This impressive 13th-century castle, attributed to the legendary fairy Melusine, was at the heart of the struggles between the Capetian kings of France and the Plantagenet kings of England. It controlled the crossing of the Sèvre Niortaise River, the southern border of the lords of Parthenay-Larchevêque.
Its last owner, Pierre du Dresnay de la Taillée, sold it in June 2000 to the Niort Urban Community for a symbolic sum of one franc. Since then, extensive restoration work has been carried out, and more is underway.
Current archaeological studies rank it as the best-preserved 13th-century castle in France and England.
A unique castle in Europe...
An architectural model for its time, it offers several unique features:
- 14 rooms in an exceptional state of preservation, including 12 vaulted ceilings.
Varied architectural styles:
- Ribbed vault on column, Ribbed vault on base, Ribbed vault + lierne + top and decorated with sculpted heads, 8-pointed radiant vault, Cupola,
- Inverted pointed barrel vault, Cul-de-four vault (not visible to visitors),
- Almond vault, Cloister arch vault
- 8 rooms open to the public.
- 6 towers: Bois Berthier tower, double tower, Saint-Michel tower, Portal tower, Moulin tower and the main tower, including 2 almond towers,
- A peripheral shaft in the upper courtyard (corridor within the walls)
And unique in Europe...
- A winch drawbridge.
- A mysterious fortress with remarkable defenses.
Listed as a Historic Monument in 1952 and 1954, it has been the focus of the Friends of the Château du Coudray-Salbart Association since 1961. Created with the aim of preserving the château and a member of the national association "R.E.M.P.A.R.T.", the association organized volunteer rescue, restoration, and consolidation projects from 1978 to 2000, along with excavations that led to various projects and the discovery of numerous artifacts.
During your visit, you can stroll through the gardens, learn more about daily life in the Middle Ages, and participate in cultural events organized throughout the year by the Friends of the Château du Coudray-Salbart Association. These events offer the opportunity to stroll through the château courtyard to the sound of medieval music, in costume, by lantern light, or even watch knights perform demonstrations of combat.
Coudray-Salbart Castle
Chemin de Salbart
79410 Échiré
Tel.: +33 5 49 25 71 07
