Montrichard Le Cher2Montrichard Le Cher2
©Montrichard Le Cher2

Medieval town of Montrichard

Along the Cher, the medieval town of Montrichard completes the visit to the Loire chateaux by offering a trip back in time.

It benefits from an ideal location for a first visit of the day: just a 15-minute drive from the majestic Château de Chenonceau, the Royal Château d’Amboise and the medieval town of Saint-Aignan.

This authentic, 11th century town invites you into its medieval atmosphere to discover its famous keep, fortifications, cobbled streets, medieval historic heritage and a breathtaking view of the Cher valley .

 

The Keep

Built on a hill taken by Foulques Nerra on the Comtes de Blois estate, the keep’s role was to ensure the defence of the Comté d’Anjou and to watch over the crossroads between the ancient Roman road, which ran east/west, and the north/south road towards Compostela.

Retaken by Philippe-Auguste on the Plantagênets in 1188, the Comtes d’Amboise reinforced the fortifications of the keep with three successive surrounding walls between the 11th and 15th centuries.By order of Henri IV, during the troubles of the League, the keep was reduced by twelve feet ‘to the height of infamy’ in revenge.

 

In July and August, the keep comes to life again with a new evening show:

Montrichard 3001 the new age   

With more than 50 characters, you will dive into different eras, from the splendours of Antiquity to the swirling scenes of Cape and sword to a distant Future, and you will meet the illustrious characters of History.

Half-timbered houses

The half-timbered houses from the second half of the 15th century were protected by the bell tower and were saved when the royal accommodation collapsed onto the church and the neighbouring houses. A chimney breast in one of the houses shows the passage of Anne de Bretagne through Montrichard.

 

Maison de l’Ave Maria: (currently under restoration)

This house was constructed during the late 15th and early 16th centuries . According to tradition, it was the residence of the canons of Aigues Vives who served the chateau chapel (Eglise Sainte Croix). The corner post showing the Annunciation gave the house its name.

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