Château de Pouzauges

Pouzauges

Standing on a hill in the upper bocage of the Vendée, the old castle of Pouzauges was raised in the 11th century by the Zacharie de Pouzauges family, before passing to the Chantemerles, to Savary de Mauléon and then to the viscounts of Thouars. Its 12th-century Romanesque keep, more than 25 metres high, stands within a 355-metre curtain wall punctuated by twelve towers. In the 15th century, Catherine de Thouars brought the fortress as a dowry to her husband Gilles de Rais, a lord of sinister renown whose shadow still draws lovers of dark tales; remaining at Pouzauges, she turned the military keep into a residence, fitting it with elegant carved fireplaces and windows with stone window seats. Sold in 1634 to the lords of La Pélissonnière, at Le Boupère, the castle remained in their line until the mid-20th century. Listed as historic monuments as early as 1862, its ruins now dominate the town and offer one of the finest panoramas over the Vendée countryside: the park is open to walkers all year round, while the restored keep can be discovered on a guided tour during the summer season, or all year round for groups by reservation.

Getting there : Rue du Vieux-Château, 85700 Pouzauges; park freely accessible all year round (picnic tables, panorama), keep by guided tour in season on reservation, groups all year round (02 51 91 82 46).

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound