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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Château des Ponts-de-Cé is a medieval fortress built around 850 during the reign of Charles II le Chauve, grandson of Charlemagne, to counter Norman invasions dating back to the Loire. Its strategic location, already used by the Romans, made it a key defence against looting. The original structure, probably made of wood, was rebuilt in stone in the 10th century, marking its lasting military importance.

In 1206 King Philippe Auguste ordered the destruction of the castle to prevent its use by the English. Partially restored in 1230, it retained only the bases of two turrets. The monument was later enlarged by King René d'Anjou in the 15th century, becoming his favourite secondary residence in 1440. It was in this context that he established the traditional festivities of the Bath of Girls, still celebrated today.

The dungeon, the only vestige today, was the scene of a confrontation in 1620 between Marie de Medici and her son Louis XIII. Sold as a national asset after the Revolution, the castle changed hands several times: Victor Hugo planned to acquire it in 1830. Between 1851 and 1959, it will house the local gendarmerie and then municipal services. Ranked a historic monument in 1862, it has been home to the Museum of Hair and Traditions since 1973, presenting a unique collection of more than 500 regional and international haircuts.

The restoration of the castle, conducted in 2002 by volunteers of the association Building History and Medieval Architecture, has preserved this emblematic heritage of Anjou. Today, the site combines military history, royal heritage and popular traditions, offering a multidimensional testimony of the Ligerian past.

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