Laval Castle

The Laval Castle is a castle in Laval, in the French department of Mayenne. Its foundation in the 10th century allowed the birth of the city. Emblematic monument of Laval, it occupies a rocky promontory above the Mayenne River. It is composed of two distinct ensembles: the Old Castle, which corresponds to the medieval fortified castle, and the New Castle, a Renaissance gallery transformed into a courthouse in the 19th century. These two monuments are on the list of the first 1,034 French historical monuments classified in 1840. The history of the Château de Laval is closely linked to that of the House of Laval, which began with Guy I, the founder of the castle. The monument bears witness to the multiple alliances contracted by this family, as well as to its power, which grew from the 11th century until its disappearance at the end of the Renaissance. The Old Castle is remarkable for its 11th-century chapel as well as for its imposing main tower, topped by a 13th-century wooden hoarding, an exceptional example of medieval military architecture.