Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Old Château de Saint-Michel-sur-Loire is a 15th century building located on a barred spur overlooking the Loire, close to the Château de Planchoury. Its nickname "Old Castle" comes from this geographical proximity. The estate successively belonged to historical figures such as Yolande d'Aragon, Queen of Naples, who gave it to John IV of Bueil, then to the family of Espinay, before being acquired by Charles d'Albert, Duke of Luynes. These changes in ownership reflect its strategic and social importance throughout the centuries.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Senator Germain became the owner and partially changed the structure, adding an east wing of a neo-Gothic style adjacent to the original châtelet. Today, few elements of the 15th century remain: the châtelet with its spiral staircase, a gable barn, the foundations of a square tower and vestiges of the enclosure wall. A poterne always protects access to the lower stairway, while a vaulted underground corridor leads to an unknown use room. The storm of 1999 damaged part of the walls, revealing their fragility in the face of the weather.

The castle has been partially classified as a Historic Monument since 18 April 1973, with protection limited to the façades and roofs of the castle. Its official address, 2 Route de Langeais, is located in the commune of Saint-Michel-sur-Loire (Indre-et-Loire), although some sources also mention Coteaux-sur-Loire after territorial reorganizations. The current remains offer an overview of medieval defensive architecture, although subsequent transformations have altered its original appearance.

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