Château de Blain

Château de Blain, also known as Château de La Groulais, is a medieval fortress in the commune of Blain in Loire-Atlantique, roughly 40 kilometres north of Nantes. Originally built in the 13th century, it formed part of Brittany's chain of frontier defences alongside the castles of Vitré, Fougères, and Châteaubriant, guarding the duchy's border against the French crown. Significant rebuilding in the 16th century introduced Renaissance elements alongside the existing military stonework, giving the structure its layered character today. Classified as a historic monument, the château is set within a landscaped park where the original defensive towers and curtain walls remain largely intact — a tangible remnant of Brittany's long struggle to preserve its independence.