Château de Parthenay was built during the 13th century whose remains are still visible to this day. The castle was built on a rock by the side of the river. A citadel was built around the castle which was only accessible through the Saint Jacques gate. The gate and the city walls are still largely intact. There is another gate at the other side of the city, the Tour de l'Horloge gate. Both gates have characteristic almond-shaped towers. In total, the citadel has over 30 defensive towers, 4 entrance gates and a defensive wall with a length of over 1km.
References:The Château du Lude is one of the many great châteaux of the Loire Valley in France. Le Lude is the most northerly château of the Loire Valley and one of the last important historic castles in France, still inhabited by the same family for the last 260 years. The château is testimony to four centuries of French architecture, as a stronghold transformed into an elegant house during the Renaissance and the 18th century. The monument is located in the valley of Le Loir. Its gardens have evolved throughout the centuries.