Château de Montsoreau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Château de Montsoreau |
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Château de Montsoreau, Loire Valley.
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Flamboyant Gothic, French Renaissance |
| Location | Montsoreau Maine-et-Loire France |
| Address | Château de Montsoreau 49730 Montsoreau France |
| Coordinates | Lua error in Module:Coordinates at line 614: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| Current tenants | Philippe Méaille |
| Construction started | 1443 |
| Completed | 1515 |
| Height | 45m |
| Official name: The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes, previously inscribed as Chateau and Estate of Chambord | |
| Type: | Cultural |
| Criteria: | i, ii, vi |
| Designated: | 2000 (24th session) |
| Reference #: | 933 |
| Region: | Europe |
The Château de Montsoreau is a beautiful castle in the Loire Valley of France. What makes it special is that it's built right into the Loire riverbed! You can find it in the small town of Montsoreau, in the Maine-et-Loire area. It sits where two rivers, the Loire and the Vienne, meet. This spot is also where three old regions of France come together: Anjou, Poitou, and Touraine. It's the only one of the famous Loire Valley castles built directly in the river.
People have lived in Montsoreau since ancient Roman times. While we don't know for sure if a castle was there back then, old Roman stone pieces have been found. The first written records about Montsoreau are from the 6th century. A strong fortress was built here around the late 900s, which helped the town grow. Parts of this very first castle have been found by archaeologists. The castle you see today was rebuilt between 1450 and 1460. It was built by Jean de Chambes, a very rich and important advisor to King Charles VII and King Louis XI.
The Château de Montsoreau is famous because it was featured in a novel by Alexandre Dumas. His book, La Dame de Monsoreau (written in 1845–1846), is part of a series about the Renaissance period.
Because of its importance, parts of the Château de Montsoreau were recognized as a special historical building (a monument historique) by the French government in 1862. The entire Loire Valley, where the castle is located, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. This means it's a place of great importance to the world.
In 2015, a French art collector named Philippe Méaille made a deal to use the castle for 25 years. Now, the Château de Montsoreau is home to the Château de Montsoreau-Museum of Contemporary Art. It displays Méaille's collection of modern art, especially works by the group Art & Language.
Contents
What's in a Name?
Old Latin Roots
The name Montsoreau first appeared on a Latin map in 1086. It was called Castrum Monte Sorello or Mons Sorello. Mons or Monte means a "rocky hill." The meaning of Sorello isn't fully known, but it might mean "bald" or "red." Even before the castle, there might have been an important building there since Roman times.
A Literary Hint
In his novel La Dame de Monsoreau, Alexandre Dumas playfully suggests where the castle's name might come from:
Ah! My goodness, my lord the Duke of Anjou will wait. This man makes me curious. I suspect he is very special. I don't know why we have these ideas, you know, the first time we meet people I don't know why I think I'll have trouble leaving with him, and then this name, Monsoreau! – Mount of the mouse, Antraguet continued, this is the etymology: my old abbot learned me this morning: Mons Soricis.
—Alexandre Dumas, La Dame de Monsoreau (1846)
Castle's Story
Early Days
The first records of this place, then called Restis, are from the 6th century. In 990, Eudes, the First Count of Blois, turned it into a fortified castle. Then, in 1001, the Anjou region took control, and Foulques Nerra gave it to Gautier I of Montsoreau. Gautier I was from an important family in Anjou. This made Castrum Monsorelli one of the main fortified castles in the area. A town quickly grew around the castle. By the mid-1000s, it was known as a strong and busy place.
When the order of Fontevraud was started in 1101, Gautier de Montsoreau helped oversee Fontevraud Abbey. His stepmother, Hersende de Champagne, was one of the Abbey's first leaders and helped start it with Robert d'Arbrissel.
Later, Guillaume IV de Montsoreau supported Geoffrey Plantagenet against his brother, Henri II Plantagenet, who would become King of England. King Henry II attacked the castle in 1152 and captured Guillaume. But Guillaume IV later got his castle back.
