Château des Ducs de La Trémoille, Thouars, France

The Château des Ducs de La Trémoille (Castle of the Dukes of La Tremoille) was built in the 17th century. It is located on a strategic defense point, a promontory above the Thouet river, and consists of the main building, an inner court, an orangery, a chapel and a stable.

There has been castles on the site of château since 10th century. Gabrielle de Bourbon, wife of Louis II de La Trémoille ordered the construction of the chapel built between 1503 and 1509 which is still visible today. The chapel is of flamboyant gothic style for the lower part and influenced by Italian Renaissance for the upper gallery.

In 1619, Henri de La Trémoille married Marie de La Tour d'Auvergne. In the year 1628 the duchess and her intendent the sieur d'Iray oversaw the construction of a small pavilion. She then proceeded to order the building of the South pavilion for her apartments in the year 1635 and decided later to build a newer, more luxurious castle in place of the old one. The construction began in 1638. At the time it was one of the most important castles in France with its 110-meter long façade and its main courtyard (Cour d'honneur) surrounded by 70-metre long galleries. The south side contained the gardens and the orangery, outbuildings and an unfinished stable later complemented the site.

Today the palace is open to the public in summer season.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Lolo LOLO (2 years ago)
Visit during Heritage Day to the Castle and Chapel. Visit only on special days.

Christelle Doublet (2 years ago)
Top guided tour, very beautiful castle!

Nicolas L. (Nico.Laville) (2 years ago)
Very pretty building! A magnificent setting for a college!

Guillaume Piquer-Jonquière (5 years ago)
Magnificent castle, with its adjoining church, an absolutely admirable view of the surrounding area, the medieval bridge below. I invite you to go below, to the foot of the building to imagine its grandeur.

Taras Marchenko (5 years ago)
A very beautiful place, and fabulous views

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