entrance, and there are several restaurants in the village of Brissac. Here is a link for a Google Search Results list of "restaurants near Château de Brissac"
• Accommodations near Château de Brissac: Here is a link for a Google Search Results list of "accommodations near Château de Brissac" sorted in "the most highly rated" order (you can resort this list however you want).

• Wikipedia Article for Château de Brissac: Here is the link for the Château de Brissac Wikipedia Article.
• Our Image Gallery for Château de Brissac: Click here to view our Château de Brissac Image Gallery.
• Google Image Gallery for Château de Brissac: Here is the link for the Google Images set for Château de Brissac.
• Website for Château de Brissac: Click here to visit their Website.
• Château de Brissac Map: Click here to view a Google map.
• Google Reviews for Château de Brissac, France

The first column below ("All Trip Destinations") lists all of our major trip destinations (for this trip) and the next four columns list each of our trip "basecamps" and then a list of what we explored from that basecamp. Each destination name is linked to it's page - so all you need to do is click that name.

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