What remains of Monismes Castle today ?

A tower and moats survive, together with Gothic sculptures found in the moats, including two angels bearing a coat of arms and other representations of faces and animals.

When was the castle built ?

Construction took place in the mid-15th century under the Razes family. Restoration work was carried out in 1736 and a chapel was added in 1739.

Why was the castle demolished ?

The estate was sold during the Revolution, and the land was parceled out and sold in 1860, when most of the castle structure was torn down.

Château de Monismes

Monismes Castle

Bessines-sur-Gartempe

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Where: Bessines-sur-Gartempe

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

Monismes Castle was built in the mid-15th century by the Razes family as a fortified residence set within rectangular moats. Its central block was flanked by two circular towers, representing the military architecture of its time. The castle underwent restoration in 1736 and received a chapel in 1739, before changing hands at the Revolution and being largely demolished in 1860. What remains today are a tower and the moats, alongside remarkable archaeological finds: Gothic sculptures that once decorated a gable wall, including two angels supporting a coat of arms.

What to know

The site preserves a tower and moats, along with archaeological finds including Gothic sculptures discovered during excavations.
Most of the original building was demolished in 1860; the visit focuses on the surviving remains and the plan of the former fortress.
The monument has been listed in the heritage register since 1992 and is accessible as an archaeological site.

Where this château is

Bessines-sur-Gartempe · Haute-Vienne · Nouvelle-Aquitaine

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

87250 Bessines-sur-Gartempe

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Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA00100526
Period of construction: 15th century

Frequently asked

What remains of Monismes Castle today ?: A tower and moats survive, together with Gothic sculptures found in the moats, including two angels bearing a coat of arms and other representations of faces and animals.
When was the castle built ?: Construction took place in the mid-15th century under the Razes family. Restoration work was carried out in 1736 and a chapel was added in 1739.
Why was the castle demolished ?: The estate was sold during the Revolution, and the land was parceled out and sold in 1860, when most of the castle structure was torn down.