Châteaubriant, Medieval castle and Renaissance palace in Loire-Atlantique, France.
Châteaubriant is a fortress and Renaissance palace in Loire-Atlantique that combines an 11th-century castle with a 16th-century palace. The site features preserved defensive walls and furnished rooms that reflect different architectural periods.
The site began as a fortress in the 11th century and was expanded with a Renaissance palace in the 16th century, showing its long development. During World War II, the town gained tragic significance as the location of a concentration camp where 27 resistance fighters were executed in 1941.
The town maintains the Foire de Béré, one of France's oldest continuously held markets, which has taken place every September for more than 900 years and draws thousands of visitors. This market shapes the town's identity and brings the community together regularly.
The town is connected to Rennes by train and is served by the local Castelbus network, which makes arriving and getting around easy. The infrastructure links the town to surrounding communities, making it simple to explore the wider area.
The fortress displays architectural elements from both Breton and French traditions, reflecting its historical position as a boundary point between these two regions. This blend of influences is visible in the building itself and speaks to complex territorial relationships.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
