Chateau de Brissac
In the Val de Loire, only 9 miles (15 km) from Angers, you’ll find the highest castle in France: Château de Brissac. This family castle is owned by the Cossé-Brissac family since 1502, but it’s a lot older than that. And even though the family has gotten used to the appearance of the resident ghost, she can be quite terrifying to others…
The history of Chateau de Brissac
The original castle was built in the 11th century by Fulco III of Anjou. The castle was rebuilt in 1455 by Pierre de Brézé, a wealthy minister who served King Charles VII and later his successor King Louis XI. Brézé was sent to help Marguerite d’Anjou, the Queen of England, along with Louis. This happened during the War of the Two Roses. Unfortunately, Brézé was killed in battle protecting the King in the Battle of Montlhéry in 1465. His son, Jacques, inherited the castle and he lived in it with his wife Charlotte. During the Wars of Religion (Guerres de Religion 1562 – 1598) the castle was attacked by King Henry IV of France. It left most of the castle in ruin, but it was rebuilt in 1611 in a Baroque style. With its 7 floors, Château de Brissac, is the highest castle in France and it has 200 rooms. During the French Revolution (1789 – 1799), the castle was briefly out of the hands of the Cossé-Brissac family. It was plundered by revolutionaries and the castle remained that way until 1844, when it was restored and returned to the family.
The ghost of Chateau de Brissac
You may think the place is crowded with ghosts because of its age, but it’s not. In fact, only one ghost roams the castle. There used to be two ghosts that haunted the castle. But at some point, one of them felt the need to move on.
Charlotte de Breze
Charlotte de Brézé was the beautiful but illegitimate daughter of King Charles VII and Agnes Sorel, his mistress. Jacques de Brézé married her, but it wasn’t a marriage based on love. Charlotte found love in the arms of her huntsman and they started an affair. One night, one of the servants, woke Jacques and told him what was going on. He caught the couple red-handed. In a rage of anger, he killed both his wife and her lover in the tower room above the chapel. Some sources claim he took his sword and slashed them to pieces, others say he stabbed them, and even other others claim he stabbed the man (Pierre de Lavergne) and strangled her. Either way, he killed them. He is said to have fled the castle shortly after the crime because the two ghosts didn’t leave him alone. They kept on moaning all night and it terrified him.
La Dame Verte
Somehow, Pierre has left the building. His ghost has not been seen in years. Charlotte, however, simply loves to terrify people. Because she wears a green dress, she is called the Green Lady (La Dame Verte). The residents have gotten used to her, even though she’s scary as hell. Especially her face is, for she’s got holes where her eyes and nose should be. She often moans in the early hours of the morning and she likes hanging out in the Tower Room, where she was murdered.
Chateau de Brissac today
Today, Château de Brissac is still a family home, housing Marquis Charles-André, his wife Larissa de Brissac and their four children. The castle is open to the public on some occasions, and two rooms are available as a bed-and-breakfast. Curious but cautious? You can have a virtual tour in the castle which I personally find fantastic (don’t forgot to look up, the ceilings are incredible!).
Do you want to read more stories of haunted places in Europe? Click here!
Cover photo: William-Chevillon-via-flickr-CC-BY-NC-ND-2.0.jpg
Sources: Wikipedia, chateau-brissac.fr, great-castles.com and ancient-origins.net
Book: Haunted Places – Robert Grenville, 2017.
Address: Rue Louis Moron, 49320, Brissac-Quincé, France
