Castle of Turmelière

The castle of Turmelière (To read, Maine-et-Loire) is the birthplace of Joachim of Bellay.

General presentation

At the bottom of a vast romantic park a massive castle built at the end of the XIXe century rises. Behind this building, a little downwards and dissimulated by the trees, rises the imposing remainders of a medieval castle. These ruins are those of the native residence of Joachim of Bellay.

The primitive castle dates from the 13th century. It was restored at the 15th century by Perceval Chabot, grandfather of the mother of Joachim of Bellay. Turmelière is then place-strong, located at the borders of the Anjou where the Lords of Reading cut off themselves in the event of war. The position of the building, between escarpés slopes and the the Loire, returned it almost imprenable.
L' back grandfather of the poet, Jean of Bellay (1400-1480) settles there in 1472.
Son Eustace grandfather of Bellay, is also lord of Gizeux, another family residence of of Bellay, located at the other end of Anjou, in the north of Bourgueil. In 1504 Jean of Bellay, father of Joachim, marries Renee Chabot, the heiress of Turmelière and Reading, which enters the inheritance of Of Bellay.

Joachim of Bellay was born in Turmelière about 1522-1525. It will pass there all its youth and it is certain that the scrap-metal landscapes which surround the castle could inspire to the poet his attachment with softness angevine… Turmelière remains possession of of Bellay until 1562, date on which dies, without descent, Claude of Bellay, nephew of Joachim, dead two years earlier. The field is allocated then to the sister of the Catherine poet, married to Christophe of Breil. Until 1643 of Breil are Masters of Turmelière.

Today the ruins belong to the commune of Liré. The castle of 19th is an Educational and Teaching Therapeutic Institute managed by the Federation of the Friendly Laymen of the Loire-Atlatique. Many school, schoolboys, high-school pupils and students as of many tourists come to discover this place in charge with history and poetry.

Gallery of photographs

ruins of the castle of Turmelière where was born the Joachim poet from Bellay

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