Château des évêques de Poitiers

To make a day of it

Château des évêques de Poitiers stands in Chauvigny (Vienne), in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. The building is listed as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: 11th century, 14th century). Adult admission costs 14.5 EUR. Its opening hours and prices were verified at the source on September 15, 2026.

In Chauvigny, the castle of the bishops of Poitiers stands on the tip of the promontory overlooking the upper town and the Vienne valley. Built from the 11th century and later extended by the bishops who made it their stronghold, it was sold off as public property during the Revolution and quarried for stone, which accounts for its present ruined outline. A buttressed keep and a double enclosure wall remain legible among the open ruins, set within a wider medieval group that includes several neighbouring castles. An amphitheatre built into the enclosure now hosts a bird of prey show.

What to know

• The adult admission fee is 14.50 euros.
• Dogs are not allowed on site.
• The site is visited as open-air ruins, part of a wider medieval group of buildings.
• A visitor car park is located at place Louis Pagenault and a coach park on rue de Bretagne, reached via rue Saint-Pierre and Porte-Chevreau, or via rue de la Puye in summer.

Practical information

Visit duration

Not verified

Wheelchair access

Not verified

Dogs

Not allowed

Parking

A visitors' car park is located at Place Louis Pagenault and a coach park on Rue de Bretagne, accessible via Rue Saint Pierre and Porte-Chevreau (or Rue de la Puye during the summer period).

Ticket office and shop not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility due to the bridge at the entrance. Access to the performance area is possible but difficult via Rue du Crime (very steep). One reserved accessible parking space in the car park in front of the entrance.

Where this château is

Chauvigny · Vienne · Nouvelle-Aquitaine

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

86300 Chauvigny

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

Get directionsView on a map

Château phone number

+33 5 49 46 47 48

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The safest check before setting off: today’s hours, guided-tour availability, where to park.

4.6 / 5from 16 Google reviews

Heritage status

Listed historic monument (classé)

Mérimée record PA00105409

Period of construction

11th century, 14th century

Base map © IGN, Géoplateforme

Frequently asked

Château des évêques de Poitiers: how much is admission?

Adult admission is €14.50. Child: €10.50. Reduced: €8.50.

Château des évêques de Poitiers: where to buy tickets?

Tickets are sold on the château’s official ticket office, linked at the top of this page.

Can you visit the castle of the bishops of Poitiers in Chauvigny freely?

The monument has been a classified historic site since 1840 and consists of open ruins within the medieval town of Chauvigny.

Are dogs allowed at the Chauvigny castle?

No, dogs are not allowed on site.

What is the entrance fee for the bishops' castle?

The adult ticket costs 14.50 euros.

Where can you park to visit the bishops' castle in Chauvigny?

A visitor car park is at place Louis Pagenault and a coach park on rue de Bretagne, reached via rue Saint-Pierre and Porte-Chevreau, or via rue de la Puye in summer.

Sources

Identity, location and official references from Wikidata and the Mérimée register.

• This entry in Markdown
• Wikidata Q22955870
• Mérimée PA00105409
• Official website

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