On our way to visit Chateau Villandry today, we stopped into Langeais for lunch. I successfully ordered my meal in French! I was only slightly disappointed when he read our order back to us in English. And then I cheered that I was understood! Small Brave.

While I had seen Langeais with girlfriends a couple weeks ago, we only saw the stunning chateau and the nearby cathedral from the outside. Our after-lunch walk today took us happily right into Chateau de Langeais.

Built in the 10th century and known as the second oldest castle in France, it was destroyed in the Hundred Years’ War by the British. It was rebuilt in 1465, then became famous in 1491 as the site of the secret wedding of Anne of Brittany and King Charles VIII, permanently joining Brittany and France. In 1866 a restoration began, including the installation of beautiful tapestries, which are displayed in every room.

We enjoyed learning about the history and seeing it within the old tapestries. I am fascinated with the story of Anne of Brittany who was married by proxy at age 12 to Maximilian, King of the Romans in Austria, which King Charles VIII found threatening because France sat between the two. She was forced to renounce the marriage after a military show of force, and marry King Charles VIII instead. So much medieval drama.

The church is only a short walk from the chateau. We passed a boulangerie, a bouchère, a chocolatier, and several bars in between. I mean, what else could a medieval town need?

Chateau Villandry will wait for another day.