Château du Plessis

The Château du Plessis is situated in the commune of Écuillé, in the Maine-et-Loire department of France.

History

• Built in less than 5 years from 1468 to 1472 by Finance Minister Jean Bourré, the principal advisor to King Louis XI. The château has not been modified externally since its construction and still has a fully working drawbridge.
• It was classified as a Monument historique in 1931.

The château was once owned by La Maison De Nuchèze. Jacques de Nuchèze, the fourth child of Guillaume de Nuchèze IV Seigneur de Baudiment, des Francs, de Brain, de Chincé & de Batrisse, died after 1486 and married Catherine des Francs whose parents were Louis des Francs, Seigneur des Francs & Bartholomée de Torve. Jacques de Nuchèze then married Françoise d'Anlezy and had a child called Jean De Nuchèze, Seigneur du Plessis.

In 1911, the château was purchased by Henry Vaïsse who, when he died in 1956, bequeathed it to his nephew, François Reille-Soult, Duke of Dalmatie. In 1978, Antoinette de Ferrières de Sauvebœuf and her spouse Bruno de Ferrières de Sauvebœuf took the responsibility of heading the renovation and maintenance of the château until 2009.

Since 2010, it has been inhabited by descendants of François Reille-Soult of Dalmatie and managed by Aymeric d'Anthenaise and Jean-François Reille-Soult de Dalmatie.

Architecture

The Château du Plessis-Bourré is a medieval castle with a fully working drawbridge. It has not been modified externally since its construction in 1468-1472, making it one of the few castles in France to have retained its original architecture.

Notable Features and Rooms

• The château still features its original drawbridge.
• The interior of the castle has been preserved with many of its original furnishings and decorations intact.

The Château du Plessis-Bourré is currently inhabited by descendants of François Reille-Soult of Dalmatie and managed by Aymeric d'Anthenaise and Jean-François Reille-Soult de Dalmatie. The château has been used for various events and film productions, including several notable films.

Heritage Status

The Château du Plessis-Bourré was classified as a Monument historique in 1931, recognizing its historical significance and architectural importance.

Visiting Information

• Address: D 167
• Location: Écuillé, Maine-et-Loire department, France