The first period of constructions at Matval, dated 7th century AD, shows former habitations in the form of cave-dwellings carved in the famous Loire valley limestone which has enhanced so many chateaux in the Loire valley region. In the middle-ages caves were to be drilled underground to constitute the main secret escape to enable endangered and besieged knights or lords to flee away from their attackers.
Some of those underground passages are still visible today. A moat would later complete the defence to erect on its top a Wooden Donjon of primitive construction. At the turn of the first millennium stone were to be used again for the construction of Châteaux and Donjons. The Château of Matval today is still a vivid example of middle ages military‘s Art, showing remains of the 13th 14th and 15th century’s architectural elements of quality.
It took more than two decades of hard work with love and total dedication to restore the château’s pride and beauty. Ancient ways involving traditional masonry stone carving and crafted carpentry among carefully chosen rare materials were used to rediscover the original look of the middle-ages.
Comments