The Château of the barons of Vitré

Vitré château

In around 1060, baron Robert I decided to have the château built on this rocky shale outcrop overlooking the Vilaine river to the north. Later, during the first half of the 13th century, baron André III built a new triangular château, which still stands today: a fortress of towers connected by defensive walls. In the late 14th and early 15th century, Guy XII and his wife Jeanne de Laval Châtillon made many changes. They elevated the entrance châtelet, thus creating a porch dwelling fit for feudal lords, redesigned the Saint Laurent tower, added a complex underground defence system and built the Madeleine tower. The château’s forecourt and the seigniorial collegiate church, which have not survived, are known about from a plan drafted by the royal architect, Dehuz, dating back to before 1738. At that time the forecourt was closed off by the stables to the east, the coach houses to the south, and the Madeleine collegiate church to the north. This church was directly linked to the Madeleine tower via a wooden footbridge crossing the moat. Opening times: Château museum (Low season: 1 October to 31 March). From 10.30 am to 12.15 pm and from 2 pm to 5.30 pm. Open daily except Tuesdays and Sunday mornings. (High season: 1 April to 30 September). From 10.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 2 pm to 6.30 pm. Open daily.