Vaux Castle

Vaux Castle, locally known as Château de Vaux, lies northwest of the village of Miré in the Maine-et-Loire department in France.

Vaux Castle was built by Jean Bourré between 1464 and 1468. Jean was Finance Minister and principal advisor to King Louis XI. Busy with his numerous duties for the king, Jean spent little time in Vaux. Subsequently he had another castle built some 25 kilometers to the south, more befitting his status; Plessis-Bourré Castle. His descendants sold Vaux in 1582.

Several noblemen followed as owners of the castle during the next centuries.

In 1779 Vaux Castle was inherited by Marquis Joseph Hilaire de Préaux. He leased it out to a Jacques Bordillon. During the French Revolution, the castle was occupied by a band of Chouans; French anti-revolutionaries who revolted against the French Revolution. In 1794 they were attacked and driven out.

The Bordillon family inhabited the castle until the late 19th century, when it went to the Duke of Caylus through inheritance from the Marquis de Préaux. The duke sold it to the Cadeau family in 1908. Apparently they abandoned the castle, because by the mid-20th century it was in ruins.

To safeguard it, it was classified as a Historic Monument in 1977. The Nitzel family then bought the castle in 1986 and has since then been restoring the castle back to its present appearance.

At present Vaux Castle is the private residence of its owners. Its gardens and exterior, however, can be visited for free. Interior visits are only possible on certain dates, like National Heritage Days. A beautiful little castle which has been restored with love. I had a nice chat with Mrs. Nitzel and enjoyed a lovely picnic in the garden.

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