Château du Plessis-Bourré
Château du Plessis-Bourré, Medieval castle in Écuillé, France
Château du Plessis-Bourré is a fortress in the Loire region surrounded by a wide water-filled moat with three drawbridges and a fortified gate. The estate spreads across expansive grounds with gardens and lawns that frame the solid stone structure and create a sense of scale around the building.
Jean Bourré, a powerful minister under King Louis XI, ordered this fortress built between 1468 and 1472 as part of his strategy to establish multiple strongholds in the region. It arose during a period when the French crown was consolidating control and restructuring local authority.
The painted ceiling panels inside display symbols and designs that reflect the spiritual interests of those who once lived here. Walking through the rooms, visitors encounter artworks that reveal the personal taste and intellectual pursuits of the noble families who inhabited this place.
Access is typically available during daytime hours, with options for guided or self-guided exploration depending on preference. It helps to check opening times in advance and whether reservations are needed to avoid long waits.
A flat terrace on the fortress was specifically designed for cannons with low-angle fire, showing how early castle architects adapted to the new military technology of gunpowder weapons. This architectural detail reveals the transition from medieval to early modern thinking in fortress design.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
The Pays de la Loire region is full of lesser-known sites revealing the history and diversity of this western France region. Beyond the typical tourist routes, these sites provide an authentic insight into local heritage, craft traditions, and preserved natural landscapes. Among these destinations...
Angers offers plenty of ways to spend time as a family, whether you want to explore gardens, visit historic sites, or try something playful and fun. You can walk through plant collections, ride bikes on an island, ice skate year-round, or get lost in a corn maze. The city has everything from castles...
Château de Sautré
6.5 km
Château de la Grandière
9.2 km
Plage des Sablières
7.8 kmChâteau du Bois
2.6 kmChapelle de la Roche-Foulques
7.2 km
Manoir de Charnacé
9.1 km
Château de la Rousselière
1.7 km
Jardin botanique de Briollay
4.9 km
Moulin à eau de Sautré
6.8 km
Manoir de la Maldemeure
6.5 kmÉglise Notre-Dame de Cheffes
3.6 km
Manoir de la Hamonnière
5.5 km
Église Saint-Martin-de-Vertou de Bourg
1.3 km
Église de Soulaire
2.5 km
Salle seigneuriale de Briollay
4.9 km
Anjou golf & country club
4.5 km
Église Saint-Hilaire de Cantenay-Épinard
8.3 km
Parc Anjou Aventure
7.7 km
Église Saint-Hilaire d'Étriché
9.3 km
Église Saint-Symphorien de Pruillé
9.2 km
Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste d'Écouflant
8.2 km
Église Notre-Dame de Juvardeil
7 km
Basses vallées angevines
7 km
Église Saint-Marcel de Briollay
4.9 km
Église Saint-Marcel de Tiercé
5.9 km
Église Saint-Martin-de-Vertou de Sceaux-d'Anjou
5.3 km
Écluse de la Roussière
8.4 km
Pop Corn Labyrinthe
8.4 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes