The Green Lady of Brissac

The tallest château in France looks wonderfully unfinished, and that's actually part of its story. Château de Brissac is a grand 17th-century palace built right inside a 15th-century fortress. You'll see two stout medieval towers still standing proudly on either side of a soaring Baroque facade. That's because the Duke who planned this whole renovation ran out of money and time before he could tear down the old castle completely. It stands seven stories high and boasts 204 rooms. The same family, the Cossé-Brissac, has owned it for over 500 years, and they still live in the upstairs apartments today. The château's famous ghost belongs to the older, medieval part of the castle. In the late 15th century, a woman named Charlotte of France, who was the illegitimate daughter of King Charles VII, married Jacques de Brézé. However, she also had a secret lover, Pierre de Lavergne. Local stories say that her husband discovered them together. The account passed down through generations claims he killed them both in their bed in the very early hours of the morning. Today, Charlotte is said to walk the tower room, appearing with her face looking almost hollow, as if her eyes and mouth are just empty holes, and always dressed in green. Guests staying at the château over the centuries have reported hearing moaning sounds from the tower at dawn — always at dawn, and always the same haunting sound. What makes this château special is that it doesn't just focus on the ghost story. The tour offers a wonderful experience, much like visiting a grand French country estate. You'll see beautiful tapestries, including a famous set from Mortlake, and striking portraits. Then comes a truly extraordinary sight: a private opera theater with 200 seats. It was built in the 1880s by the Marquise de Brissac, who was an accomplished singer and wanted a place to perform. This theater is still used for concerts today. And beneath all this grandeur, there's a working vineyard producing delicious Anjou wines, and a wine tasting is included with your visit.

And yes, you can actually spend the night here! The family rents out a few bedrooms in the château as bed and breakfast accommodations (chambres d'hôtes). You'll even have breakfast served by a member of the family. This is one of those rare "haunted hotel" experiences that genuinely feels worth the money, whether or not you encounter anything spooky. You'll be staying in a duke's historic home, in a beautiful room with a canopy bed and a view of the sprawling park, sharing the entire building with fewer than a dozen other guests. Getting there is quite easy. Brissac-Quincé is located just fifteen minutes south of Angers in France's beautiful Loire Valley. This makes it a perfect starting point or stop on a tour of the region's famous châteaux. Angers itself is home to the stunning Apocalypse Tapestry, and other magnificent castles like Saumur, Villandry, and Chenonceau are all located eastward along the river. It's best to visit in late spring or September. Make sure to take the guided tour rather than just wandering on your own, and at the end, ask your guide about the Green Lady. The family's response, usually delivered with a perfect sense of timing, is that she has never actually harmed anyone. She just tends to wake people up a bit early.