Montmirail and its castle "The place from which to admire"

This “Mons Mirabilis”, whose origins go back a very long way, is built on one of the highest points in the département and dominates the whole of the ancient Perche-Gouët region. The castle occupies a remarkable site, on an isolated hill with steep slopes, from which the eye can discover a vast landscape. Make the most of your visit to discover the castle before strolling through the little town of character, which is full of sights to be admired.

A castle with two faces

Perched on a belvedere, it offers a breathtaking panorama. Follow in the footsteps of the Princesse de Conti or Henry Plantagenet, and stroll through the underground passageways, arms rooms and salons of the 18th century. As you travel back in time, relive the conference between the kings of France and England and Thomas Beckett…

The Château de Montmirail is unusual in that it has two faces.

The first, facing the village, has a rough, austere and cold appearance, clearly evoking a medieval period. It features towers, gun ports, stonework, machicolations and more.

This façade contrasts sharply with its counterpart on the garden side.

Indeed, the latter is much more welcoming, with its brick wall decorated with a grid pattern, its many wide openings and its triangular pediment. There’s no doubt about it, we’ve moved through the ages, from a medieval château to a Renaissance residence and beyond.

A historic meeting

In 1169, while the castle had still been occupied by the same family, the Gouëts, for over 100 years, William IV welcomed the kings of France and England, Louis VII and Henry II Plantagenet. They will meet at Montmirail for two days to exchange views on a variety of subjects. This meeting was made possible at the château thanks to the close ties between the chatelain and the two sovereigns, as well as the strategic location of the site.

The heyday of the 18th century

The château changed hands several times until the early 18th century, when it was acquired by Louis-Armand de Bourbon, Prince de Conti. In 1685, it was inherited by his wife, Marie-Anne de Bourbon, daughter of Louis XIV and Mademoiselle de La Vallière, also known as the Princesse de Conti.

Over the course of this century, the château’s interiors were extensively remodeled to match the fashion of the day and modern standards of comfort. The nineteenth and twentieth centuries also brought changes of varying degrees of importance, such as the addition of buildings and the installation of increasingly modern conveniences like running water, central heating and electricity.

Opening hours

The château’s interiors can be visited from February to October, from Tuesday to Sunday, only on classic or themed guided tours (candlelight, disguised, theatrical) lasting from 45 minutes to 1 hour each.

– February: Wednesdays and Sundays during school vacations (2pm to 6:30pm)

– April and May: Sundays and public holidays (2pm to 6:30pm)

– June: Sundays

– July and August: Every day except Saturday (11am to 6:30pm)

– September: Thursdays (11am to 6:30pm)

– October: Wednesdays and Sundays during school vacations (2pm to 6:30pm)

Rates

Adults (full price): €8

Adult (pass rate*), Groups: €7

Reduced rate**: €6

PRM: €3 (first floor only)

Children (under 8): Free (excluding workshops)

*Flyer for the “Châteaux et seigneuries du Perche” tour

** Young people aged 8 to 18, students, disabled people and one accompanying adult, jobseekers on presentation of a valid card.

A refreshing break in the old stables?

A tearoom is open during the château’s opening hours and is located in the former stables. Here you’ll find a variety of hot and cold drinks, as well as delicacies such as homemade cakes, artisanal ice creams and platters of charcuterie and cheese.

Come and enjoy an exceptional setting in the shade of a pergola facing the château!

Chateau life!

Discover the charm of a bed & breakfast stay at the château, an experience where time seems suspended in timeless elegance. Located on the second floor of the château, the five charming guest rooms offer breathtaking views over the 3-hectare park planted with trees and flowers, and the Perche countryside. Each room is decorated in a different style, a perfect blend of the old and the new. It’s the ideal place for lovers of fine stonework and history to enjoy an elegant, relaxing stay.

In the morning, enjoy breakfast on the first floor in the renovated 15th-century kitchen facing the imposing fireplace, or, weather permitting, on one of the terraces to take in the panoramic views.

Chambres d'hôtes du Château de Montmirail

Contact

Château de Montmirail

72320 Montmirail

02 43 93 72 71

Website

Château de Montmirail

Ce château médiéval du XVème siècle, classé Monument Historique et bâti sur l'un des points culminants de la Sarthe, offre au visiteur un panorama remarquable. En aplomb de la...

Village of Montmirail Small town with character

At the foot of the castle, the small Cité de Caractère of Montmirail has developed within the medieval walls.

From the outset, Montmirail has been a strategic and defensive site. A Gallo-Roman stronghold was followed by a feudal motte, then a medieval fortress. From the 11th century onwards, the Gouêt family contributed to the development of the five baronies which, in the 16th century, formed the “Perche Gouêt” region, with Montmirail as its capital. Besieged by Richard the Lionheart in 1194, and coveted by the English during the Hundred Years’ War, the town and castle were rebuilt in the 15th century. Traditionally a farming town, Montmirail experienced an industrial boom in the 18th century thanks to the “Chesne Bidault” glassworks, better known as the Plessis Dorin glassworks.

Heritage discovery trail

Take a stroll through the village, and you’ll discover a homogeneous urban heritage and high-quality buildings combining red brick, tufa stone and lime plaster.

La Petite Cité de Caractère is easy to discover thanks to the signposted route starting from the château square:

Place du château
Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption church
Hôtel-Dieu
Bailiff’s House
Defensive walls
Saint-Servais chapel
Former salt store / Ramparts garden
17th-century bourgeois residence

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Other activities!

A hiking trail and two bike trails wind through the village and surrounding area. You can also enjoy a drink at the brewery, or pay a visit to the ironmonger or the designers…

Léo COUTANT, Ferronier d'art

"Mons Mirabilis

mountain from which we admire or mountain that we admire.”