Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Luynes found its origins in the 11th century as a defensive fortress, destroyed and rebuilt in the 12th century by the family of Maillé. This strategic site, overlooking the Loire, monitored river traffic and the valley. During the Hundred Years' War, he played a key military role under the seigneurs of Maillé, before passing by inheritance at the Laval-Montmorency in the 16th century, then being sold in 1619 to Charles d'Albert, ancestor of the Albert de Luynes family, still owner today.

The medieval structure was radically redesigned: in the 15th century, the towers were pierced with windows and a body of houses backed by the western enclosure, while a terraced courtyard replaced the south wall. In the 17th century, a pavilion was added to the back of the southeast tower. The castle, partially destroyed (the main house has disappeared), preserves defensive elements such as four cylindrical towers (two of them from the 13th century) and a turret of octagonal stairs of the 15th century. Ranked Historic Monument in 1926, it was briefly opened to the public (1996-2016) before closing for non-compliance with reception standards.

Architecturally, the castle illustrates the evolution of military and residential needs: the primitive arches gave way to sled windows, and the materials (stone, brick) reflect the periods of reconstruction. The south terrace, once protected by two small round towers (one of which remains), bears witness to the successive developments. Today, only the buildings supported by the west fortifications (15th century logis, 17th century pavilion) and the southeast tower remain, offering a panorama of the feudal and Renaissance history of the Touraine.

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