Can you visit the whole château de Fréteval?

Only ruins remain, mainly the keep and parts of the fortifications, visited outdoors.

When was the château de Fréteval built?

It was built in the first half of the 11th century by Nivelon I, seneschal to the Count of Blois.

Why is the keep at Fréteval notable?

It is one of the oldest circular keeps in France, built of flint around the year 1100.

What historical event is linked to Fréteval?

In 1194 a battle took place there between Richard the Lionheart and Philip Augustus, who lost the royal seals.

Château de Fréteval

Fréteval Castle

Fréteval

Visit

Hours to be confirmed

Where: Fréteval

Hours and prices not verified at the source yet.

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Sleep nearby

Château de Fréteval stands in Fréteval (Loir-et-Cher), in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: Middle Ages). Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

Overlooking the Loir valley opposite the village of Fréteval, this 11th-century fortified castle survives today as ruins, including a circular flint keep ranked among the earliest of its kind in France. The site witnessed notable episodes in the turbulent relations between the Plantagenets and the French crown, including an 1194 battle where Philip Augustus lost the royal seals. Three defensive lines, an arc-shaped moat and a carved relief known as the Dame au serpent remain visible.

Written from Château de Fréteval

This place also features in Richard the Lionheart’s castles

What to know

The site consists of ruins and remains, visited outdoors.
The keep and its surroundings involve walking on uneven ground, above the village.
Only the keep is protected as a historic monument, listed since 1926.
No verified information on opening hours, prices or accessibility is available for this listing.

Where this château is

Fréteval · Loir-et-Cher · Centre-Val de Loire

Map of the area around Château de Fréteval

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

41160 Fréteval

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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4.3 / 5from 81 Google reviews

Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA00098446
Period of construction: Middle Ages

Itineraries

In pictures

Frequently asked

Can you visit the whole château de Fréteval?: Only ruins remain, mainly the keep and parts of the fortifications, visited outdoors.
When was the château de Fréteval built?: It was built in the first half of the 11th century by Nivelon I, seneschal to the Count of Blois.
Why is the keep at Fréteval notable?: It is one of the oldest circular keeps in France, built of flint around the year 1100.
What historical event is linked to Fréteval?: In 1194 a battle took place there between Richard the Lionheart and Philip Augustus, who lost the royal seals.