Château de Brissac, Loire Valley, France
The tall turrets of this lovely Loire Valley château are allegedly haunted by the victims of a gory double murder. The story goes that Jacques de Brézé found his wife with a lover and murdered them both in a fit of jealous rage. Owned by the Brissac family since 1502, it’s now the home of the 13th Duke of Brissac, who opens some rooms for bed and breakfast guests.
All tapestry-clad walls and four-poster beds, this place is steeped in history – Louis XIII is known to have stayed in the vast castle during a royal visit in 1620. If you’ve had your fill of ghost stories, head out to explore the tranquil parklands surrounding the castle or visit its cellars to taste the otherworldly Rosé d’Anjou, which is made from grapes grown in its vineyards.
