En un regard
Le château en bref
On the heights of Scorbé-Clairvaux, in the north of the Vienne department, Haut-Clairvaux preserves the remains of a major medieval castle site. Its great tower, some 28 metres high, and its 12th-century Romanesque castle chapel are its principal features; together they make it possible to trace the evolution of military and religious architecture between the 11th and 14th centuries. Local heritage interpretation links the stronghold to Richard the Lionheart, then Count of Poitou, although the details of his role have not been established. The chapel and the keep have been classified as historic monuments since 1926, and the archaeological remains were listed (inscrits) in 2024. The site has been the subject of recent archaeological excavations and of outreach by the Pays d'art et d'histoire of Grand Châtellerault, including school visits and openings during the European Heritage Days.