Château de Brissac

The Château de Brissac, at Brissac-Quincé in the Maine-et-Loire department, is renowned as the tallest château in France, rising to seven storeys. A medieval castle stood on the site before the present structure took shape; from the early 17th century, Charles II de Cossé, Duke of Brissac, undertook an ambitious rebuilding that left the château with its striking, somewhat asymmetrical form, as older towers were incorporated into the grander new design. It has remained associated with the Cossé-Brissac family for centuries and retains richly furnished interiors, tapestries and a private theatre.

Brissac is often linked in popular lore to a so-called "Green Lady," a story typical of grand ancestral homes. Such tales are anecdotal and subjective, part of the château's romantic reputation rather than verified fact, and are best enjoyed as folklore woven around a long family history.

Beyond the legends, Brissac offers genuine architectural and cultural interest: an unusually tall and ornate château that reflects the ambitions of its 17th-century builders, surrounded by parkland and vineyards. It stands as a notable example of a still-inhabited French aristocratic residence open to visitors.

The château is open to the public seasonally, typically from spring through autumn, with guided or self-guided tours of the furnished apartments, grand rooms and theatre, plus grounds to explore. As a privately owned and still-occupied residence, access is via ticketed visits during published opening periods.

Visitors should check the official website for current dates, hours and tour options before travelling, as opening varies by season, and should respect the property as a family home as well as a visitor attraction.