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Château du Plessis-Bourré today

France · Restored

Château du Plessis-Bourré

Château du Plessis-Bourré is a French moated château notable for its compact rectangular plan, round corner towers and steep slate roofs. It presents a fortified-appearance with a prominent gatehouse and a stone arched bridge across the surrounding moat.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1537

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1537

What Château du Plessis-Bourré looked like in its prime.

A compact, rectangular limestone château set within a full water-filled moat, linked to the shore by a low stone bridge of three rounded arches. Each corner is anchored by a cylindrical tower capped with tall conical slate roofs; a projecting square gatehouse with corbelled machicolations fronts the main entrance. The long main block has a steep, continuous slate roof punctured by small dormers and a taller central roof peak; pale, weathered tuffeau stone facades meet the waterline directly.

Its story

The story of Château du Plessis-Bourré.

The Château du Plessis-Bourré was built in less than five years, from 1468 to 1472, by Jean Bourré, finance minister and principal advisor to King Louis XI. It has not been modified externally since its construction, still has a fully working drawbridge, and was classified as a Monument historique in 1931.

The château was later owned by the Maison de Nuchèze, whose Jean de Nuchèze bore the title Seigneur du Plessis in the sixteenth century. In 1911 it was purchased by Henry Vaïsse, who on his death in 1956 bequeathed it to his nephew François Reille-Soult, Duke of Dalmatie, descendant of the Napoleonic marshals Soult, Reille and Masséna.

From 1978 the duke's granddaughter Antoinette de Ferrières de Sauvebœuf and her husband Bruno headed its renovation and maintenance, living there with their three children for 31 years, the longest stay of a single family since 1473. Since 2010 it has been inhabited by Reille-Soult descendants, and its moated silhouette has appeared in numerous films, from Peau d'Âne to The Princess of Montpensier.

Step inside

5 places to explore in 1537.

The record describes 5 distinct spots at Château du Plessis-Bourré, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach across the three-arch stone bridgePanoramic view from the opposite bank of the moatGatehouse exterior and entrance archBase of a west cylindrical tower looking upwardDetail of the machicolated projecting tower

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Whose castle

Clans who held Château du Plessis-Bourré.

The families that held Château du Plessis-Bourré for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Bourré

    Built 1468–1472 by Jean Bourré, finance minister and principal advisor to Louis XI.

  • Nuchèze

    Once owned by the Maison de Nuchèze; Jean de Nuchèze was styled Seigneur du Plessis in the 16th century.

  • Reille-Soult

    Held by the Reille-Soult family, Dukes of Dalmatie, since Henry Vaïsse's bequest of 1956.

Questions about Château du Plessis-Bourré

What is the history of Château du Plessis-Bourré?

Château du Plessis-Bourré was built in the late 15th century by Jean Bourré, finance minister and principal adviser to Louis XI. Construction took less than five years, from 1468 to 1472, on the site of an earlier manor. It later passed through the Nuchèze, La Planche de Ruillé, Avenant, Vaïsse and Reille-Soult families, and was classified as a Monument historique in 1931.

What is inside Château du Plessis-Bourré?

Inside Château du Plessis-Bourré are the salle des gardes, tapestries, paintings, wood panelling and classified furniture. The guards’ room has a coffered ceiling divided into twenty-four painted panels, including alchemical symbols and proverbial scenes. Other objects include a polychrome wooden Virgin of Sorrows, Flemish tapestries and portraits of Jean Bourré, Marguerite de Feschal and Charles Bourré.

Why was Château du Plessis-Bourré built, and what was it used for?

Château du Plessis-Bourré was built as both a fortress and a pleasure residence. Its defensive role is shown by the broad moat, double drawbridges, massive towers and covered way, while its Renaissance features and large salons reflect residential use. A terrace around the walls allowed artillerymen to take position around the château.

Does anyone live in Château du Plessis-Bourré now?

Yes, Château du Plessis-Bourré is lived in by descendants of François Reille-Soult. It has been inhabited by Reille-Soult descendants since 2010, following the 31-year residence of Antoinette de Ferrières de Sauvebœuf, her husband Bruno and their three children from 1978. The property is managed by Aymeric d’Anthenaise and Jean-François Reille-Soult de Dalmatie.

Where is Château du Plessis-Bourré?

Château du Plessis-Bourré is in Écuillé, in the Loire Valley and the Maine-et-Loire department. It stands about fifteen kilometres north of Angers, between the valleys of the Mayenne and the Sarthe. Écuillé is the commune in which the château is situated.

When was Château du Plessis-Bourré built?

Château du Plessis-Bourré was built in the late 15th century. The construction is dated to 1468–1472 in one account and to 1468–1473 in another, so it belongs to the 15th century. It replaced an earlier manor on the Plessis-le-Vent estate.

Which family or clan held Château du Plessis-Bourré?

The families and houses that held Château du Plessis-Bourré included the Bourré, Nuchèze and Reille-Soult families. Jean Bourré built it between 1468 and 1472; the Maison de Nuchèze later owned it; and the Reille-Soult family, Dukes of Dalmatie, held it after François Reille-Soult inherited it in 1956.

What did Château du Plessis-Bourré look like in its prime?

Château du Plessis-Bourré has a compact rectangular limestone form surrounded by a full water-filled moat. Four cylindrical corner towers carry tall conical slate roofs, while a projecting square gatehouse has corbelled machicolations. A low three-arch stone bridge crosses the moat, and the long main block has a steep continuous slate roof with small dormers.

Is Château du Plessis-Bourré still standing or is it a ruin?

Château du Plessis-Bourré is still standing and is restored rather than a ruin. Its exterior has not been modified since its construction, and it retains a fully working drawbridge. The château, its pond, moat and avenues were classified as historic monuments by an order dated 1 June 1931.

Can you visit Château du Plessis-Bourré?

Yes, Château du Plessis-Bourré can be visited because it was opened to the public and a visitor circuit was created. It remains a lived-in property, with descendants of François Reille-Soult inhabiting it since 2010. The château is also a classified historic monument.

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