The Montsoreau family line changed over time. In 1450, Louis II Chabot sold the castle to his brother-in-law, Jean II de Chambes. Jean II de Chambes was a very important person in the court of King Charles VII. He was a royal advisor and ambassador, even traveling to Venice in 1459. He used his wealth and influence to rebuild the castle.
Modern Times
From 1450 to 1460, while Jean II de Chambes was busy with his diplomatic work, the castle was being built. He was very close to King Charles VII. After 1461, he slowly retired from politics.
His son, Jean III de Chambes, took over in 1473. He married Marie de Chateaubriant, who later founded a church near the castle. The castle stayed in the Chambes family for many years.
In 1568, the castle was attacked and damaged. The town's defenses were also destroyed. Later, Charles de Chambes became Count of Montsoreau. He married Françoise de Maridor, whose name is linked to a famous murder story of the time.
Soldiers lived in the castle in the late 1500s. But during the time of Louis XIII, the king's chief minister, Richelieu, refused to send royal troops to guard it. One owner, René de Chambes, had to leave France and never returned. After his time, the castle was not often lived in by its owners.
Recent History
After 1804, the castle was sold and had many different owners. The building slowly fell into disrepair. By 1910, it was in very bad shape. People became concerned, and the local government started buying parts of the property from 1913 onwards. Restoration work began in 1923 and continued until Second World War.
More restoration work happened between 1997 and 2001. On July 6, 2001, the castle opened to visitors with a special light and sound show. About 35,000 people visited each year.
In June 2015, the local council rented the Château to Philippe Méaille. He created the Château de Montsoreau-Museum of Contemporary Art, which opened in April 2016. It shows his collection of artworks by the Art & Language group and hosts special exhibitions and talks.
Location and Surroundings
Where is it?
The Château de Montsoreau is located where the Loire and Vienne rivers meet. It's also at the point where three old French regions – Anjou, Poitou, and Touraine – come together. The castle is part of a special protected area called the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Nature Park.
The castle was built right into the Loire River bed, at the bottom of a hill. The local stone, called tufa, is still visible in many places. Many houses in the area are built from this stone, and some are even built into the hillsides or caves! The castle's location was thought to be very strong for defense, as it's between two small valleys on a high area with steep slopes.
Castle Design
What it Looks Like
Jean II de Chambes built the Château de Montsoreau in 1455. This building shows a change in castle design. It moved from being purely for military defense to also being a comfortable home. You can see this in its large windows, many fireplaces, and good sanitation for the time.
The main part of the castle was built right on the riverbanks. What's unusual is that two wings, shaped like square towers, were added a few years later. At that time, round towers were more common. This choice actually hinted at the style of buildings that would become popular much later.
The ground floor and cellars facing the courtyard allowed people to control river traffic on the Loire. One room even has direct access to the river! A grand spiral staircase leads to the main living areas on the first floor. This large room is very bright, with five windows, and is heated by two huge fireplaces.
Smaller rooms around the main living area show how spaces were starting to be divided for public and private use. In 1473, Jean III de Chambes added a beautiful Renaissance staircase tower. It has a unique palm-tree shaped ceiling and is decorated with carvings of people, animals, and the family's motto.
Montsoreau in Art
Paintings and Drawings
Joseph Mallord William Turner
In 1826, the famous painter William Turner visited the Loire River. He painted the Château de Montsoreau and the scenery around it. This beautiful watercolor painting is now kept in a museum in Oxford, England. An engraving of it was made in 1832, and a copy is at the Château de Montsoreau – Museum of Contemporary Art.
Auguste Rodin
The famous sculptor Auguste Rodin was fascinated by the castle's design. Around 1897, he drew an ideal view of its north side, showing its unique architecture.
Paul-Désiré Trouillebert
Paul-Désiré Trouillebert, a painter from the Barbizon school, also painted several landscapes of the Loire River that feature the Château de Montsoreau.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Montsoreau para niños
- Châteaux of the Loire Valley
- List of castles in France
