Plessis-Bourré Castle

Plessis-Bourré Castle, locally known as Château du Plessis-Bourré, lies southeast of the village of Écuillé in the Maine-et-Loire department in France.

Plessis-Bourré Castle was built by Jean Bourré between 1468 and 1473. Jean was Finance Minister and principal advisor to King Louis XI. Busy with his numerous duties for the king, Jean was often absent and so it was his wife, Marguerite de Feschal, who ensured the smooth execution of the building process. She did this from her residence at Vaux Castle, which was a castle also built by Jean just before 1468 and situated some 25 kilometers to the north.

The castle of Plessis-Bourré is seen as an example of the architectural transition from the High Middle Ages to the arrival of the Renaissance. For its wide moat, double drawbridge, sturdy towers and wall-walks point to defense. While its large courtyard with arcaded gallery, the large rooms lit by high mullioned windows, and its rich decorations point to comfort. Its exterior has been virtually unchanged since its construction.

After it was finished the castle was visited by 2 French kings, in that same century; Louis XI in 1479 and his successor Charles VIII with his older sister Anne of France, in 1487.

The descendants of Jean and Marguerite became Counts of Plessis-Bourré and Marquesses of Jarzé. Through marriage Plessis-Bourré Castle passed to the Savary de Brèves family in the 2nd half of the 17th century.

In 1751 the castle was sold to the La Planche de Ruillé family, whose last descendant died at the castle in 1835. Apparently the castle was abandoned after that, for by 1850 it stood for sale and was in danger of becoming a stone quarry because there were no interested buyers. To prevent this, it was finally bought by a notary from Angers.

A Henri Vaïsse bought Plessis-Bourré in 1911. Through inheritance it then passed to the Duke of Dalmatia who opened it up to the public in 1955. The Duke's descendants lived on the castle grounds until 2018. They still own the castle to this day.

Plessis-Bourré Castle can be visited for fee. A beautiful castle and I strongly recommend a visit when you are in the area.

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