Château de Pouancé

Pouancé (Ombrée d'Anjou)

On the border of Anjou and Brittany, Pouancé preserves one of the largest fortresses of Anjou: about three hectares, the largest after that of Angers. A “comital vicar” is mentioned here around 1050, but the origins remain uncertain: authors cite Manguinoë or Fulk Nerra. The schist castle dates from the late 12th or early 13th century. Peter II of Valois raised a great tower there between 1371 and 1379. A frontier stronghold, it changed hands by force: in 1379 Duke John IV of Brittany took it by treachery; it was besieged in 1432 by John V of Brittany, then in 1443 by the English of the duke of Somerset. In 1488 nearly 12,000 men of the royal army, under La Trémoille, assembled there before the siege of Châteaubriant, a stage in the annexation of Brittany to the kingdom. The château then lost its military role. In the 18th century inhabitants demolished the entrance gatehouse, filled in the ditches and built in the upper court. The towers gave way little by little: the Criminal tower in 1915, the Mill tower in 1936, then other collapses in 1982 and 1995. The date of listing (1926 or 1929) varies between passages of the source; in-depth archaeological study is still lacking.

Getting there: Ruins in the town centre of Pouancé. A tourist source indicates that the visit must be arranged in advance with the tourist office: to be checked before coming. Coordinates: château in OpenStreetMap (Nominatim), consistent with those of Wikipedia (47°44′29″ N, 1°10′30″ W).

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

Ambient sound