Château du Plessis-Macé

The origins of the Château du Plessis-Macé date back to the 11th century, when a wooden fortress stood on this site to defend Anjou. This was soon replaced by a stone castle, which was destroyed in the 14th century. After a century of disuse, the Beaumont family acquired the estate in 1427. From 1450, Louis de Beaumont and his son Thibaut began rebuilding on the old foundations. The new slate walls, 2.20 to 2.50 meters thick, still form the core of the complex today. The castle was expanded with enlarged moats and an artillery rampart, becoming an important border post that protected Angers from attacks. After more than 40 years in the service of the French kings, Louis de Beaumont retired and began transforming the castle into a country estate. He had the curtain wall repaired, towers raised and fitted with conical roofs, and a stair tower added. A new keep was built on the site of the old motte. The Gothic chapel, consecrated in 1472, was dedicated to Archangel Michael and houses rare openwork paneling. Two opposing tuff stone balconies, one of them particularly splendid on the manor house, were added. Two 15th-century gates, the Porte des Champs and the Porte de la Ville, led into an extensive park and directly into the village, respectively. In the 16th and early 17th centuries, the du Bellay family owned the castle, hosting high-ranking guests such as Francis I and Henry IV. An inventory from 1627 describes the rich furnishings of the rooms, while the castle's military significance had already greatly diminished by this time.

The castle is located in Le Plessis-Macé, a commune in the Maine-et-Loire department in the Pays de la Loire region of France, at an altitude of approximately 78 meters above sea level.

Today, the Château du Plessis-Macé is used by local authorities and is accessible to visitors who can admire its historic architecture and preserved details.

• Château du Plessis-Bourré (castle), approx. 11.7 km away
• Château des Ponts-de-Cé (castle), approx. 17.5 km away
• Château de l'Escoublère (castle), approx. 24.6 km away
• Château de la Haute-Guerche (castle), approx. 24.7 km away