Château de Pimpéan

Château de Pimpéan stands in Gennes-Val-de-Loire, a merged municipality that now includes the former village of Grézillé, where the castle is actually located. It's one of those Loire Valley estates where medieval stonework and working vineyards sit side by side, and where a tour of the building naturally ends with a glass of wine made just outside its walls.

How did the castle come to be?

The story starts in 1435, when Bertrand de Beauvau, a close ally and friend of King René of Anjou, began building a fortified residence here. That first castle had towers, a gatehouse, machicolations, and a chapel set within an enclosed courtyard. Several pieces of that fifteenth-century structure survive today: the chapel, the cellars, the former stables, and sections of the surrounding walls. Everything else was rebuilt in the second half of the seventeenth century, when a new residence made up of four wings replaced the older fortress — a shift from a defensive stronghold to a comfortable country house. Château de Pimpéan is listed as a historic monument, and a thorough restoration carried out around the early 1990s is what allows visitors to walk through it today.

What will you actually see inside?

The highlight is the Gothic chapel, which still holds wall paintings from the fifteenth century — among the finest surviving examples of this kind in the whole Anjou region. They show angels carrying the instruments of the Passion alongside scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. Beyond the chapel, the visit continues through the grander rooms of the seventeenth-century wing: reception salons, a library, and bedrooms decorated in a style echoing the château's earlier owners. The exterior walls are built from the pale tuffeau stone typical of the Loire Valley, and on the river side you'll find terraces with sweeping views plus a formal French garden with neatly clipped hedges.

Vineyards and wine tasting

Château de Pimpéan has long doubled as a working wine estate. Vines surround the buildings, producing wines under the Anjou-Saumur appellation. A visit to the château is usually paired with a tasting of the wine made on the property — a chance to try the local vintage right where the grapes were grown, with the vineyard rows in full view.

Getting there and choosing the best time to visit

The château sits in the heart of the Loire Valley, close to Saumur and Angers, in the quiet countryside around Gennes-Val-de-Loire. Driving is by far the easiest way to reach it, and the country roads leading in wind past vineyards and orchards, making the approach itself part of the experience. Spring through early autumn is the best window for a visit, when the gardens and vines look their best and outdoor wine tastings are at their most enjoyable. It's a natural stop to combine with a wider tour of Anjou's châteaux, alongside nearby Saumur or the town of Gennes itself.

Frequently asked questions

Who built Château de Pimpéan? The château was founded in 1435 by Bertrand de Beauvau, a friend of King René of Anjou.

What remains from the original medieval castle? The Gothic chapel with its fifteenth-century wall paintings, the old cellars, the former stables, and parts of the fortified enclosure all survive from that period.

Can you taste wine during a visit? Yes — the estate produces its own wine, and tours are usually combined with a tasting of vintages made on site.

Is Château de Pimpéan a good stop for families? Yes. A walk through the terraces, French garden, and vineyards, combined with the indoor tour, makes for a relaxed, manageable visit for all ages.