Best castles around Montbazon are situated in a region characterized by the Indre River and its surrounding greenery, within the historical Loire Valley. This area is known for its medieval heritage, including feudal architecture and ancient strongholds. The landscape features rocky promontories and river valleys, providing strategic locations for historical fortifications. Montbazon itself is a medieval town that offers insights into the region's past.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
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A lovely little town with a small chateau that's still privately owned. You can also book Les Mariniers du Jean Bricau and take a short trip on the Cher in traditional boats.
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A place empty of traffic, perfect for a short break in front of a magnificent building (be careful, the path which returns to the D84 is passable but you have to slalom between the holes)
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A charming little town nestled on the banks of the Indre, Montbazon stands out with its medieval character. Its small streets lead to shops of all kinds. The most remarkable remains the imposing fortress in the heart of the city, built from 991 and today accessible to the public. For pilgrims who frequent the Via Turonensis, a number of accommodations, including a campsite on the other side of the Indre, are available in Montbazon.
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Véretz and its 5,000 inhabitants constitute a small, quiet town on the banks of the Cher. A few shops enliven its town center. The “Château de Véretz”, rebuilt in the 19th century, dominates the Cher valley at the entrance to the village.
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This private castle is an ancient fortress of which only: the large medieval moat in its entirety and which forms 2 quadrilaterals and a 3-sided figure 5 cylindrical towers including the South-East tower pierced with circular loopholes called “couuvrine tower”. The current castle was built in several stages. The residential house which dates from the 16th century had its facades completely remodeled in 1856. Part of it disappeared at the beginning of the 20th century. To the South-West a main building covered with a 4-sloped roof and presenting stone casement windows on the ground floor had been joined by another building in 1731; these buildings were demolished in 1979
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Montbazon is a medieval town located on the banks of the Indre River and surrounded by greenery. Its historic center houses an impressive fortress that can be visited both in summer and during the holiday season.
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superb cycle path, sometimes gravel, often paved
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Boisbonnard is a fairly attractive ensemble and was extensively altered in 1856. This private castle is an old fortress of which only: - the wide medieval moats in their entirety and which form 2 quadrilaterals and a 3-sided figure - 5 cylindrical towers including the South-East tower pierced with circular loopholes called the “couleuvrine tower”. The surrounding walls disappeared, the eastern ones were pulled down in 1856. Access is controlled by 2 entrance towers, capped with pepper shakers, guarding the wooden footbridge which replaced the drawbridge. A portal with a curved pediment connects them. The enclosure demolished in the last century has retained 3 corner towers. The current castle was built in several stages. The residential building, which dates from the 16th century, had its facades completely redesigned in 1856. Part of it disappeared at the beginning of the 20th century. To the south-west, a main building covered with a 4-pitched roof and presenting stone windows on the ground floor had been lined with another building in 1731; these buildings were demolished in 1979. The outbuildings near the front door were built in Renaissance style around 1856 in place of the old farm buildings. Numerous renovation and restoration works have been carried out since 1994. During the cleaning of the moat an oak door was discovered under the water level. We can assume that there was an underground passage between the castle and the village church or to other undergrounds.
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The Montbazon Fortress stands out as one of France's oldest keeps, attributed to Fulk Nerra. It offers an immersive experience into medieval life with re-enactments, workshops, and demonstrations of combat techniques and trebuchet firing. Its strategic location on a rocky promontory overlooking the Indre valley showcases significant feudal architecture.
Yes, the Montbazon Fortress is particularly family-friendly. It features animated tours, medieval skits, crossbow shooting, old-fashioned games, and workshops like blacksmithing and calligraphy, designed to engage both children and adults in the Middle Ages.
Beyond the main fortress, you can discover other historical sites. Boisbonnard Castle, though private, is an ancient fortress notable for its wide medieval moats and five cylindrical towers. The settlement of Véretz features the Château de Véretz, a 19th-century reconstruction dominating the Cher valley.
The region around Montbazon offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous routes for mountain biking, touring cycling, and road cycling. For example, there are moderate MTB trails like 'At your pleasure – Montbazon Fortress loop' and 'Banks of the Indre River – Azay-le-Rideau Castle loop'. Cycling enthusiasts can explore routes such as 'Large loop south of Tours' or 'Cher Valley Greenway'. You can find more details and routes on the MTB Trails around Montbazon, Cycling around Montbazon, and Road Cycling Routes around Montbazon guide pages.
While specific hiking trails directly within the fortress grounds are not detailed, the surrounding Indre valley and the general area offer opportunities for walks and cycling. The 'At your pleasure – Montbazon Fortress loop' is a moderate MTB route that passes by the fortress, suggesting scenic paths in the vicinity. For more options, explore the MTB Trails around Montbazon guide.
The Montbazon Fortress can be visited both in summer and during the holiday season, suggesting it's open for an extended period. The interactive activities and re-enactments are often more prevalent during warmer months, making summer an ideal time for a lively historical experience.
The Montbazon Fortress offers opportunities to experience medieval cuisine. You can enjoy delicious 'fouées' (stuffed rolls) baked in a wood-fired oven, and during summer events, medieval banquets are sometimes held in the great banqueting room.
The guide mentions that the way to the castle/fortress is easy, and there is a small bicycle parking lot available. For car parking, it's advisable to check local signage or the official website for the most current information, as specific car parking details are not provided in the guide data.
Over its long history, the Château de Montbazon hosted several prestigious guests. Notable figures include King Charles VII, King Louis XI, Catherine de Medici, François II, and Mary Stuart, highlighting its significance in French history.
While not a 'hidden gem' in the traditional sense, the Château de Longue Plaine is described as a magnificent building in a place empty of traffic, perfect for a short break. It offers a quiet spot to appreciate historical architecture away from larger crowds.
The castles around Montbazon reflect the region's rich medieval heritage. They range from ancient keeps like the Montbazon Fortress, known for its feudal architecture, to private castles such as Boisbonnard Castle with its medieval moats, and rebuilt châteaux like the one in Véretz, which dominates the Cher valley.


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