Château de la Haute-Guerche, Val-du-Layon, France

The Château de la Haute-Guerche is located in the ancient village of Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné, now part of the municipality of Val du Layon. It was built in the 13th and 15th centuries. Having belonged to the Savonnière family and then to the Lords of Jumellière, the castle was burnt down in 1793 during the repression of the Chouans and Vendée uprisings. Sold as national property, transformed into a stone quarry and then into a farm, it was not until the 20th century that the whole was preserved as much as possible.

Originally equipped with a house overlooking the Layon and a courtyard with four towers as well as an enclosure with a walkway lined with watchtowers, the fortress is still in the state of vestiges. However, its chapel and the guardhouse building have been restored.

The whole remains imposing and the silhouette of the domain does not lack character in the middle of the hillsides and vineyards dominating the valley.

Open weekends in May, June and September and every day in July and August, as well as by appointment the rest of the year.

References:

France Voyage

User Reviews

Tara Schellenberg (16 months ago)
We visited the castle today and were treated to a personal tour by the owner Madame Marie. She shared the history of the castle and showed us a handmade reconstruction of what it would have looked like in the past. She also showed us some of her personal artwork. Wonderful stop!! Cost to visit is 5 euros (cash only)

Lb Bl (5 years ago)
Nice visit to a 12th century feudal castle (finally some leftovers ?) by the owner. Lost between the vines, near the Layon stream. you will be very well received, ready for a little visit steeped in history. A beautiful and relaxing setting with a superb panorama. thanks again

Josèphe (5 years ago)
Nice interesting visit. Welcoming owner who fights to keep this place standing. Peaceful place, steeped in history that makes us miss the time of "Masterpieces in Peril" when everything seemed possible. Nice stop anyway!

Russell Talbot (5 years ago)
Personal guided tour by the owner, a great romantic ruin.

Jon Short (6 years ago)
Only open in July and August, not commercialised at all, no café, gift shop, facilities or souvenirs. They give individual guided tours when you turn up. In short it was brilliant!

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright CONTROTONO

Historic Site of the week

Clementinum

The Clementinum is a historic complex of buildings in Prague. Until recently the complex hosted the National, University and Technical libraries, the City Library also being located nearby on Mariánské Náměstí. The Technical library and the Municipal library have moved to the Prague National Technical Library at Technická 6 since 2009. It is currently in use as the National Library of the Czech Republic.

Its history dates from the existence of a chapel dedicated to Saint Clement in the 11th century. A Dominican monastery was founded in the medieval period, which was transformed in 1556 to a Jesuit college. In 1622 the Jesuits transferred the library of Charles University to the Klementinum, and the college was merged with the University in 1654. The Jesuits remained until 1773, when the Klementinum was established as an observatory, library, and university by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.

Château de la Haute-Guerche

Address

Details

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Clementinum