About
Château du Plessis-Bourré is a 15th-century castle in Écuillé, in the Maine-et-Loire department of western France. It is also known as Plessis-Bourré Castle. The house was built for Jean Bourré, treasurer to King Louis XI, and it remains one of the region's notable examples of late medieval domestic architecture.
What to see
- The alchemical ceiling, the castle's best-known feature, which visitors come specifically to view.
- Well-preserved medieval architecture, which gives a clear sense of how a fortified residence of the period was arranged.
Planning your visit
The château suits anyone interested in French history, medieval building, or the decorative arts of the period. Because the ceiling is the main draw, it is worth giving the interior your attention rather than rushing through. For current opening times, prices and any guided visit arrangements, phone the château directly on +33 2 41 32 06 72 before you travel.
Écuillé is a small village, so the château is best reached by car. Combining it with other places in the Anjou countryside of Maine-et-Loire makes for a relaxed day out in the Loire valley, where many other castles and historic towns lie within reach.