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Origin and history

The Château de Montoire-sur-le-Loir was built by the first lords of Montoire at the end of the 11th century, in a feudal context marked by territorial rivalries. Located at the borders of Blaisois and Perche, it became a strategic issue in the conflicts between France and England. In 1188 Richard the Lion's Heart seized during the war between Henry II of England and Philip Augustus, before failing in front of the nearby fortress of Lavardin. This castle, integrated in the county of Vendôme, illustrates the military and political importance of Montoire, promoted capital of Bas-Vendômois under Jean V de Vendôme.

In the Middle Ages, Montoire and his castle played a key role in local dynamics, especially after the division of the Comtal Land of Vendôme. The seigneury passed to the Bourbons, then to the Crown in 1712, before being erected as a marquisate in 1743 for Jean-Sébastien de Kerhoent, governor of Morlaix. The town, then called Montoire-Kerhoent, retains remains of its fortifications and dungeon, which are witnesses to its past influence. The Romanesque frescoes of the Saint-Gilles church, contemporary of the castle, also underline the religious importance of the place.

In modern times, the castle gradually falls into ruins, but its legacy persists through historical accounts and architectural remains. In the 19th century, Montoire became a shopping town, taking advantage of its position on the Loir to develop artisanal activities (tannery, knitted) and agricultural. The castle, though abandoned, remains a symbol of identity, classified as Historical Monument in 1862 for its emblematic ruins.

The 20th century marked a turning point with the interview with Montoire (24 October 1940), where Pétain and Hitler met in the local station, sealing the French collaboration. Although this event is not directly linked to the castle, it anchored Montoire in contemporary history. Today, the ruins of the castle, a communal property, recall a rich medieval heritage, supplemented by sites such as the Chapel of Saint-Gilles or the Museum of Encounters, dedicated to local history.

The castle is part of a landscape marked by the Loir valleys and an ancient human occupation, attested from the ninth century (Mons aureus). Its defensive architecture, typical of the 11th-14th centuries, reflects the power stakes of the era. Archaeological excavations and studies, such as those cited in the Gaule Archaeological Map, confirm its central role in regional history, between feudal conflicts and urban development.

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