On a high terrace on the Loire's north bank in the middle of LANGEAIS, the forbidding Château de Langeais (daily: April to mid-July, Sept & Oct 9.30am–6.30pm; mid-July to Aug 9.30am–8pm; Nov–March 10am–5.30pm; €6.50) was built to stop any incursions up the Loire by the Bretons. This threat ended with the marriage of Charles VIII and Duchess Anne of Brittany in 1491, which was celebrated in the castle, and a diptych of the couple portrays them looking less than joyous at their union – Anne had little choice in giving up her independence. The event is also recreated in waxworks in the chapel.Few châteaux have such a good collection of furnishings, and the ones here are mostly fifteenth century, to match the building. There are fascinating tapestries, some rare paintings, cots and beds, a number of chaires, or seigneurial chairs, and in the huge marriage chamber, the gilded and bejewelled wedding coffer of Charles and Anne, carved with a miniature scene of the Annunciation and figures of the apostles, the wise and foolish virgins depicted on the lid. Langeais has a pleasant hotel, the Errard-Hosten, 2 rue Gambetta (tel 02.47.96.82.12, [email protected]; €40–70), with a good but expensive restaurant.
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