Can the whole castle of Laval be visited?

No, only the Vieux-Château is open to the public; the Château-Neuf, a former courthouse, cannot be visited.

What can be seen inside the Vieux-Château?

It houses the Museum of Naive Art and Singular Art, installed in the medieval stronghold since 1967.

What is the origin of the Laval castle?

It was founded in the 11th century by Guy de Dénéré, and its construction led to the birth of the town of Laval.

Is the Laval castle accessible to visitors with reduced mobility?

No specific accessibility facilities are mentioned for this monument.

Château de Laval

Laval Castle

Laval

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Where: Laval

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

This week in the agenda

Château de Laval stands in Laval (Mayenne), in the Pays de la Loire region of France. The building is listed as a historic monument. Its opening hours and prices were verified at the source on August 4, 2026.

In Laval, on a rocky spur above the Mayenne river, the castle stands on the very site where the town was founded in the 11th century by Guy de Dénéré. The complex brings together two distinct buildings: the Vieux-Château, a medieval stronghold with a 12th-century chapel and a keep topped by a wooden hoarding, and the Château-Neuf, a Renaissance gallery built in the 1540s that later served as a courthouse. Only the Vieux-Château is open to visitors, now housing the Museum of Naive Art and Singular Art.

Written from Laval Castle (France)

What to know

Only the Vieux-Château can be visited, as the Château-Neuf has been closed to the public since the courts moved out.
The site sits on a rocky promontory in the heart of Laval's old town, reached by sloping streets on several sides.
The monument has no specific accessibility provisions.
The complex was classified as a historic monument on the 1840 list.

Practical information

Opening hours

De février à décembre: samedi et dimanche à 15h et à 16h30
vacances scolaires (académie de Nantes): du mardi au dimanche à 15h et à 16h30
du 5 juillet au 30 août: visites commentées à 15h et 16h30, fermé le lundi et le dimanche matin (le 15 août, ouverture de 14h à 18h)

Annual closures : public holidays (except 15 August)

Prices

Free for Under-26s, people with disabilities and their companions, jobseekers, guide-lecturers and curators, free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month

Visit duration: Not verified
Wheelchair access: Not accessible
Dogs: Not verified
Parking: Not verified

Due to numerous steps, the site is not accessible to people with reduced mobility. The climb up the keep is via a steep staircase of 60 steps – access is difficult for those who tire easily.

On site

Child-friendly

Where this château is

Laval · Mayenne · Pays de la Loire

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Pl. de la Tremoille, 53000 Laval

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

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Château phone number

+33 2 53 74 12 30

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The safest check before setting off: today’s hours, guided-tour availability, where to park.

4.5 / 5from 466 Google reviews

Heritage status: Listed historic monument (classé); Mérimée record PA00109527

In pictures

Frequently asked

Can the whole castle of Laval be visited?: No, only the Vieux-Château is open to the public; the Château-Neuf, a former courthouse, cannot be visited.
What can be seen inside the Vieux-Château?: It houses the Museum of Naive Art and Singular Art, installed in the medieval stronghold since 1967.
What is the origin of the Laval castle?: It was founded in the 11th century by Guy de Dénéré, and its construction led to the birth of the town of Laval.
Is the Laval castle accessible to visitors with reduced mobility?: No specific accessibility facilities are mentioned for this monument.

Information verified on August 4, 2026 · Hours and prices: see the official website