Pays de la Loire · Maine-et-Loire, France

Château de Montsoreau

The only château of the Loire built directly in the riverbed, rising straight from the water at the confluence of the Loire and the Vienne. Immortalised by Alexandre Dumas in La Dame de Monsoreau, it houses a museum of contemporary art since 2016.

At a glance

Built: c. 1450–1460
Style: Transitional Gothic–Renaissance
Commissioned by: Jean II de Chambes
Signature feature: Built in the bed of the Loire itself
Setting: Confluence of the Loire and Vienne rivers
Today: Château de Montsoreau — Museum of Contemporary Art (since 2016)
Literary fame: Setting of Dumas' La Dame de Monsoreau
Visiting: Open to visitors (seasonal calendar)