A keep and a watchtower,
vestiges of 13th century fortifications, in the centre of Blois
vestiges of 13th century fortifications, in the centre of Blois
Tours,
LOIR-ET-CHER
center-val-de-loire
37000
FR
Location
In the Loire Valley, classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. On the banks of the river Loire, half-way between Orleans and Tours, Blois is 160 km from Paris by motorway. The train station in the town centre provides 1½-hour links to Gare-d'Austerlitz. The old royal town has a wealth of historic, architectural and natural heritage.
Description
The keep, currently standing between houses and gardens, can be reached via a small, raised, public esplanade. A private plot, spanning just under 0.02 ha, could be converted into a parking area. The watchtower, no doubt a former bastion given its square shape and its height of less than 12 metres, is set about a hundred metres away from the keep. It is partially embedded in a contemporary construction. The tower predominantly stands on the shoulder of the road.
The keep
Built in the 12th century on the fiefdom of the Beauvoir lords, vassals to the count of Blois, this keep became a key feature of the fortification during the following century. From the top of its 24 metres, it offered and still offers a panoramic view over Blois and its surrounding area as well as over the river Loire and its valley. After the French Revolution, the keep became a prison and remained so until 1945. Nowadays, it is a square tower that spans five levels topped with a terrace. The quarry stone block walls have reinforced corners. Its few openings have semi-circular or triangular arches. Those of the old cells are rectangular and fitted with bars. A stairway, with 123 steps, goes upstairs. The terrace can be reached from the top floor via another stairway, opening on to the platform via a shelter, covered with chestnut tiles. Each floor, with a ceiling height between 3.20 and 4.40 m, comprises a single open space. The floor surface area of each room increases on each level from approx. 75 to 95 m².
The five jail cells on the ground floor, spanning a surface area of approx. 6 m² each, have been preserved and transformed into an unusual tourist accommodation unit, with a lounge, a kitchen, a shower room and two bedrooms. Laid out on either side of the gallery, the rectangular cells are of the same dimension, under an arched ceiling, 3.30 m high. The floors are covered with wide flagstones.
The watchtower
The walls are composed of quarry stone blocks. The north facade features three rectangular openings one above the other. Loopholes are set in the east and west facades. The building is covered with a lean-to, slate roof.
Our opinion
Although amongst some of the oldest buildings in Blois, these two towers are so embedded in the urban landscape that they practically become invisible, unless looking skywards. As regards the rehabilitation of the premises, everything is still to be done for the little tower, but the restoration of the old keep is well in hand. The heavy doors, with their Judas holes, and the solid shutters, bearing witness to the old prisoners between the windows and the bars, have been preserved. The current owner has done his utmost to restore public esteem for this building, with its very special air, by also hosting temporary exhibitions and cultural events.
340 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 432429
| Land registry surface area | 338 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 360 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 2 |
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NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.
