About Château de Brissac
Discover the 'Giant of the Loire Valley'
Soaring dramatically above the idyllic countryside of the Anjou region, Château de Brissac holds the proud title of being the highest castle in France. With seven soaring floors, over 200 rooms, and monumental facade work that blends medieval stone towers with lush Baroque ornamentation, this grand château is unlike any other in the Loire Valley.
Stepping inside Château de Brissac feels like entering a living history museum. Remarkably, the castle has remained in the same family—the Cossé-Brissac family—since 1502. Today, the 14th Duke of Brissac and his family still reside within its monumental walls, giving the opulent interiors an exceptionally warm and authentic character. Visitors can marvel at magnificent tapestries, towering carved wooden ceilings covered in genuine leaf gold, fine antique furniture, and a surprising 200-seat 19th-century private opera house commissioned by the Marquise de Brissac.
Vast Grounds and Vineyards
Surrounding the fortress is a sweeping 70-hectare parkland featuring century-old trees, scenic walking trails along the Aubance River, and lush flower beds. The estate is also well known for its winemaking tradition; the château’s historic cellars produce delightful Anjou wines, which visitors can sample during their tour.
History
Centuries of Royal Intrigue and Architectural Evolution
The origins of Château de Brissac date back to the 11th century when Foulques Nerra, the Count of Anjou, erected a wooden fortress on the site. In the 15th century, Pierre de Brézé, a minister to King Charles VII, rebuilt the castle in solid stone, erecting the two imposing gothic towers that still flank the main entrance today.
In 1502, René de Cossé purchased the property, establishing the line of the Dukes of Brissac. During the French Wars of Religion, the structure suffered considerable damage. However, in 1611, Charles II de Cossé—a loyal supporter of King Henri IV who was awarded the title of Duke of Brissac—undertook an astonishing ambition to rebuild the castle into an immense palace. Although his grand plan was cut short by his death, leaving the old medieval towers partially merged with the towering grand facade, the resulting contrast created one of the most distinctive architectural marvels in Western Europe.
The Legend of the Green Lady
No visit to Château de Brissac is complete without hearing the tragic tale of La Dame Verte (The Green Lady). According to castle tradition, during the 15th century, Jacques de Brézé discovered his wife Charlotte of France (illegitimate daughter of King Charles VII) in the arms of another man and killed them both. It is said her restless spirit, dressed in her emerald green gown, haunts the upper rooms of the castle to this day.