Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Comquiers, mentioned from the 11th century, was initially a castral motte linked to the Viscounts of Thouars. Urvoidus, the first known lord, founded a barony in which several local parishes dominated. In the 12th century, the seigneury passed to the Montaigu, allied with the Plantagenes, before being sold to the Forest in the 13th century. The latter, then the Jousseaume by marriage, made it a strategic fiefdom until the 15th century.

The major reconstruction of the castle was initiated by Louis de Beaumont-Bressuire (1407–77) after his marriage to Jeanne Jousseaume in 1440. The new octagonal building, with eight round towers adapted to artillery, was built of white stone from Sallertaine on the old mound. This ring dungeon, surrounded by moat, symbolized the power of the Beaumonts, faithful to Louis XI. The fortress then became the property of the Bellay (including the poet Joachim), then of the La Tremoille.

In 1628, by order of Richelieu, the castle was dismantled after the fight of Riez, like other places for sale. Ranked a Historical Monument in 1926 (and then in 2023 for its dungeon), its ruins today welcome medieval animations. The Association Les Amis du Vieux château continues its history during costumed parties, attracting more than 500 extras each first weekend in August.

Architecturally, the octagonal high court, with machicoulis towers and cannons on three levels, illustrates the transition between medieval defence and adaptations to firearms. The flared bases of the walls (glacis) reinforced the structure against the saps. A wooden courtyard, now extinct, was complete together, typical of the fortresses of the late Middle Ages.

The seigneury changed hands several times by inheritances and sales: from the Montaigu (XIe–XIIIe) to the La Forest (XIVe), then to the Bellay (1478–1627), before being acquired by the La Tremeille. In the 18th century, it passed to the Montmorency-Luxembourg, then to the Ridellières before the Revolution. These changes reflect noble alliances and territorial strategies in Lower Loire.

External links