When was the keep of Roche-Elie built ?

The keep dates from the fifteenth century and formed the base of a large square tower belonging to a castle of which nothing else survives.

What can be seen on the site today ?

You can observe the square tower with its corner turrets, as well as the arrow slits and window openings in the walls. Remains of a Renaissance dwelling were located near the keep.

Why has the castle disappeared ?

Only the keep has survived; the rest of the castle vanished over the centuries, leaving behind only this tower and the remains of the nearby Renaissance building.

Donjon de la Roche-Elie

Messé

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Messé

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Château d'Épanvilliers (Épanvilliers Castle)Open to visitors7 km

Sleep nearby

Donjon de la Roche-Elie stands in Messé (Deux-Sèvres), in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: 15th century). The building is privately owned and no visits are on record.

The keep of Roche-Elie, built in the fifteenth century at Messé, is what remains of an old castle that has since disappeared. This solid square tower is reinforced at its corners by projecting turrets, and its walls bear the marks of its defensive past with arrow slits and former window openings. A Renaissance dwelling once stood near the keep, of which only traces remain.

What to know

The monument has been listed as a historic site since 1943.
No information about visiting hours is currently available.
Access to the site and visiting conditions are not documented.

Where this château is

Messé · Deux-Sèvres · Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Map of the area around Donjon de la Roche-Elie

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Messé, Deux-Sèvres

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

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Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA00101272
Period of construction: 15th century

Frequently asked

When was the keep of Roche-Elie built ?: The keep dates from the fifteenth century and formed the base of a large square tower belonging to a castle of which nothing else survives.
What can be seen on the site today ?: You can observe the square tower with its corner turrets, as well as the arrow slits and window openings in the walls. Remains of a Renaissance dwelling were located near the keep.
Why has the castle disappeared ?: Only the keep has survived; the rest of the castle vanished over the centuries, leaving behind only this tower and the remains of the nearby Renaissance building.