Hours and prices
Opening periods and times 2023
April - May - June - September
10:00 - 12:00 / 14:00 - 18:00
July - August
10:00 - 13:00 / 14:00 - 18:30
1 October - 20 October (Except Tuesday)
14:00 - 18:00
21 Oct to 5 Nov (Except Tuesday)
10:00 - 12:00 / 14:00 - 18:00
26 December - 30 December (Except Tuesday)
14:00 - 17:00
Last ticket sold 30 minutes before closing time. No need to reserve in advance.
The visit of the castle is non-guided and documented. It lasts an average of 1 hour and 15 minutes with a 15-minute guided presentation.
A treasure hunt or an orientation course included in the entrance fee is offered to children.
Free visit of the castle and the exterior.
The amateurs can taste a,d take away the wines of the Domain.
Free visit of the castle and its exterior:
Adults: €12.00
Children aged 7-18: €7.50
Children under 7: Free
Family (2 adults + 2 paying children): 10% discount
Group rates for 15 people or more and school groups: reservation REQUIRED, contact us.
More information
The visit is open to people with disabilities under certain conditions of accessibility.
Access to the store and ticket office on the same level.
Access to the gardens on the same level.
Access to the medieval kitchen by two steps.
Access to the apartments by five steps.
Access to the ramparts, the canons' lodgings and the vaulted cellars by stairs.
Small parking lot and parking lot 50 meters from the ticket office.
Parking at 300 meters from the ticket office.
Pets are not allowed in the castle and gardens.
Your visit
Situated on a rocky promontory, the castle is reflected in the water mirror of the Thouet like an invitation to contemplation and poetic reverie.
A citadel on the banks of the Thouet
Before entering, you are surprised by the barbican and the imposing 600 meter long wall, flanked by towers, which develops into an impassable obstacle.
Even the 8th Count of Anjou, Geoffrey Plantagenet, never conquered the place despite his repeated attempts.
Today the impregnable fortress opens its doors and lowers the drawbridge to welcome you.
An imposing courtyard and romantic gardens
Passing under the vault of the châtelet, you reach the heart of the fortress where the emblematic medieval kitchen with a central fireplace designed to feed 400 soldiers is enthroned.
The ramparts offer a breathtaking view of the castle's diverse roofs and the surrounding vineyards. Further on, a romantic garden overlooks the waters of the Thouet.
In the main courtyard, you walk in the footsteps of the Kings of France who came to ensure the power and loyalty of their baron. You feel the ardor of the Duchess of Longueville, the rebellious cousin of Louis XIV and sister of the Grand Condé. You hear the suffering of the women imprisoned in the castle, who during the Terror died of typhus and mistreatment. You are told about the care given to the 1000 wounded of the Great War.
You can enjoy a moment of rest and wander freely on a path lined with illustrated panels for the use of adults and children.
Within its thousand-year-old fortifications, the refinement of the Renaissance has coiled up to offer an exceptional architectural testimony.
Unusual structures
Indeed, the 15th century brings a new way of life and new constructions inside the military enclosure.
The huge castle chapel was consecrated as the collegiate church of Notre Dame in 1484.
Four dwellings were built to house the canons appointed by the pope for religious services. Today, they house an exhibition of photographs of the symbolic sculptures adorning the ceilings of the new castle, a jewel of the Renaissance. The new castle, which rises to the sky, is supported by vaulted cellars, perfect examples of Anjou Gothic architecture, where the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Sacavin was born in 1904.
The seigniorial oven, arranged in two rooms, completes the luxury of the lords of Harcourt.
A castle inhabited and furnished
The interiors of the castle bear witness to the lives of its illustrious occupants.
Each piece of furniture, each object, refers you to a period of history: the marriage chest of Queen Margot with the future Henry IV in the great hall, the painting of the feats of arms of General Mouton, aide-de-camp of Napoleon I in the dining room, or the cabinet of secrets of the Duchess of Longueville, Baroness of Montreuil-Bellay, in her bedroom...
You continue in the music room where the Mazarin desk, designed by André-Charles Boule, is lit by a majestic Venetian chandelier. Take a detour to the sublime chapel, entirely painted by Copin Delf at the end of the 15th century, decorated with 16 angel musicians to the glory of the Virgin Mary and Christ the Redeemer.
As you leave by the main staircase, take a look to the west where our vineyard stretches out majestically.
You will find the best of its fruits at the reception, to taste and take away.
Come to see us
The castle of Montreuil-Bellay overlooks the town of Montreuil-Bellay, classified as a Petite Cité de Caractère and the most beautiful detours of France.
The castle of Montreuil-Bellay is located on the Itinerary of the Loire à Vélo, the Vélo Francette and the GR36.
GPS coordinates : 47,1331014, -0,1542817
→ ,View the itinerary on Google map
Distances :
Saumur : 15km
Angers : 50km
Tours : 80km
Poitiers : 80km
Le Mans : 100km
Nantes: 120km
Paris : 300km
How to come to the Castle:
On foot:
GR36 Stage of the Way of Saint James on the Plantagenets' way
By train:
From Paris: TGV to Tours or Angers then TER to Montreuil-Bellay.
From Nantes or Lyon: TGV to Saumur then TER to Montreuil-Bellay.
From Bordeaux and Poitiers : TGV to Tours then TER to Montreuil-Bellay.
TER bike accepted
By bike:
Itinerary of the Loire à Vélo
Itinerary of the Vélo Francette
Itinerary of the Thouet à Vélo
By plane:
Angers Marcé airport
Airport of Nantes Atlantiques
