Photo : Selbymay / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Château de Blain (De la Groulaie)
The Château de Blain, also called the Château de la Groulais, is a medieval fortress in the Loire-Atlantique, built in the 13th century and much altered in the 16th. It was part of the defences of the Breton frontier, together with Vitré, Fougères, Châteaubriant, Ancenis and Clisson.
With about a dozen towers over some four hectares, it is a large ensemble. The Wars of Religion, Richelieu's orders to dismantle it and then the Revolution badly damaged it, but impressive residences, towers and ramparts remain. An imposing artillery tower, built around 1500, occupies the south-east corner.
The listed parts, owned by the commune, are open to the public, with exhibitions and historical re-enactments, especially during heritage weekends.
