Chateau Montreuil-Bellay
overlooking the river Thouet, can be found ten miles south of Saumur.
There have fortifications on this site from the 11th century.
The
current chateaux is much younger than this,
its fortified gateway leads to a 15th century
house. which you can visit, with the ancient wine
cellars the highlight.
The chateau has lovely gardens overlooking the river and because of its lofty position it offers some great views.
There is a good choice of restaurants by the chateau and the
river. You will also find by the river "Promenade
J.R.R.Tolkien" which has given rise to the stories (untrue)
of Montreuil-Bellay once being a holiday home of the writer
and the chateau and its surroundings being inspirational in
forming some of his literal locations.
The
town of Montreuil-Bellay retains almost all of its medieval walls, making
it one of the last fortified towns of the
Anjou
region. It is well worth a visit as it still retains its
medieval feel. Its strategic location on the borders of
Anjou,
Touraine
and
Poitou
allowed the town to grow and have an important regional
administrative function (subsequently transferred to Saumur)
before the French Revolution, this accounts for the number
of fine houses in the town.
During the French Revolution the castle was seized by the
revolutionary government and used as a prison for women
suspected of being royalists. In 1860 the daughter of Saumur
businessman Adrien Niveleau, (who had bought it in 1822)
undertook occupancy and set about a major restoration
campaign, redoing some of the rooms in the Troubadour style.
Descendants of her husband's nephew are the current owners
of the property.
It was also used as a military hospital during the First
World War.
The
town has on open-air swimming pool open during
May-September.
Château Montreuil-Bellay is also the name of fine wines of
the area produced from vines within the chateau grounds. The
grapes, apparently harvested and sorted by hand, are made
into wine
in
the fifteenth-century wine cellars.
External links:
Official websiteBack to top.
https://www.chateau-de-montreuil-bellay.fr
Directions and time to Montreuil-Bellay
