Château de Langeais

Château de Langeais Review

Sometimes unjustly overlooked, the Château de Langeais—a castle in the true sense of the word—will particularly delight those who dream of lions rampant, knights in shining armor, and the chivalric days of yore. Built in the 1460s, bearing a massive portcullis and gate, and never altered, it has an interior noted for its superb collection of medieval and Renaissance furnishings—fireplaces, tapestries, chests, and beds—which would make Guinevere and Lancelot feel right at home. An hourly waxworks and video show tells the story of the secret dawn wedding of King Charles VIII with Anne of Brittany in the room where it took place in 1491. Outside, gardens nestle behind sturdy walls and battlements; kids will make a beeline for the playgrounds and tree house added in 2009. The town itself has other sites, including a Renaissance church tower, but chances are you won't want to move from the delightful outdoor cafés that face the castle entrance. Do follow the road a bit to the right (when looking at the entrance) to discover the charming historic houses grouped around a waterfall and canal.