Château de Gonnord

Listed as a Historic Monument since 1926, discover the Château de Gonnord, an 11th-century castle where great figures have stayed: Charles IX, the Duke of Anjou and Henri de Navarre (future King Henri IV).

Already in place in the 11th century, the fortified castle of Gonnord was surrounded by a moat and a drawbridge. Over the centuries, it underwent a number of transformations.
In 1230, the castle was taken and razed to the ground by the English.
In 1575, Artus de Cossé undertook the reconstruction of the castle. It was visited by the Duke of Anjou on 15 and 16 February 1580, and by Henri IV in 1598.
In 1791, the Vendée Wars forced the de Cossé-Gonnord family into exile. The château was then left in the hands of servants and the steward. On 9 July 1790, a decree required the sale of national property, and Château de Gonnord became the property of the State.
During the 2nd half of the 19th century, the ruins of the castle were used as a stone quarry by a company, but this was not profitable. As a result, the eastern part of the castle was spared.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the castle underwent a facelift: its roof was restored and a bowls alley (Cercle Saint-Pierre) and an auditorium were built upstairs.
In 1926, the château was listed as a Historic Monument.
The banks of the pond and its 2-hectare park were also developed.

A place steeped in history, calm, relaxing and surrounded by nature, not to be missed during your visit to Valanjou!

Please note that only the grounds of Château de Gonnord are open to visitors!