When was the château des Lions built?

A first castle was built in the 10th century by Viscount Atton and destroyed in 1130. The fortress that can be identified today dates from the 14th century, when it withstood several English sieges.

Who restored the château in the 15th century?

Pierre Frottier oversaw the restoration around 1422. This royal confidant was tasked by Charles VII with supervising the education of his daughter Jeanne, later the mother of Agnès Sorel.

Why was the château abandoned?

From 1650 onwards, the barons of Preuilly established their residence at the château d'Azay-le-Ferron and gradually abandoned this site, which underwent only minor repairs in the early 17th century.

Château des Lions

Lions Castle

Preuilly-sur-Claise

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Preuilly-sur-Claise

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Open within 20 km

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Château des Lions stands in Preuilly-sur-Claise (Indre-et-Loire), in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: 14th century, 15th century). The building is privately owned and no visits are on record.

A former barony in Touraine established in the 10th century, the château des Lions has held strategic importance at Preuilly-sur-Claise since medieval times. Destroyed in the 12th century and rebuilt in the 14th to withstand English incursions, it underwent restoration in the early 15th century and remained a noble residence until the mid-17th century. The site preserves a feudal gateway, a round defensive tower and remnants of its fortified enclosure.

What to know

The château is inscribed as a historic monument for its medieval structures and defensive elements.
The former chapel known as Sainte-Mélanie church and the fortress's feudal gateway are protected as historic monuments.
The site has remained only partially restored since its abandonment in the 17th century and shows traces of successive reconstruction campaigns.

Where this château is

Preuilly-sur-Claise · Indre-et-Loire · Centre-Val de Loire

Map of the area around Château des Lions

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Preuilly-sur-Claise, Indre-et-Loire

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

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Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA00097923
Period of construction: 14th century, 15th century

Itineraries

Frequently asked

When was the château des Lions built?: A first castle was built in the 10th century by Viscount Atton and destroyed in 1130. The fortress that can be identified today dates from the 14th century, when it withstood several English sieges.
Who restored the château in the 15th century?: Pierre Frottier oversaw the restoration around 1422. This royal confidant was tasked by Charles VII with supervising the education of his daughter Jeanne, later the mother of Agnès Sorel.
Why was the château abandoned?: From 1650 onwards, the barons of Preuilly established their residence at the château d'Azay-le-Ferron and gradually abandoned this site, which underwent only minor repairs in the early 17th century.