And back on my local road warrior mode, this time going south to old Brittany in the Loire Atlantique dept 44 of the new Pays de la Loire region. A wonderful coastal trip of my belle France just south of me with plenty of architecture, history, and beaches, Let me tell you about the Château of Pornic !! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The town is part of historic Brittany, in the traditional country of the country of Retz and in the historic country of the Nantes. Located on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, the city is known for its castle and old port. Pornic is located on the coast of Jade, on the banks of the Baie de Bourgneuf, 45 km from Nantes ,20 km from Saint-Nazaire and 143 km from my house. The Pays de Retz or country of Retz extends to the department of Loire-Atlantique 44. It is one of the traditional countries of Brittany of the Ancien Régime (monarchy), erected as barony then as a duchy. The country of Retz was the stronghold of the different families of the lords of Retz, most of whom were not Breton, and who have followed families since the 11C, The Pays de Retz was one of the main fiefs of Gilles Retz, companion in arms of Jeanne d’Arc and Maréchal de France. It was also the stronghold of the Gondi family, of Italian origin, located in France under the regency of Catherine de Médicis in the 16C, and for whom it became duchy. It was still one of the main places of deployment of the Vendée wars during the French revolution. The country of Retz is currently made up of 40 towns, therefore, Villeneuve-en-Retz, composed of the old town of Bourgneuf-en-Retz, itself encompassing the ancient village of Saint-Cyr-en-Retz, and the old town of Fresnay-en-Retz, Also, La Bernerie en Retz, Pornic and Préfailles,(see posts).
The Château de Pornic was built from the 13C to the 15C, modified in the 19C. The oldest part is the North Tower, which is surmounted by machicoulis. Buildings in the center of the fortress were modified in the 15C, a period at which the southern tower was built. A primitive castle is built in the 10C by Alain Barbe-Torte. Then, over the years, it was abandoned. The castle is surrounded by water and its access is then made by a bridge that today replaced a fixed bridge. It was revised in the 19C in the Viollet-le-Duc style. The northern tower is the oldest of the castle. The southern tower dates from the 15C. It was bought by the town in 1824,Robert de Voguë’s family, current owner, has been in Pornic since 1886! This castle has the distinction of being transmitted by women, which has explained since the four changes of names of the owners following the weddings of these, but it is indeed the same line!
The castle is today private . It can be visited as part of the guided tours of the tourist office and with guided tours organized by the owner of the castle. To discover certain parts of the interior of the Pornic castle, private and inhabited property, two possibilities are offered according to the seasons: guided tour animated by the guides of the tourist office in the privacy of the Pornic castle: from the end of October to the end of April or guided tour of the castle of Pornic , Check prices and dates on official Château de Pornic : https://www.chateaudepornic.fr/agenda-0.html
The town of Pornic on its heritage : https://www.pornic.fr/vivre-a-pornic/cadre-de-vie/patrimoine/
The Pornic tourist office on the castle: https://en.pornic.com/pornic-castle.html
There you go folks, a short but pleasant trip to the beautiful old Bretagne, that is Loire Atlantique dept 44. The sea at its best, nice monuments, and pleasant road warrior driving were all that was needed, we have been back !!!! Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Château of Pornic as I.
And remember happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 