History
Foulques Nerra, Count of Anjou, strategically built a wooden Keep on a rocky spur overlooking the River Cher around 1010, which played a crucial role in his fight against the Count of Blois, Eudes II. This wooden Keep would evolve into the Château de Montrichard.
Foulques Nerra's reputation as one of the great medieval castle builders was solidified by his creation of around 100 castles throughout the Loire Valley.
In 1109, Hugh I of Amboise seized the castle, built a four-level stone Keep, and added a second wall to reinforce it further. The English subsequently took the castle in 1155, and in 1188, Philip II Augustus, King of France, besieged and partially destroyed it. A third Rampart wall was built in 1250.
On September 6th, 1356, during the Hundred Years' War, the English attacked the castle under the Black Prince's command.
In the 15th century, King Louis XI built a large royal residence at the foot of the Keep, overlooking the Sainte Croix church. The sovereigns stayed in this residence until the time of Louis XIII. The Royal residence buildings collapsed in 1753. The 15th century also saw the addition of a round tower at the southeast corner of the Keep. This was destroyed by French Artillery in 1940.
In 1589, King Henri IV ordered that the height of the Keep, or Donjon, be reduced by 4 meters (12 feet) after it had fallen into the hands of the Catholic League.
In 1877, the castle was listed as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture.
Between 2022 and 2024, restoration work was conducted on the Keep, CARRÉ Tower, as well as the rampart walls, and buttresses.
Castle Highlights
The Keep is the most impressive part of Château de Montrichard. It provides a scenic and strategic view of the Cher Valley and the River Cher, which flows nearby.
Below the Keep is the Church of Église Ste-Croix (Sainte Croix church), originally the castle chapel.
The Château de Montrichard can easily be explored in an hour or two. A visit should be combined with a visit to the nearby Château de Chenonceau, and the day should start at Chenonceau when it opens.
