Saving Castles

22/01/2026

The Logis Royal de Loches was never meant to impress. Built within fortress walls, it functioned as a working royal residence where French power operated quietly, away from the spectacle of court. During the final years of the Hundred Years’ War, Charles VII made Loches one of his principal seats of government, using its seclusion to weigh strategy, diplomacy, and survival.

In 1429, Joan of Arc passed through the Logis Royal after lifting the Siege of Orléans, meeting a cautious king who would soon be crowned because of her victories.

Part 1 of our tour is up! Link in our bio.

19/01/2026

We explore the spectacular Royal City of Loches, a fortified citadel perched on a rocky spur above the Indre Valley.

In our latest video, we discover the remarkable monuments in the city, including: the Logis Royal, a stunning late medieval to early renaissance royal residence where French power politics unfolded.

Watch our full video through the link in our bio!

17/01/2026

Historic move or risky gamble? The Bayeux Tapestry, a 70-metre-long masterpiece from the 1070s that tells the story of the Norman Conquest, is heading to the British Museum in 2026 for the first time in nearly 1,000 years.

The Bayeux Museum closed for renovation, meaning the tapestry had to be taken down and placed in temporary storage. In that context, France agreed to a historic loan to the British Museum, framed as both a cultural exchange and a way to keep the tapestry “alive” in public view while its home is rebuilt.

But not everyone’s cheering. Experts and artists, including David Hockney, warn that moving such a fragile textile could lead to irreversible damage. Critics say conservation should come before spectacle. 

What do you think? Is it worth the risk to share this treasure more widely, or should heritage like this stay rooted in place? 🤔

09/01/2026

Winter at the chateau. After the flurry of snow has settled, every corner becomes still. There is melancholy, but also hope. Silence, but also peace. It is a different picture of the French countryside, where the cold winter days give you a reason to come out.

07/01/2026

NEW VIDEO is up! We tour 3 chateaux in the Loire Valley: amazing castles dressed up for the holidays! Watch it and let us know which one’s your favorite. Link is in our bio.

The lights and trees at the Chinon Fortress look dazzling. It’s a totally different experience even having visited several times! ✨

04/01/2026

Chateau d’Azay le Rideau was marvelously dressed up for the holidays as part of the Loire Valley’s Noël au Pays des Chateaux. You’ll see themes of famous fairytales and children’s tales like Beauty and the Beast, Little Red Riding Hood, and Alice in Wonderland. It’s literally stepping into a storybook castle!

A new episode is coming soon featuring holiday displays in more chateaux in the Loire!

01/01/2026

Happy New Year! May you all have a prosperous, fun, and adventure-filled 2026! 🥂

28/12/2025

2025 for us was all about finding the true meaning of legacy. When we look back on this year, we reminisce on the beauty of castles… but we also see the people who take care of them. People who live with purpose.

We see families who protect history with their bare hands.

We see the weight of tradition, the pride of survival, and the quiet thrill of discovery.

We see ourselves, slowly learning how to listen better, and understand deeper.

Most importantly, we see you. Our friends and followers who have joined us in this amazing year of discoveries.

We hope you've enjoyed being part of the fun! Thank you for watching, supporting, sharing, and believing in these stories.

Here’s to a beautiful year ahead. May it be a year of discovery for you too.

And wherever you are in the world, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep saving castles.

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24/12/2025

On Christmas Eve, we celebrate the life of our co-founder, Monte Schumacher.

He lived a full, honest life. As a lover of history, he respected tradition and had a deep admiration for people who spent their lives dedicated to preserving heritage. To him, there wasn’t a more noble cause than to recognize the sacrifices made by those who came before you.

He believed in the power of family. He spent his last few years in the Loire Valley, speaking to families who have worked together to restore important historical sites and chateaux. He knew that to preserve these places was to preserve the memories kept within them.

He loved adventure and discovery, but enjoyed it more when he got to share it with you.

While he isn’t in this physical world anymore, he lives on in the stories he told, and the stories we will continue to tell here at Saving Castles.

08/12/2025

07/12/2025

We explored 14 French castles in 2025. This is what we found. From Knights Templar dungeons to Europe's deepest moat, from hidden painted galleries to underground fortresses—these châteaux shocked us and changed us.

👉 Watch the full 25-minute journey through all 14 castles on our YouTube Channel!

Châteaux featured: Villandry, Gizeux, Champchevrier, Brézé, Oiron, Montreuil-Bellay, Langeais, Chinon, Rivau, Saumur, Mont Saint-Michel & more.