This Medieval French Castle Is Hiding Almost Two Miles Of Secret Tunnels (& You Can Visit Them)

France is house to a lot of Europe’s greatest medieval points of interest – there are a lot of explanation why France is the preferred vacationer vacation spot on this planet. The Château de Brézé is likely one of the extra outstanding medieval castles in Europe with a warren of hidden tunnels beneath. These tunnels are very completely different from the ossuaries or catacombs visitors can see under Paris.

The Château de Brézé is positioned within the Loire Valley of France and is a dry-moated fort. Different outstanding medieval points of interest to discover in France embrace the fairy-tale-like village of Saint Paul de Vence in Southern France and the iconic Le Mont Saint Michel – the “Wonder of the West” in France’s Normandy area.

The Unassuming Renaissance Fortress Of Château De Brézé

The Château de Brézé, as it’s seen in the present day, is constructed within the Renaissance model being been remodeled between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries. The previous fort that the tunnels had been constructed underneath was torn down, and the present Renaissance fort was constructed over the location. Throughout this time, the moat was additionally deepened to 60 ft (the excavated limestone was used within the building of the fort).

The fort itself is far older and nonetheless retains a few of its historical parts. The fort initially dates from 1060 – in the course of the instances of the Vikings (though the height of Viking raids in France was between round 830 and 911 AD).

One of many previous medieval options of the Château de Brézé to outlive the Renaissance-style reconstruction is an previous drawbridge.

Extremely, the fort stays the residence of the descendants of the traditional lords of the chateau.

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What To Know Of The In depth Tunnels Beneath Château De Brézé

The Château de Brézé is greatest recognized for its intensive cellars and tunnels. Appearances could be deceiving – on the surface, the fort is small by European requirements and solely spans lower than two acres. However hidden out of view beneath the fort is likely one of the largest medieval underground fortresses and networks of tunnels in Europe.

It’s thought that the cellars had been constructed to guard towards raids by the Vikings of the interval. The galleries and cellars underneath the fort are intensive – they lengthen for some 3 kilometers or 2 miles. Guests can discover about 1 kilometer or 0.6 miles of them.

The cellars embrace dwelling areas, bakeries, kitchens, stables for horses, storage areas, and extra which might be linked by miles of tunnels. The cellars had been constructed into the limestone bedrock. No marvel it’s generally described as a fort beneath a fort.

Entry to the underground is from throughout the moat. There have been even holes carved into the corridors in order that the defenders may shoot arrows at undesirable visitors. How efficient the underground protection of the fort would have been won’t ever be recognized. The fort was by no means besieged.

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What To Know About Visiting The Château Of Brézé

The Château of Brézé is likely one of the nice points of interest to find in France – not just for the present Renaissance fort but additionally for having one of many biggest medieval underground networks and deepest moats in Europe. Guests additionally get to see the most important recognized underground medieval bakery in France.

That is France, so naturally, the fort has its personal vineyard and its three previous wine presses are nonetheless working. The fort actually is a superb place to find the heritage of France outdoors of Paris and see why France has been so fashionable for therefore lengthy.

Control the castle’s calendar as they arrange many occasions in the course of the summer time and winter.

Lately the Château of Brézé is a personal monument and is visited by round 100,000 folks yearly. It stays the house of the depend and countess of Colbert. The fort is open from February 4 to December 31.

• Opening Hours: 9.30 am to six.00 pm
• Grownup Worth: €10.50 to €16.80
• Youngster Worth: €5.90 (aged 7 to 14 years previous)

Excursions are supplied in French and English, and there are audio guides are supplied in German, English, French, and Dutch. Most individuals spend about an hour visiting the Château of Brézé.

Whereas guests could not be capable to keep on the Château of Brézé, there are different castles in France providing lodging. One nice instance is the 1,000-year-old Château de la Flocellière which can be booked on Airbnb. Staying in a single day in a fort is likely one of the most rewarding issues folks can do whereas exploring the medieval historical past of the continent.

Over the English Channel in England, visit Warwick Castle and see a living castle with themed spooky dungeons for the children.