Montreuil-Bellay ten miles south of Saumur overlooking the river Thouet, is a town that retains almost all of its medieval walls, making it one of the last fortified towns of the Anjou region. It is well worth a visit as it still retains its medieval feel.Its strategic location on the borders of Anjou, Touraine and Poitou allowed the town to grow and have an important regional administrative function (subsequently transferred to Saumur) before the French Revolution, this accounts for the number of fine houses in the town. The earliest fortifications date back to the 11^th century.

The current chateaux was added later, its fortified gateway leads to a 15^th century house which is worth a wonder round with the ancient wine cellars the highlight - no photographs can be taken inside the building.

 

It is a pleasurable walk through the gardens down to the river and there are some great views from the chateau.

 

 

 

There is a good choice of restaurants by the chateau and the river.   You will also find by the river "Promenade J.R.R.Tolkien" which has given rise to the stories of Montreuil-Bellay once being a holiday home of the writer and the chateau and its surroundings being inspirational in forming some of his literal locations.

During the French Revolution the castle was seized by the revolutionary government and used as a prison for women suspected of being royalists. In 1860 the daughter of Saumur businessman Adrien Niveleau,(who had bought it in 1822) undertook occupancy and set about a major restoration campaign, redoing some of the rooms in the Troubadour style. Descendants of her husband's nephew are the current owners of the property.
 

The town has on open-air swimming pool open during May-September. There is a market

Château Montreuil-Bellay is also the name of a fine wine of the area