Chteau de Blain

The Château de Blain, also known as Château de la Groulais, is a medieval castle built in the 13th century and remodelled in the 16th century. Located in Blain, Loire-Atlantique, France, it was part of Brittany's frontier defences alongside other castles and towns.

The castle stands on the Nantes-Brest canal, encompassing 4 hectares with 12 towers. Constructed by Alan IV, Duke of Brittany, around 1108, it passed to the Clisson family in 1225. After Olivier I of Clisson's revolt, the castle was razed in 1260 but later rebuilt. It became part of the Rohan family estate in 1407, where Louis, Duke of Rohan, was buried.

During the French Wars of Religion, it was besieged and burned in 1591, restored by Catherine de Parthenay. In 1628, Cardinal Richelieu ordered its dismantling following Henri II's leadership of Protestant forces. The castle suffered further damage during the French Revolution, serving as a barracks and prison afterward.

Over time, it passed through various owners, including Marie Bonaparte in 1918, who remodelled parts of it. Its architecture features towers and an entrance from before the 17th century, classified as a monument historique by France's Ministry of Culture. The north wing was remodelled in the 19th century.

Today, the castle houses a fresco centre and an ancient printshop, listed since 1977 as a historic monument.