Château de Montrichard

Château de Montrichard is a medieval castle perched on a hilltop overlooking the Cher River, featuring a central keep and original defensive walls from the 11th century. The structure includes multiple towers, fortifications, and interior spaces that reveal how a feudal stronghold was designed and constructed.

Count Foulques Nerra of Anjou built the fortress in the 11th century as a strategic post for territorial control. It later became a focal point during conflicts between French and English forces seeking dominance in the Loire Valley region.

The castle displays regional crafts and traditional knowledge about Loire Valley life through its exhibitions and seasonal events. Visitors experience how medieval residents would have lived and worked within these walls.

The keep is accessible for climbing, offering views across the Cher Valley from its upper levels. Guided tours in multiple languages are offered seasonally, and the grounds feature pathways that allow visitors to explore the different sections.

In the 1470s, two royal daughters of King Louis XI were married here, making it a venue for major dynastic events of the French court. These weddings connected the fortress to the highest circles of medieval French power and politics.