Accueil The Mag Experience the Middle Ages at Montbazon Fortress
Want to go back in time and experience the Middle Ages from the inside? That’s what the Montbazon fortress is for! Two hours from London, explore the many facets of medieval life and take the whole family back to the time of knights and kings, to the very heart of French history.
Montbazon, a thousand years of history
The fortress of Montbazon has stood on a rocky spur for a thousand years, just a few kilometres from Tours. Built by the Count of Anjou Foulques III Nerra, also known as the “Black Hawk”, it dominates the town and the Indre valley. The keep of the fortress, originally made of wood, was later replaced by a large 36-metre-high stone keep with 3-metre-thick walls. It is the oldest keep in France still standing. In 1050, the son of the “Black Hawk”, Geoffroy Martel, added a small keep on the west side, which he had transformed into a real fortress with walls, a sentry walk and a high courtyard. Centuries later, a second medieval castle was built opposite the Montbazon keep to accommodate King Charles VII and his son. This fortified medieval complex now invites you to take a trip back in time to the Middle Ages, accessible to all.
Forteresse de Montbazon
Immerse yourself in medieval times
Forteresse de Montbazon
Every day, knight guides will take you to the heart of this unique site. Your journey will take you from the dungeon to the ramparts, via the underground passageways and the torture chamber, ending with an incredible war machine shot.
Blacksmiths, arbour-makers, saddlers… you can discover the trades of the Middle Ages and take part in various workshops. At the Montbazon fortress, try your hand at weaving, calligraphy and stone carving… You can even take your creations home with you at the end of the day!
ADT Touraine – D. Darrault
Forteresse de Montbazon
Do you like a challenge? Alone or in a team, test your axe or knife throwing skills in the Axe Hall! And, of course, you’ll have to watch your feet and the people next to you when you throw
What were hygiene conditions like in the Middle Ages? A huge question! We’ve put together a series of short sketches to answer this question in a unique and joyful way, including a knight’s knighthood ceremony… A chance to dispel preconceptions about the era!
Forteresse de Montbazon
The Archaeosite, a village from the Middle Ages
The Knights of the Black Hawk association manages and runs the site, but it is also behind a vast project to build a medieval village next to the fortress.
Known as the Archéosite, the aim of this ambitious project is to erect an entire village, built entirely using the techniques of the period. The list of planned buildings is impressive: around thirty houses, a reception hall, a châtelet (gateway to the village), a palisade surrounding the site, an educational farm and even a church! To get an idea of the scale of this project, the volunteers estimate that it will take them around 2 years to build a single house… But they won’t shy away from the sheer size of the task
A wooden footbridge will be built to link the Montbazon fortress to the new facilities. The aim of this project is simple: to create a medieval village where the most emblematic and representative crafts of the Middle Ages can be found, and which will be permanently inhabited. But we’ll have to wait a few years before we can see the result!
Forteresse de Montbazon
Feeling peckish?
Taking part in workshops makes you hungry! At any time of day, you can quench your thirst or your hunger at the tavern in Montbazon. A must-try in Touraine, fouées, little balls of bread baked over a wood fire and filled with savoury or sweet ingredients, will delight young and old alike. Salads, planks and delicacies to share are also available.
Exploring Montbazon and the surrounding area
If you didn’t miss the paragraph at the beginning about the history of the Montbazon fortress😉 , you’ll have noticed that it dominates the Indre valley. So, once you’ve finished your visit, we suggest you stay a few days longer and go for a walk to discover this magnificent valley.
David Darrault
Off on the Indre à Vélo! This 300km route winds its way through this pretty, green valley, with stops close to the châteaux. Ideal for discovering Touraine and its bucolic landscapes, the route also links up with major cycle routes such as La Loire à Vélo and Saint-Jacques à Vélo.
A few kilometres from Montbazon, the Arboretum de la Martinière opens its doors to you. This park, which has been awarded the “Jardin Remarquable” label, is devoted to trees and shrubs from every continent. You’ll also find around a hundred species of bamboo, water lilies… you’ll be right in the middle of nature. Open from March to November, visits by appointment.
Arboretum de la Martinière
Stephane Leroy
Of course, if you want to stay a little longer, you’ll need accommodation. Top-of-the-range hotels such as the Château d’Artigny and its Spa, the Domaine de la Tortinière, but also more affordable hotels, inns, campsites… everything is possible in Montbazon and the surrounding communes. All you have to do is choose what suits you best.
More information
In fine weather, evening events are also organised at the Montbazon Fortress. A lively banquet and torchlit tour, a themed evening with axe-throwing, an evening of riddles or Olympiads – the choice is vast. Book in advance.
The Heritage Days and, at the end of the year, Santa’s village complete the programme of festivities at the fortress.
More information to help you plan your visit.
Forteresse de Montbazon
Forteresse de Montbazon
Forteresse de Montbazon
Thematics
