Château de Goulaine

Château de Goulaine is a Renaissance castle and winery in Haute-Goulaine that combines military and residential elements, featuring fortified walls, a moat, and an entrance tower built from local Tuffeau limestone. The structure rises over medieval foundations and displays the typical Loire Valley architecture with characteristic stone and towers.

The estate was established around 1000 AD and ranks among the oldest still-operating winery-chateaus in the world, with the current structure built in 1480 over medieval foundations. The family has continuously produced wine on the grounds over centuries and maintained the castle as a residence.

The castle houses the LU Museum in its former stables, displaying 500 artworks that tell the story of the famous cookie manufacturer from Nantes. Visitors can explore how the Lefèvre-Utile family built their brand and the role this place played in the region's identity.

The wine cellars beneath the castle maintain optimal conditions for storing Muscadet bottles produced on the estate, accessible to visitors throughout the year. The rooms remain cool and humid, offering insight into local wine production and storage methods.

The property once housed a butterfly aviary where hundreds of tropical species flew freely among the plants, established by Marquis Robert de Goulaine. This aviary closed in 2016 and was replaced by a smaller version featuring local butterfly species.