The New Castle

You’re standing on Place de la Trémoille, facing a pale facade that catches the light. Forget the old fortified castle next door for a moment: here stands its younger counterpart, the New Castle. But why build a new one so close to the old fortress? In the mid-16th century, the Laval family wanted to show something more than thick defensive walls. The age of military strongholds was fading, replaced by the Renaissance and its flair for elegance and display. The old castle still served as a reminder of power, but what was missing was a residence that impressed through refinement. The New Castle was built with that in mind, to highlight the strength, sophistication, and modernity of its lords. Look up:  the round arches are perfectly aligned, decorative columns create a harmonious rhythm, and the windows divided by vertical bars add a dynamic pattern to the facade. Everything here breathes harmony, in sharp contrast to the squat, defensive look of the Middle Ages. The pale stone you see is tuffeau, a soft limestone easy to carve, which glows golden at sunset. In the 16th century, it was a bold new idea to build a castle that showed itself off instead of hiding behind walls — a new language of power. As times changed, so did its role. After the Revolution, the grand gallery became the courthouse, and in the 19th century, two pavilions and a wing were added. What you see today is this fascinating blend of Renaissance and 19th-century architecture. At your feet, the wide paved esplanade was redesigned to highlight the facade. And if you’re visiting in summer, keep an eye out for openings to the terrace-belvedere: on certain days you can go up for free, and the view over the city and the river is spectacular. Finally, know that this square still holds other stories. In 2012, archaeological digs uncovered old ditches and structures, traces of a long-forgotten medieval past. Here, Laval has been rewriting itself century after century, each era adding a new chapter without ever erasing the ones before.