The 10 most beautiful castles in Vendée
10 châteaux
Chosen among 101 recorded castles
What to see in Vendée when you only have a weekend: the 10 most visited castles according to their visitors’ reviews, among those open to the public whose visiting conditions we checked on the official website. For each: what you see, the entry price, the link to the full entry.
Ranked by attendance, from the number of Google reviews. “Beautiful” is your word; what we measure is what visitors choose.
No. 1
Château du Puy-du-Fou
Les Epesses
The Château du Puy-du-Fou, in Les Epesses, Vendée, combines the remains of a medieval fortress with an unfinished Renaissance wing.
No. 2
Château de Talmont
Talmont-Saint-Hilaire
Perched on a rocky spur above Talmont-Saint-Hilaire, this ruined medieval castle bears the marks of nearly six centuries of successive building work, from a keep born out of an old church bell tower to defensive additions made during the Renaissance.
No. 3
Château de Noirmoutier (Noirmoutier Castle)
Noirmoutier-en-l'Île
On the island of Noirmoutier, this 11th-century fortress overlooks the town of Noirmoutier-en-l'Île from its keep, which rises to nearly 20 metres. Together with the neighbouring church, it is the only surviving trace of the island's former abbey.
No. 4
Château de Commequiers (Commequiers Castle)
Commequiers
In Commequiers, Vendée, the ruins of a former stronghold rise from a stretch of water that surrounds them almost entirely. The site was first mentioned in the 11th century, though what remains today reflects work carried out in the 15th century.
No. 5
Château de la Chabotterie
Montréverd
The logis de la Chabotterie stands in Montréverd, in the Vendée region, on the grounds where Vendée general Charette was captured in March 1796. This Bas-Poitou manor house, with roots going back to the 14th century, retains its courtyard of honour, its entrance postern and its north pavilion flanked by corner towers.
No. 6
Château d'Apremont (Apremont Castle)
Apremont
Perched on a rocky spur above the Vie valley, the ruins of Apremont castle combine remains of a medieval stronghold with what is left of one of the earliest Renaissance residences in the Vendée region.
No. 7
Château de Pouzauges (Pouzauges Castle)
Pouzauges
In Pouzauges, on a hill overlooking the Vendée countryside, stand the remains of a fortified castle built between the 11th and 13th centuries by the viscounts of Thouars. The ruined keep, standing 25 metres tall, survives within an enclosure that once had twelve towers linked by curtain walls.
Adult €3Hours, prices and access
No. 8
Château de Bazoges-en-Pareds
Bazoges-en-Pareds
The keep of Bazoges-en-Pareds rises above this Vendée village, built from 1380 onward by the Girard family on the site of an earlier stronghold. Seven stacked floors, some vaulted and fitted with carved fireplaces, lead up through the tower.
No. 9
Château de Sigournais (Sigournais Castle)
Sigournais
The château de Sigournais displays medieval military architecture largely preserved in the Vendée region, reworked in the 15th century on the foundations of an earlier stronghold. Visitors can see moats, a polygonal enclosure, towers and a covered wall-walk fitted with machicolations and gunports.
No. 10
Château-Neuf de Sigournais
Sigournais
Château-Neuf de Sigournais, in the Vendée region, takes its name from its reconstruction in the early 19th century on the site of a vanished medieval stronghold.
Every castle in Vendée (101)Which ones open this weekend?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the most beautiful castle in Vendée?
- The most visited in Vendée is Château du Puy-du-Fou, first in this selection according to its visitors’ reviews. All 10 castles listed are open to visitors with checked hours.
- How much does a visit cost?
- The adult entry price is shown under each castle when the official website publishes it; 0 of these castles are free.
- How is this selection made?
- Among the 101 castles recorded in Vendée, we keep those open to the public with a photo, then rank by number of Google reviews. No castle pays to appear.