Champtoceaux, formerly Châteauceaux, was one of the most important medieval fortress, vanguard of the Country of France and the Anjou, it was proudly erected on the small hill facing the Duchy of Brittany ally of England.
A 70 meters high rocky spur dominating the Loire is a perfect spot to assure military defense and commercial control.
The existence of Champtoceaux or Châteauceaux dates from the stone age; carved and polished stones were found on the site. The actual city of Champtoceaux was rebuilt a little way off the site of the medieval city "Châteauceaux" which is now abandoned since the siege and the destruction of the city in 1420.
An oppidum of 8 hectares, "Castrum Sellense", was established there. It was mentioned among the 25 main castles of Gaul by Grégoire of Tours. By the river, the harbour, "Portus selus" assured the transport of goods.
In the Vth century a bishop's palace was erected there.
And in the VIIIth century the king Pépin le Bref received the ambassadors of Almanzor, caliph of Baghdad, in the city.
Châteauceaux was part of the Poitou when in 942 it fell in the hands of Alain Barbetorte, duke of Brittany. At his death his wife married the count of Anjou, while remaining dependent of the diocese of Nantes.
In 988, Foulques Nerra, count of Anjou allowed the construction of the fortress of Châteauceaux and re-established the tollbridge on the Loire. 
Covering 30 hectares, entirely surrounded by battlements, the fortress is composed of 3 parts: the city of which one can still see the two entrance towers and the priory of St Jean, the yard where stood the stables, war machines... and the fortified castle with its double drawbridges, its two dungeons, the manorial lodgings, the Saint Peter Chapel, the well, the arched cellar...
The 1420 siege of Châteauceaux Fortress on the border of Brittany between the French anvil and the Breton hammer, Châteauceaux became the theater of many sieges:
in 1141 by Plantagenêt Geoffroy, count of Anjou,
in 1173 by Henri II Plantagenêt, king of England, - in 1224 by Pierre Mauclerc, duke of Brittany,
in 1230 and 1234 by Saint Louis, king of France,
in 1341 by the duke of Normandy, later called Jean le bon (the good),
finally in 1420, last assault and destruction of Châteauceaux... consequence of the Brittany's war of succession.
The destruction of the citadel in 1420
The Penthièvres and the Monforts argued over the ducal crown. Jean V of Montfort, lured in an ambush by Marguerite of Clisson (lady of Châteauceaux) is sequestrated in the dungeon. Freed by English allies of the Bretons, he ordered to level all with interdiction to rebuild inside the surrounding wall. The inhabitants had three days to clear off. It will take 10 years of taxes imposed to Nantes folks to annihilate the beautiful loire valley castle. More impressive than the demolition of the Bastille, Jean V wanted the foundations of his jail removed.
From then on Châteauceaux played no political role.
A thick silence fell on its desolate ruins. A village was rebuilt at the doors of the old city.
The lordship was handed over to the Grand Condé who tried without success to affiliate it to the county of Nantes.
At the time of the french revolution, the two third of the male population took part in the war of Vendée under the orders of Bonchamps. In 1794 the population were subjected to three infernal column passages, 193 people perished, the churches and dwellings were set on fire...
In the XIXth century, the fishing float is flourishing and the Harbour Hamelin now called The Patache employed 150 boatmen.
The milling, with its 11 windmills employed 65 people.
At the death of the last of the Condé, in 1830, the city is bequeathed to the duke of Aumale, fourth son of Louis-Philippe. The victor of Abd-el-Kader comes to visit his city by boat.
In the XXth century Champtoceaux rediscovers its history. The ruins of the fortified castle are now a medieval walk reminiscent of its past. This imposing site is being developed. The Medieval water mill, with its two ogival arks still guard the Loire traffic.
Champtoceaux is proud of its classified site: the Champalud, superb panorama on the Loire, prolonged by the park of the Cédraie and the "Coulée de la Luce". Many visitors are attracted by its beautiful walks, its relaxing atmosphere, its gastronomy and the good wines of the region.
An association called "Les Amis du Vieux Châteauceaux" has beeing working for more than 20 years to preserve this heritage.
