La Possonnière Castle

La Possonnière is a Renaissance manor house in the Loire region, with a rectangular main structure built in the 16th century and decorated with Italian sculptures at its doors. The building holds underground kitchens carved directly from limestone, creating spaces where stone walls meet fine architectural detailing.

The manor was founded in 1515 by Loys de Ronsard, a knight who served at the courts of Louis XII and Francis I. The birthplace of the renowned poet Pierre de Ronsard in 1524, it became tied to literary history through his later writings and influence.

The house carries the legacy of poet Pierre de Ronsard, whose love of verse shaped how the gardens were planted and designed. Walking through the grounds, you notice how flowers and greenery seem chosen to inspire the same wonder he found in nature.

The property welcomes visitors from March through November, with longer hours available during the warmer months. Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking on uneven ground, especially in the underground areas of the buildings.

The property features underground rooms carved into natural limestone, with doors styled in Renaissance fashion that blend medieval excavation techniques with Italian design influences. These troglodytic spaces offer a rare look at how 16th-century craftspeople mixed practical cave-dwelling with refined aesthetics.