Tour Mélusine

Vouvant, France

The Tour Mélusine is the keep of a former castle in the commune of Vouvant. This keep and watchtower, built at the end of the 12th century or the beginning of the 13th century, is the only vestige of the ancient castle of the Lords of Lusignan built in the present location. This castle was separated from the fortified town of Vouvant by a moat. A chapel, long gone, was leaning against the tower.

This tower, 45 m high from the ditch and with its cylindrical shape, is original from that time. Indeed, the majority of the castles of this region and of this time are of the 'Niortais' style (a square tower with round towers at each corner).

The keep has a square base, which indicates the height of the curtain wall that surrounded the courtyard of the castle, which is today the Place du Bail ('bail' meaning 'fortified enclosure').

References:

Wikipedia

Address

Place du Bail 85120, Vouvant, France

See all sites in Vouvant

Details

Founded: c. 1242
Category: Castles and fortifications in France
Historical period: Late Capetians (France)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Vieux-Port (54,9 km)
Grosse Horloge (54,7 km)
Château de Niort (36,3 km)
La Rochelle Cathedral (54,4 km)
Maillezais Cathedral and Abbey Ruins (22,3 km)
Château de Saint-Mesmin (25,5 km)
Château de Tiffauges (55,7 km)
Saint-Vincent de Nieul-sur-l'Autise Abbey (18,3 km)
Luçon Cathedral (33 km)

User Reviews

Céline Mochée (4 months ago)
Very beautiful site in a green setting conducive to very beautiful walks ?

damien (4 months ago)
Vouvant is a pretty Vendée village to visit, you also have a nice little walk to do. Some artisans will be able to welcome you in their superb shops. Enjoy your visit

Véronique Bisson (5 months ago)
Beautiful places I recommend to discover I loved the little village ?☀️?

Nelly Peyre (5 months ago)
This old keep, with a height of 45 m, still stands despite its "great age" located on a square, it can be visited giving an overview of the village, the Porte de la Poterne and the ramparts of Vouvant

Jessica (8 months ago)
A big thank you to the young man from the Tourist Office. We were able to visit the Tower and the lair of the fairy Mélusine. The scenography is very nice. The legend is fascinating.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright w_lemay

Historic Site of the week

Temple of Edfu

The Temple of Edfu is one of the best preserved ancient shrines in Egypt. It was built in the Ptolemaic Kingdom between 237 and 57 BC.

Edfu was one of several temples built during the Ptolemaic Kingdom, including the Dendera Temple complex, Esna, the Temple of Kom Ombo, and Philae. Its size reflects the relative prosperity of the time. The present temple initially consisted of a pillared hall, two transverse halls, and a barque sanctuary surrounded by chapels. The building was started during the reign of Ptolemy III Euergetes and completed in 57 BC under Ptolemy XII Auletes. It was built on the site of an earlier, smaller temple also dedicated to Horus, although the previous structure was oriented east–west rather than north–south as in the present site.