Castles in Vendée
Carte des Châteaux lists 102 castles, manor houses and fortified sites in Vendée. 5 are reported as open to the public, at least in part. 27 are military sites: castles, fortresses, citadels or keeps. The towns with the most entries are Sèvremont (4), Les Herbiers (3), Montaigu-Vendée (3) and Sainte-Gemme-la-Plaine (3). Among the 63 dated entries, construction ranges from the 11th to the 21st century, peaking in the 16th.
Map of castles in Vendée
At a glance
- 102
- castles listed
- 5
- open to visitors
- 27
- castles and fortified sites
- 27
- in the Mérimée heritage database
Must-see castles in Vendée
The most complete entries for this area: verified documentation, photographs and visitor information.
Logis de la Chabotterie
1501
Château de Commequiers
fin XVe siècle
Château d'Apremont
1975
Logis et chapelle de l'Audrière
XVe siècle
Vieux-Château des Essarts
XIIe-XIIIe siècles
Château de la Preuille
1001
Centuries of construction
Based on the 63 entries with a known construction date, out of 102.
The oldest dated castles in Vendée
- Château de TiffaugesXIe siècle · Tiffauges
- Château de la Preuille1001 · Montaigu-Vendée
- Château ancien de La GarnacheXIe-XIIIe siècles · La Garnache
- Château de PouzaugesXIIe siècle · Pouzauges
List of castles in Vendée
102 sites shown
Château de Tiffauges
Donjon de Bazoges-en-Pareds
Château de Beaumarchais
Château de l'Audardière
Château de la Brunière
1984
Château de la Guignardière
1555
Château d'Ardelay
Château de la Grève
1984
Vieux-château de l'Île d'Yeu
1301
Château de Noirmoutier
fin XIe siècle
Château de Pouzauges
XIIe siècle
Château de Sainte-Hermine
Château de Terre Neuve
Château de l'Echasserie
Château Saint-Clair
1101
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Explore castles by territory
Search for a castle or a town, find it on the map, then open its entry: history, architecture, related people, visitor information and sources.
Castles by town
Other departments in Pays de la Loire
Frequently asked questions
How many castles are there in Vendée?
Carte des Châteaux currently lists 102 castles, manor houses and fortified sites in Vendée. The number grows as new entries are checked and published.
Which castles can you visit in Vendée?
Entries reported as open to the public include Logis de la Chabotterie, Château de Commequiers, Château d'Apremont and Vieux-Château des Essarts. Opening times and prices vary, so check each castle’s official website before visiting.
Are there medieval fortresses in Vendée?
Yes: 27 entries are identified as a castle, fortress, citadel or keep, for example Château de l'Echasserie, Château de Noirmoutier and Château de Pouzauges.
What is the oldest dated castle in Vendée?
Among the entries with a known construction date, Château de Tiffauges (XIe siècle) is the oldest. Other sites without a precise date may be older.