Secret castles of South Touraine

Château de Saint Germain

This privately-owned castle with its white rose garden is quiet harmonious, even though its construction spanned several different periods. What remains of the castle is the 11th-century square-shaped keep, featuring machicolations. Climb to the top to get a bird's eye view over the Indre Valley and the village of Saint Germain… Worth visiting: a room where visitors can admire the ceiling constructed  like an inverted ship’s hull.

www.chateaudestgermain.com

Château de  Bridoré

Built in the 1400, the 30-metre-high keep, is one of the highest vantage points in South Touraine. Bridoré castle is an example of military architecture with a defense system that is unique in France. It played a key role in the Hundred Years' War and welcomed three kings of France: Charles VII, Charles VIII and Francis I.

Worth a mention: its caponiers, which inspired Vauban.

www.chateaudebridore.com

Betz-le-Château

Founded as early as 1037 this site has a square tower, which is accessible via an original 15th-century staircase. The guard room is home to the dungeons! With its underground galleries, its watchtower and its machicolations, it's a prime example of a medieval castle and warfare techniques.

It also boasts underground hideaways set along a 250 m troglodyte maze.

www.souterrainsdebetzlechateau.com

+33 671 03 95 39

Château de Boussay

Surrounded by a moat, this castle appears to stand on an island, unfortunately the castle is not open to the public, however visitors are welcome to stroll around the 6 hectares of parkland to view the majestic castle from various angles: its 15th-century square tower, 17th-century central part as well as its 17th-18th-century east wing.

Château de Rouvray

This elegant, privately-owned castle features a Renaissance gatehouse adorned with two turrets. Behind the gatehouse is a beautiful 12th-century medieval fortress, with two of its three corner towers still preserved. Rouvray castle was rebuilt during the 14th century, an octagonal tower was added in the 15th century, and the handsome fortified gateway, during the 16th century. Only the 3.5-hectare park is open to the public.

Château de La Guerche

www.chateaudelaguerche.com

Château du Châtelier

Château du Châtelier is surrounded by a moat and built on a rocky outcrop dominating the countryside.  The site is completely fortified with an interesting 25 metre circular keep known as a ‘beak’. The stately home and hexagonal tower were added at the end of the 15th century. Building continued to evolve up until the early 17th century. Restoration of the site began in the 1960s.

Worth visiting: the "Grange des Protestants" (Protestants' Barn), one of the first places where Protestants could worship, featuring a ceiling constructed like an inverted ship's hull frame. 

Château de Grillemont

Grillemont castle suddenly appears like something out of a fairy tale, in the heart of a beautiful forest. It was founded in 1050 and was owned by many families over several centuries until 1470. Renovation in the 18th century began after 1739. Three towers and the curtain walls remain from the original fortress. In 1850, the castle was restored and adorned with Italian furnishings. The entrance hall with its wrought-iron banister, the music room and two 19th-century rooms are worth a visit.

www.chateau-de-grillemont.com