Château de Durtal, Medieval castle in Durtal, France
Château de Durtal is a castle that rises on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Loir Valley between Angers and Le Mans. The structure includes defensive walls, multiple towers, and more than 100 rooms showing different construction phases.
The castle was built in the 11th century by Foulques Nerra and Geoffroy de Martel, lords of Anjou, to protect the city of Angers from invasions. It was later rebuilt between the 15th and 17th centuries, now combining medieval and Renaissance styles.
The castle displays a blend of medieval fortifications and Renaissance palace features that were added over several centuries. Visitors can observe this evolution throughout the different rooms and towers that shape the building.
The castle is open from June through September with guided tours available every day except Tuesday. Visitors should wear comfortable walking shoes as the site sits on rocky terrain with uneven ground.
The castle basement contains an extraordinary fireplace, one of the largest in all of France. This impressive space reveals how grand the cooking areas of medieval noble residences could be.
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