Château de Sigournais

The lordship of Sigournais has existed since at least 1050. It was then the property of Zacharie de Pouzauges, a vassal of the vicomtes de Thouars. In the 12th century, a priory dedicated to Saint-Saturnin was built within the walls of the castellum. Issues of cohabitation with the castle's inhabitants arose. Moreover, the current castle, built by Guyard de Sainte-Flayve, came into existence thanks to the relocation of the priory outside the enclosure.

Nothing remains visible from the ancient fortress of the 12th century; the foundations in the ground are located a bit further to the north, with the current castle covering a part of them.

The current castle, constructed under Guyard de Sainte-Flayve, dates from the late 15th century and has an almost pentagonal shape. This enclosure consists of curtain walls flanked by eight round towers and a large gatehouse tower. A dry moat carved into the limestone surrounds it all. The gatehouse tower serves as both a fortified entrance (gatehouse) and a main tower (keep). It consists of a large rectangular tower flanked by two round towers on each side, all crowned with a battlemented walkway on machicolations. The entrance corridor is divided into two entrances, one for carts and one for pedestrians. On the outside, a fixed bridge was extended by a cart bridge and a pedestrian drawbridge, side by side. Inside the gatehouse tower, there were two levels. On the first level, there was a guard room and a vestibule. Canon openings were arranged in the thickness of the wall. On the second level, accessible by the spiral staircase in the South flanking tower, there was a room serving both as a reception hall and as the lord's residence, separated by a wall was a chamber.

A large pentagonal courtyard was protected by walls and towers, crowned with crenellated battlements on machicolations, and probably served as a bailey (outer courtyard). Some buildings were attached to the ramparts, such as stables, kitchens, a bakery, forge, etc.

Address

Rue de la Boimerie 5, Sigournais, France

Details

Founded: 15th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in France