The only Loire castle built on the riverbed, just where the river vienne flows into the Loire, the Château de Montsoreau is a wonderfully lively and distinctive château.
This sumptuous palace overlooking the shore has been completely renovated and was transformed into a Contemporary Art Museum in 2016.
Just 2h from Paris, in the heart of the Loire Valley, this world culture heritage site, covering more than 200 square meters, holds a unique Conceptual Art collection and a temporary exhibition area dedicated to the artists of today.
Its collection and its pioneering architecture make a committed place, set in present time and portraying a new reality.
From the year 1000 up to the middle of the 17th century, the story of the Château de Montsoreau was closely tied to the history of France. It was the first Renaissance castle built in the Loire Valley, constructed in 1450 by Jean II de Chambes, advisor to king Charles VII. The Château would soon welcome the greatest figures of the realm such as Marie Stuart, Anne de Bretagne, Claude de France, Henri IV or François I.
Its architecture expresses the whole luxury of Renaissance with its 45 casement windows, its 25 chimneys, its palm tree vault staircase and its exceptional 35 meters high terraces overlooking the river.
Nowadays, its permanent collection shows the works of the british, american and autralian group, Art&Language, from the middle of the 60's until today. Famous for their deliberately challenging personality, these artists create works destined to reconsider the visitor place, making him active in its creation. 50 works of art (paintings, installations, movies) that completely revolutionized the History of Art are presented in the form of a scenography itinerary.
Services :
Restaurant
With its terrace overlooking the Loire, the "cave à manger" Jean 2 offers slates of organic or local products served with natural wines.
Bookshop
In a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for discovery, the museum bookshop offers a wide book selection from specialist journals to books about Art, human sciences, philosophy or gastronomy.
Local
Eat and Drink
- CHATEAU DE MONTSOREAU - Montsoreau (0.0 miles) - The only château in the Loire Valley built in the riverbed itself, the Château de Montsoreau was c...
- FONTEVRAUD L'HÔTEL - Fontevraud l'Abbaye (2.4 miles) - Located on the border of the regions of Anjou, Touraine and Poitou, the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud is...
- Restaurant At'able! - Chinon (9.1 miles) - Le restaurant At'able ! à Chinon est synonyme de cuisine exigeante. Dans un cadre agréable, lu...
- CREPERIE RESTAURANT LA BLANCHE HERMINE - LANGEAIS (17.8 miles) - Située au cœur de la ville, adossée au Château, de la terrasse vue imprenable sur le Château et...
See and Do
- CHATEAU DE MONTSOREAU Montsoreau (0.0 miles) - The only château in the Loire Valley built in the riverbed itself, the Château de Montsoreau was c...
- Château de Montsoreau Montsoreau (0.0 miles) - The only Loire castle built on the riverbed, just where the river vienne flows into the Loire, the C...
- le tasting room - Loire valley wine tours & day trips from Paris St Georges des Sept Voies (18.7 miles) - Nigel and Cathy Henton are British wine professionals who moved to the Loire 10 years ago. They welc...
