France’s Underrated Castle Hides Ancient Medieval Passages Underground
There are more than 40,000 castles in France. The Château de Versailles, the Château de Chenonceau and the Château de Chambord are the most famous in the country. Each receives more than a million visitors each year. But most castles only receive a small fraction. One of these hidden gems is the Château de Brézé. More people might visit it if they knew there was a fortress hidden underground.
The Château de Brézé is one of the oldest castles in the Loire Valley. The world-famous French wine region is also a goldmine for castle adventures. The structure was built between the 11th and 19th centuries. The original medieval fortress was rebuilt into a Renaissance castle, then a neo-Gothic one. A moat was added in the 15th century, a king visited in the 16th century, and German forces occupied it during World War II. It has been open to the public for almost 30 years.
This fascinating château, surrounded by vineyards, is located in Bellevigne-les-Châteaux, a small town outside Saumur in the Pays de la Loire region of western France. Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the closest major international airport. Here are frequent travelers’ best tips for navigating Europe’s largest and most stressful airport. You can then drive about four hours to Bellevigne-les-Châteaux or take the TGV, the French high-speed train, to Saumur. The castle is approximately 16 km from the station.
Read more: The so-called ‘tourist traps’ that Rick Steves loves
Visit to the Château de Brézé
Inside the dry moat of Château de Brézé, an 11th-century castle in Bellevigne-les-Châteaux in the Pays de la Loire region of western France – merchant.aurelie.9 / Facebook
As you approach Château de Brézé, it doesn’t seem that different from the other castles in the region. The Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is full of them after all. This is U-shaped with two towers at the end of each wing and columns lining the elaborate facade. As you get closer, you will see a drawbridge and moat surrounding the castle. It is dry now – and always has been – because the castle sits on porous rocks. However, these are the deepest dry moats in Europe.
Inside the castle, you can visit the bishop’s salon with its trompe-l’oeil woodwork, the Richelieu salon with its original 16th century furniture and the office with its sculpted ceiling. There is also a gallery, completed in modern times, which includes portraits of the families who owned the castle. Henri-Evrard de Dreux Brézé, Grand Master of Ceremonies of the first National Assembly of Louis XVI, is one of them.
A fortress lies beneath the castle. About 30 feet underground, there is a nearly mile-long maze of tunnels and rooms, hand-hewn into the rock. These vast fortifications include a defense system, stables, kitchens, a bakery, an icehouse, a pressing room and even a 17th-century silkworm factory, used to create clothing and tapestries for the French nobility. It could become an underground village if the castle was attacked.
Discover the castle park
The vineyards surrounding Château de Brézé, an 11th-century castle in Bellevigne-les-Châteaux in the Pays de la Loire region of western France – Daniel Viñé Garcia/Getty Images
As the chateau is surrounded by a nearly 25-acre vineyard, you should sample their estate wines during your visit. Château de Brézé is the Saumur-Champigny region, known for its Cabernet Francs. The château’s owners, the De Colbert family, produce Cabernet Franc, as well as Chenin Blanc, rosés and sparkling Crémants using only organic methods. Bees and birds live among the vines.
The Château de Brézé also houses a small farm. You can visit its friendly inhabitants, including a goat, a dwarf goat, two Vietnamese pigs and three Thônes and Marthod sheep. Tickets for a self-guided tour of Château de Brézé, including the castle and underground passages, cost approximately $16 per adult. They can be purchased online in advance.
Before you head out to see other must-see castles to visit on your next trip to France, you may want to stop for lunch or enjoy a glass of wine in Bellevigne-les-Châteaux. Le Breton Grognon is located a few steps from the castle. This casual spot serves pizza for lunch and dinner. A short drive away, another relaxing spot is Les Belles Caves. The all-day restaurant serves hearty, home-cooked meals. You can learn more about the region’s Cabernet Franc grape variety at Domaine de la Giraudière. It is the only product in this family cellar. Singularity is the key to this part of the Loire Valley.
Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter to access the world’s best-kept travel secrets. You can also add us as your preferred search source on Google.
Read the original article on Explore.
