The fortress was built hanging over an old branche of the river Loire, and gave the possibility to a perfect view over the valley of the river and the baronie, both because of its octagonal building form with an outline of 150 meter and six varied round and square towers.
On the XIIth century the castle is sufficient important and strong to offer a serious resistance against the ennemies of Louis VIth (Louis the Great), also considering a bold revolt of the stealing sovereign. Abbot Suger writes about this in 1137, “after the sovereign residence was set on fire, that Louis the Great would be forced to punish this mean trick in order to force the villain to surrender.”
The sovereign residence was situated south of the castle inside the defensive walls. The Gothic cellars from the XIIIth century, which are left, bear witness to that.
In 1987 there were only few inhabitants permitted to enter the park, or invited in the castle.
Many of them had to put up with getting a glimpse of the architecture between the high trees.
Finally their dream of being able to visit the castle came through, because of the municipal heritage.
On responsibility of the local authorities an association was raised by the most interested persons: “the friends of the Castle of Saint-Brisson-sur-Loire”. They made an effort to start the restoration and cleaning of rooms which would be opened in may 1988.
Two years later another four halls were renovated. Ten years after the municipal heritage there are twelve halls, which give back the castles’ atmosphere, and guarantee the simplicity and originality of it’s soul.
Nowadays fourteen furnished rooms give possibility to re-discover life at the castle, from kitchen to cellar. By walking from the dining-room to the drawing-room and to the chamber of the marquise and all other rooms the history is told of the castle and the families that lived here.
Architectural development of the castle
The castle of St-Brisson has passed through different periods and its present architecture tells its story.
Like this (so) the façades on the courtyard trace the course in three parts and show three periods;
Left: The original walls, filled up with soil ( XIIth - XIIIth century) where only the western square tower is provided with rooms.
The middle part, where the private houses are situated, dates from the end of the XVIth century and has low, wide windows, promising beautiful views on the river Loire.
The part on the right side, with the arcades and cross-shaped windows, the pavilion and the round gallery was adapted in the XIXth century.
The medieval part of the castle of St-Brisson is no longer visible nowadays, as it was demolished by order of the government. It consisted of the square tower-entrance, which indicated the entrance of the castle, the high walls and battlements, the southern round tower, the small demarcation wall and a chapel in the small eastern tower. Last mentioned chapel however was totally rebuilt in 1819 by Nicolas Maximilian Séguier, perfect under Louis XVIII and son of Sidoine Séguier. He was a descendant of a very important family, who inhabited the castle from 1567 to 1902.
Origin of the village
The village of St-Brisson derives its name of Brice, Bishop of Tours, who was on his way through Brice (Brisson) in the year 397 and conceived a profound adoration for this place.
The church, which was built after his death on his dedication, forms the origin of the town. Where it used to be protected by embankments, there are nowadays numerous old housed to be seen in the area around the castle, which we can discover on the way to the castle.
The park has kept its original rural character and is in the original state.
The shadowy path leads us to a stone bridge. A small bench invites us to a moment of rest. Here the castle lies in front of us, bathing in the sun, with at our feet a moat of 25 meter wide. Down at the wall of the castle there are still special wooden constructions to be seen.
