Château de Châteaubriant
| Château de Châteaubriant | |
|---|---|
| Châteaubriant, France | |
The Renaissance facade on the moat.
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| Coordinates | 47°43′12″N 1°22′23″W / 47.72°N 1.373°WCoordinates: 47°43′12″N 1°22′23″W / 47.72°N 1.373°W |
| Type | Castle, stately home |
| Site information | |
| Owner | General council of Loire-Atlantique |
| Open to the public |
Limited |
| Condition | Mostly intact |
| Site history | |
| Built | 11th-16th century |
| Built by | Brient Ist of Châteaubriant |
| Materials | Sandstone, shale |
The Château de Châteaubriant is a medieval castle strongly modified during the Renaissance, located in the commune of Châteaubriant in the Loire-Atlantique département of France. The original castle was founded in the 11th century on the eastern border of Brittany and, such as the fortresses in Vitré, Fougères, Ancenis and Clisson, it was defending the duchy against Anjou and the Kingdom of France.
The castle was renovated several times during the Middle Ages and the town of Châteaubriant developed at its side. During the Mad War, the castle was seized by the French after a siege. The keep and the halls, partially destroyed, were renovated in the flamboyant style. Eventually, during the 16th century, the château obtained its definitive appearance when the new Renaissance palace was built against the medieval enceinte.
After the French Revolution, the château was sold and divided several times, and was finally transformed into an administrative centre, with the seat of the sous-préfecture, a court and a police station. All these offices closed down after 1970, and nowadays the château is partly opened to visitors.
The château is located between the Châteaubriant-Rennes railway on the east and the old town centre on the west. To the north, it is bordered by the river Chère which forms a natural moat, and on the south by a wide square, the place Charles-de-Gaulle.
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