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Fougères-sur-Bièvre Castle A fortress of terroir

Fougères stands out from the great châteaux of the Loire Valley for its sober, powerful architecture, a blend of Middle Ages and Renaissance.

The walls of the Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre are made of hard Beauce limestone rubble, while a softer, whiter stone, tuffeau from the banks of the Cher, is used for the molded or sculpted parts.

The castle is built on the model of medieval castles, with a central square building, the keep, and four towers at each corner. Inside the keep, there are five habitable levels built on the same model: four square apartments and four apartments in the round towers per level.

The double staircase is at the center of the building, giving access to the second floor (historical apartments), the second floor (dedicated to hunting and wildlife art) and the large terrace, before being crowned by the lantern tower and the fleur-de-lis, symbol of the French monarchy.

A little history...

In 1030, the seigneury of Fougères belonged to a vassal of the Count of Blois. During the Hundred Years’ War, the castle fell into the hands of the English, who abandoned it in ruins in 1429.

In 1470, Pierre de Refuge, advisor to Prince Charles d’Orléans and treasurer to King Louis XI, turned the castle into a small fortress. Around 1510/1520, Jean de Villebresme, grandson of Pierre de Refuge, modified the château by adding Renaissance-style decorations and a covered gallery.

In 1789, the château was acquired by René Lambot, owner of the neighboring château de Boissay, who set up a spinning mill here from 1812 to 1901. Classified as a historic monument in 1912, the building became state property in 1932.

Château de Fougères resembles a small fortified castle of the late Middle Ages, distinguished from the great châteaux of the Loire Valley by its lack of ostentation, despite Renaissance embellishments.

Practical info 

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