When was Chiré-en-Montreuil castle built?

The complex dates from the 14th and 15th centuries. The gatehouse, with two towers connected by a watch turret, is dated to 1583; a staircase added behind the gateway in 1644 connects this structure to the main lodging.

Why does this castle have no keep?

Built for defence, it relies on a polygonal enclosure flanked by several towers of varying shapes, with a moat and a triangular outer ward, a rare regional system that made a central keep unnecessary.

What is the castle's current state of preservation?

The site had partially collapsed by 1974. The north wing has completely disappeared, the lodging is ruined but retains moulded windows from the 16th century and fireplaces from the 17th century. The towers and curtain walls preserve their gun ports and arrow slits.

Château de Chiré-en-Montreuil

Chiré-en-Montreuil Castle

Chiré-en-Montreuil

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Hours to be confirmed

Where: Chiré-en-Montreuil

Hours and prices not verified at the source yet.

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Château de Marconnay (Marconnay Castle)Open to visitors15 km
Château de Montreuil-Bonnin (Montreuil-Bonnin Castle)July 1 to 4, 2025; August 23 to September 30, 2025; group visits year-round by reservation9 km
Ancien Palais des Comtes de PoitiersDuring the works, only the Grande salle is open to visitors; on weekdays (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday); weekends, public holidays and school holidays19 km

Sleep nearby

Château de Chiré-en-Montreuil stands in Chiré-en-Montreuil (Vienne), in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: 15th century, second half of the 17th century). Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

Overlooking a rocky outcrop in the Vienne department, Chiré-en-Montreuil castle dates from the 14th and 15th centuries. Built without a keep, it consists of a polygonal enclosure flanked by round, horseshoe-shaped and square towers, a regional rarity. Partially ruined, the complex retains its 1583 gatehouse, 16th-century lodgings and traces of its defensive system: gun ports, arrow slits and a moat.

What to know

The building rises on a naturally defended outcrop, without fortifications on its north and east flanks.
The gatehouse bears the date 1583 carved between two drawbridge grooves.
The north wing that once enclosed the inner courtyard has completely disappeared; some sections remain partially collapsed.
The towers and curtain walls feature gun ports and arrow slits dating from the late 15th or early 16th century.

Where this château is

Chiré-en-Montreuil · Vienne · Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Map of the area around Château de Chiré-en-Montreuil

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

2 bis Rue Moulin Rochefort, 86190 Chiré-en-Montreuil

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Château phone number

+33 5 49 51 84 50

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4.4 / 5from 46 Google reviews

Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA86000008
Period of construction: 15th century, second half of the 17th century

Frequently asked

When was Chiré-en-Montreuil castle built?: The complex dates from the 14th and 15th centuries. The gatehouse, with two towers connected by a watch turret, is dated to 1583; a staircase added behind the gateway in 1644 connects this structure to the main lodging.
Why does this castle have no keep?: Built for defence, it relies on a polygonal enclosure flanked by several towers of varying shapes, with a moat and a triangular outer ward, a rare regional system that made a central keep unnecessary.
What is the castle's current state of preservation?: The site had partially collapsed by 1974. The north wing has completely disappeared, the lodging is ruined but retains moulded windows from the 16th century and fireplaces from the 17th century. The towers and curtain walls preserve their gun ports and arrow slits.