Throughout the Middle Ages, Châtillon sur Loire lived constant struggles between the power holders : kings of France, earls of Sancerre, monks of Fleury (today Abbey of St Benoît).This protestant fortified place underwent 7 attacks or sieges (1560/1590) during the wars of religion. The protestant church was one of the first built in France, then destroyed by orders of Louis the 14th.
St-Maurice church, neo-gothic style from the end of the 19th century, has beautiful stained-glass windows, a polychrome wooden statue of the Virgin and Child (1628) and a gilt-wood tabernacle (1792). At n°4, “rue des Près”, a listed Italian renaissance style house (16th century) with two carved polychrome medallion.
Renaissance town house (45, Grande Rue)
Typical winegrowers’ houses from the 16th and 17th centuries. (St Vincent’s road, outskirts of Nancray).
Timber-frame houses in the old quarters. Château Gaillard ruins (12th century) in the upper town, timber-frame houses, alleys.
The protestant church : this building was during the 12th century, the tithe barn of St Benoit’s monks, whose Abbot was at that time Lord of Châtillon.
“Ecluse et bassin de Mantelot” : Lock of Mantelot : ancient Loire crossing during the 19th century : a listed site.
The junction between the canal lateral to the Loire and Briare’s canal needed a Loire crossing. The town of Chatillon-sur-Loire was chosen for the building of this lock, nevertheless it was a most tricky crossing.
The city also houses :
Préhistory and History museum.
3 216 inhabitants
Mayor : Mr Emmanuel RAT
Enquiries : Rue de l’Hôtel – 45360 Châtillon sur Loire
Tel : 02 38 31 40 54
Fax : 02 38 31 17 49
Email :
Web : consult the website
Opening to the public of the City Hall hours
Monday to Friday : from 8:30 am to 12 pm and from 1 : 30 pm to 5:30 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm.