Château des Barons – Musée d'histoire de Vitré
Medieval fortress of the Marches of Brittany housing the town’s history museum, with a digital model, a sound experience and throwing weapons.
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About the museum
Vitré Castle was built from the 11th century to defend the entrance to the Duchy of Brittany. Successive barons enlarged the fortress, which overlooks the Vilaine and the historic centre from a schist outcrop. It retains a drawbridge, arrow loops, machicolations and gun ports, and is among the most remarkable surviving medieval fortifications in western France.
In the 19th century the castle served as a prison. Listed as a historic monument in 1872, it was later altered and restored. It now houses the town hall and the museum.
The museum has been housed in the castle since 1877. Ten exhibition spaces trace the town’s history from the Middle Ages to the present day. A digital model shows the castle’s evolution since the 11th century, a sound experience follows the explorers of Vitré, and an area introduces visitors to throwing weapons, from the crossbow to the trebuchet.
Highlights
- 11th-century fortress of the Marches of Brittany
- Digital model of the castle’s evolution
- Sound experience about the explorers of Vitré
- Introduction to throwing weapons, from the crossbow to the trebuchet
- View over the town from the curtain walls
Permanent exhibition
- Musée d'histoire de la ville – Ten exhibition spaces on the history of Vitré from the Middle Ages to today, with a digital model of the castle, a sound experience about the explorers of Vitré and an introduction to throwing weapons.
- Founded
- 1877
- Operated by
- Ville de Vitré
- Visitors per year
- approx. 31,389
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6Students, people with disabilities, job seekers, children aged 8 to 17, and visitors who already hold a full-price ticket for the town’s other museum or a “Ville d’art et d’histoire” guided tour that day |
| Children & teens | €6free up to age 7 · Free for under-8s (except lecture tours), reduced rate for ages 8 to 17. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €6 |
| Students & apprentices | €6 |
A ticket bought at one of the town’s two museums (Château des Barons and Château des Rochers-Sévigné) entitles you to the reduced rate at the other. Free for members of Bretagne Musées, members of the Amis de Vitré and Vitré Patrimoine, and holders of the ICOM card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The Tourisme Bretagne portal indicates that the site’s accessibility is not compliant.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 7 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
Children’s workshops (according to the Tourisme Bretagne portal). Reduced rate for ages 8 to 17, free admission for under-8s.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours of the castle exterior and Ville d’art et d’histoire tours are offered; the Tourisme Bretagne portal also mentions children’s workshops. |
