A medieval town
in the Cher Valley
The fortress of Montrichard was built in the early 11th century by Fulk Nerra, on a man-made mound overlooking the entire Cher Valley. Later, Hugues I of Amboise expanded the fortress walls and added a keep inspired by Norman architecture.
In 1188, King Philip Augustus set fire to the fortress’s defensive towers in an effort to reclaim the town from English control. The towers collapsed, destroying most of the surrounding village, all except the Maison du Prêche, which still stands today as the oldest house in the medieval town of Montrichard.
In summer, the keep opens its doors to visitors. Climbing to the top is a real experience, offering total immersion thanks to the imposing architecture and an on-site virtual tour that brings its history to life.
In the 15th century,
King Louis XI had vast residences built at the foot of the keep, overlooking Sainte-Croix Church, a church named after a fragment of a cross brought back from Jerusalem by Fulk Nerra. The cross will stay in the château’s chapel until the mid-18th century. Today, you can still see the fortifications of the medieval town of Montrichard, including a 13th-century defensive tower and the remains of the moat.
A must-see
As you stroll through the streets and alleyways of the medieval town of Montrichard, don’t forget to look up and admire the half-timbered house façades dating from the second half of the 15th century. Protected by the bell tower, they survived the collapse of the royal lodgings onto the church and surrounding buildings. Inside one of these houses, a chimney is said to mark the visit of Anne of Brittany to Montrichard.
The Tourism Office is housed in one of these beautifully preserved half-timbered buildings.
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