Château de la Hunaudaye

Plédéliac, France

The Château de la Hunaudaye was built by Olivier Tournemine around 1220. In that time, this castle protected the eastern border of the Penthièvre (Lamballe’s area), which was involved in a feud with the Poudouvre (Dinan’s area).

The castle was destroyed in 1341, during the war of Brittany Succession, a civil war that ravaged the Brittany dukedom during two decades. At the end of the 14th century, Pierre Tournemine started the reconstruction of the castle according to the latest military innovations, the three bigger towers and the dwellings were built in that period.

At the end of the 15th century, the Tournemine family became powerful within Brittany dukedom. By the 16th century, their seigneury represented more than 80 parishes. In addition, they owned various other lands, seigneuries and castles in the Tregor area and also others in the vicinity of Nantes.

The golden age of the castle began in the early 17th century, as the Tournemine family gently faded away. The Renaissance stairs of the western dwelling are the last elements built and the medieval castle was fitted to the new architectural standards. However, decline is on the way. The castle becomes less maintained. The lands and seigneuries are gradually sold out and the weeds begin to grow.

The castle was raided and torched during the French Revolution. By the 19th century, people used the castle as a quarry for stone and thus many of its buildings disappeared. The northern part of the castle collapsed in 1922. It was that, the French government immediatly tried to save the castle by classing it as a historical monument and by buying it out in 1930.

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Address

D28A, Plédéliac, France
See all sites in Plédéliac

Details

Founded: c. 1220
Category: Castles and fortifications in France
Historical period: Late Capetians (France)

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

jaroslav vorac (2 years ago)
Great medieval castle, beautiful nature. Beautiful architecture and well preserved. You can choose between a guided visit or a self guided visit with a booklet.
Nedercup (2 years ago)
Its a beautiful ruin of a castle that dates back to the 13 century. The ambiance is very relaxed. The information about the castle is available in many languages. The inner courtyard is a very nice place to relax. They even supply costumes for the kids while visiting.
Carol Ramsell (2 years ago)
Lovely place with drawbridge intact! Good picnic areas as well...overlooking either the lake and moat or marvellous open land with trees and many birds of prey ??
Andrei (4 years ago)
A medieval castle with tall walls, a moat, a draw bridge and the layout of the old buildings. The place just oozes magic. It's also placed at the edge of an amazing forest in gorgous rural Brittany.
Melinda Popioco (4 years ago)
Spectacular it was a very very old castle and you can still trace where their kitchen is and i think it was built 800 ago partially slowly until some war came over.
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