Château de Champtocé, Champtocé-sur-Loire, France

Located on a promontory overlooking a tributary and an arm of the Loire, on the right bank, the Château de Champtocé is mentioned as early as the 11th century when the counts of Anjou controlled traffic on the river there. A first castellum was built there around 1075 and then it became a fortress at the beginning of the 14th century.

Strategic site between Anjou and Brittany, place of toll for bargemen, the castle subsequently experienced many changes of owners. However, it was already partially ruined during the Revolution.

Accessible via a gatehouse guarding a drawbridge and protected by gunboats, the castle was made up of eleven towers. Only one remains today, as well as a postern.

Today Château de Champtocé is a protected historical monument belonging to the community. It has been the subject since the 1990s of security and restoration work undertaken by an association of passionate volunteers.

References:

France Voyage

User Reviews

Eric Hajduch (14 months ago)
Super ruin well highlighted. To have! With a good restaurant next door.

Ana Maria Fernandez Rodriguez (14 months ago)
The castle is impressive, despite being in ruins, but even more its history.

Dimitry Landron (15 months ago)
This castle is in its own juice, needless to say that it is not maintained so no need to book, access is possible for all, it is possible to eat at the restaurant next door when the season is open, otherwise nothing to complain about the view is splendid.

Denis Rabouin (15 months ago)
Nice, place not visitable from the inside but when you appreciate the castles deteriorated by time it's worth stopping 5 minutes to read the signs.

Nicolas Hellfésteur (5 years ago)
Visited on the way back from Château Serrant. For living not far from the castle of Tiffauges I knew that Champtocé was one of the last 2 castles of Gilles de Rai shortly before his execution. There is not much left of it, it must be admitted, but there are some beautiful remains, ramparts, towers and the access bridge/drawbridge in relatively good condition. It is very surprising that no work is carried out there, if only to prevent the building from deteriorating even more than it already is... It does not take more than 15 minutes to go around it and all access to the interior is prohibited. So don't go there for the sole purpose of visiting the castle....

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