Can you visit the inside of Machecoul castle?

No, only the outdoor remains can be visited, via a footpath.

Why is Machecoul castle linked to Gilles de Rais?

Gilles de Rais lived there and was arrested on the site in 1440, which gave the place its nickname of Gilles de Rais' castle.

Is Machecoul castle the Bluebeard castle?

The link to the Bluebeard legend is traditional but historically inaccurate.

What remains of Machecoul castle today?

Only the outer walls of the keep and one interior wall section survive, the rest having been quarried for stone in the 19th century.

Is Machecoul castle state owned?

No, it is privately owned by the de Grandmaison family.

Château de Machecoul

Machecoul Castle

Machecoul-Saint-Même

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Machecoul-Saint-Même

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Sleep nearby

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Château de Machecoul stands in Machecoul-Saint-Même (Loire-Atlantique), in the Pays de la Loire region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: 13th century, third quarter of the 15th century, limite 15th century 16th century). No visits are on record for this building.

The ruins of Machecoul castle stand on a site first occupied at the end of the 11th century by the lords of Retz, before the present structure was built in the 13th century. Visitors come mainly to retrace the dark figure of Gilles de Rais, who lived there and was arrested on site in 1440, the place being sometimes wrongly linked to the legend of Bluebeard. Burned down during the Vendée war and later quarried for stone, the site now keeps only wall sections and the keep, reached today by a footpath.

Written from Château de Machecoul

What to know

The site is visited outdoors, via a footpath leading to the remains.
It is a private property, currently owned by the de Grandmaison family.
A sound and light show devoted to Gilles de Rais takes place on site every summer.
The monument has been listed as a historic monument since 2004.
As the castle is in ruins, visiting involves walking on uneven ground.

Where this château is

Machecoul-Saint-Même · Loire-Atlantique · Pays de la Loire

Map of the area around Château de Machecoul

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Machecoul-Saint-Même, Loire-Atlantique

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

Get directions View on a map

Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA00108639
Period of construction: 13th century, third quarter of the 15th century, limite 15th century 16th century

In pictures

Frequently asked

Can you visit the inside of Machecoul castle?: No, only the outdoor remains can be visited, via a footpath.
Why is Machecoul castle linked to Gilles de Rais?: Gilles de Rais lived there and was arrested on the site in 1440, which gave the place its nickname of Gilles de Rais' castle.
Is Machecoul castle the Bluebeard castle?: The link to the Bluebeard legend is traditional but historically inaccurate.
What remains of Machecoul castle today?: Only the outer walls of the keep and one interior wall section survive, the rest having been quarried for stone in the 19th century.
Is Machecoul castle state owned?: No, it is privately owned by the de Grandmaison family.