chateau de brissac

Although we didn't really like the fact it was a guided tour in French we loved the extensive grounds and with the guide sheet the castle was really interesting.

We stopped to see Chateau de Brissac on the way from Saumur to Normandy. It was just perfect: we had such a wonderful tour guide who spoke perfect English and told us about the history of the Chateau and about its present owners. This chateau even has a theater: an Opera House built for Marchioness of Brissac who had a good voice herself. The grounds of the Chateau are gorgeous; they have their own 500 year old vineyard and a wine cellar where we purchased a couple of bottles of their whites and reds. Parking is available and is located close to the Chateau. The tours are guided only and run every 2 hours, if I am not wrong. Do not miss this amazing castle!

Upon arriving we were greeted by a very helpful girl, she understood our attempt at ordering tickets, asking us where we were from and informing us that that we could only gain access into the château by going on the guided tour, which was 1.15 - the only English one they did during the day. We wandered around the beautiful gardens and also visited the subterranean canal - very unusual and quirky. (apparently picnics are not permitted) not a problem for us as we visited the tearoom. It sold tarts, quiches and cake which was labelled in french and English. The girl serving us was very unfriendly and very unhelpful, we asked for tea, coffee and some pear tarts. She didn't offer us and milk, napkins or forks to eat our tarts with, only giving us teaspoons.(these items should have been given to us automatically) When asked for all this she pretended she had no idea what we were talking about! In the end we ate using our teaspoons as she was being so bloody rude! At the end of the day she's working in a cafe and should not think herself above anyone else! That said, our time arrived for our guided tour - the very friendly and enthusiastic girl started by telling us all about the history of the building etc...she was brilliant and we found it very interesting. There were a few children on the tour and as we visited different rooms she asked the children if they could see various things etc...so our 11 year old Son enjoyed it too. The château is beautiful and stunning and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit - shame about the sulky upstart in the tearoom!

The "veuve Clicquot" lived here! A very interesting castle with the possibility of a tour with an english speaking guide

we didn't expect much but it was a pleasent surpise. We were in time for the english tour of 1:15 pm. (just once a day, rest is just in French). i made a walk around the park, baby slept the whole walk because of the bumby rouds, so that was great. the tour was in sufficient english and well worth it. just go there, there is enough history and great stories. only downside was that we couldn't bring the buggy into the castle, so we had to carry our baby. o, and the cafe has great pies!

This is one of the best castles interesting to visit in the area with long history behind . The garden is beautiful

It is not so well known as others but it worths a visit. Nice location, gardens, etc.We combined this visit with another chateau (Chateau de Serrant) nearby.Also a good choice although we preferred Brissac

a nice castle to visit ,different of the others one . The visit with the guide is very interesting and after you can have a walk in a beautiful park

This is a 'mother' of a structure,towering over the low-lying fields and vineyards,its massive height accented by steep roofs and a forest of slender towers. To me,the classic facade sandwiched between two massive medieval towers speaks more splendidly of continuing ancestral domain,then any other chateau in the Loire. Everywhere,the carvings are astonishingly rich: coats of arms,military trophies,swags,garlands,cartouches. ( I think,i used up nearly my entire repertoire of architectural words,in that sentence). We walked around and viewed the chateau from the park before entering this most atmospheric 17th century structure,as complete as any around the globe. Sheer magnificence. Stone door- case carvings bear the coat of arms,regally. I liked the grand salon for its sumptuousness ,bearing huge armoires and richly sculpted and gilded with the Gobelin tapestries a stand-out attraction. Bedrooms,dining room and music room are beautiful with the ancient well-worn floors giving a wonderful feel of authenticity. The tour of Brissac had an unexpected climax.... the magnificent theatre on the second floor.... dont miss it!!.

Surrounded by the vineyards and large parkland, this 16th century castle was built by the first Lord of Brissac, Renee de Cosse.The façade with it's huge towers and fortified bases makes this the tallest castle in France. The castle contains it's own vineyard which makes fine Light Rose wine. The castle thru-out all those centuries always stayed in the same family. The current owner, the 13th Duke of Brissac along with his family resides in the castle.

Set in lovely parkland with cedar trees and a lake this is one to visit on a sunny day. The chateau is full of interest, it is one of the tallest, contains traces of a pre-existing castle, contains fine furniture and tapestries and, perhaps unusually an ?18th century theatre. Our group had an excellent english speaking guide who brought aspects of the chateau's history to life. We finished in the wine cellars and inevitable gift shop where local wine and other souvenirs could be purchased. The cafe was shut when we left.

Since the chateau is presently lived in by the 13th Duc De Brissac and his family, the only way to visit is with a guide. Our guide was very informative and enthusiastic in French mostly since most of our group was indeed French. He helped out when he could to questions posed in English as well.It's a rare privilege to be visiting a chateau that has current family photos in the salon. The rooms are furnished as if at any moment, the Marquis and Marquise de Brissac could walk to sit and read.The Grande Galerie has so much detail in the ceiling paintings that it would take a lifetime to familiarize oneself with them all. The dining hall with its numerous deer heads harken to a century ago when the room was decorated by the Duchesse d'Uzes with the trophies of her prodigeous appetite for hunting. The fine lady was also the owner of the first drivers licence by a woman in France.The theatre built by and for the operatic aspirations of the previous generation Marquise de Brissac, Jeanne Say, was beautifully preserved as it may have looked at the turn of the 20th century.It's one beautiful room after another with the tour ending with a tasting of the Chateau de Brissac wines. We bought a bottle of the very well made Rosé which we enjoyed later with our host at Clos Des Guyons in Puys-Notre-Dame. ;)As enjoyable as was our tour of the interior, the best for us was the stunningly beautiful grounds, flowers, bridges and streams. The chateau doesn't immediately reveal that it was frozen in time halfway between construction and demolition...a happy accident of history.I strongly recommend this chateau to people who love hunting and chasing down a unique prize among the Chateaux of the Loire.Don't forget to look for the flood control tunnels especially if you're there on a hot day.Apparently the rooms of the chateau may be available for rent but it's not within my budget.

Lodging in rolling vineyarded hills Chateau de Brissac is extraordinary. Not only has so much of the interior decor survived, but the whole 'tourist operation' is slick and a pleasure. This chateau is worth the detour. The tour guide, largely in French, was concise and informative. Children will adore the 'tunnel to nowhere' which is about 0.5K long: suitably scary. Thye history of the place comes alive.Its little cafe served wholesome fare and we of course purchased a small case of the chateau's own wine.

Around a decade or so ago we spent several holidays in this area,so when passing through we find time to re visit some of the old favorites and this is another one.Problem with the area is that there are so many great place's and the people are so damned friendly unlike some of the UK historic sites.Make this a "Must"

We went on the English-speaking tour of this fabulous chateau. It is a fascinating place to visit and is superbly furnished. The theatre is especially interesting. The guided tour was informative and clear. The grounds are good to walk around and have a picnic. The visit was well worth the money at only €10. There is a wine tasting session at the end of the tour, but we weren't particularly impressed with this. Afterwards it is worth the time to go and visit the village or have a walk along the river. Parking is easily accessible and there is a car park quite close to the chateau.