Montsoreau

Montsoreau lies in Maine-et-Loire, on the Loire close to its confluence with the Vienne. Tuffeau houses and slate roofs connect the village to the architectural landscape of Anjou and Touraine. The château stands beside the river and houses a museum of contemporary art. Village lanes, riverfront spaces and troglodyte heritage extend the subject beyond the castle. Montsoreau is a member of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France and lies in the Loire Valley cultural landscape. The museum’s collections and admission are distinct from a walk through the settlement. The river’s presence, local building stone and the changing use of historic structures are central to the place.

Montsoreau is interesting because old fabric continues to acquire new purposes. The château’s contemporary art programme introduces one such change, while the surrounding houses keep the scale domestic. A walk between the riverfront and upper lanes connects the museum landmark to the material and geography of the village.