Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Maisontiers, located in the east of the village between the departmental road 137 and the stream the Taconière, finds its origins in a medieval fief. By the 13th century, the site probably belonged to the Hospital Knights. At the end of the 15th century, Claude de Montjehan acquired the existing buildings to transform them into a castle, marking the beginning of his current structure. The oldest West Wing testifies to this initial work.

In 1544, Claude de Montjehan sold the castle to Guyonne Bernard, wife of René de Tusseau, squire and lord of the Millanchère. This change of ownership inaugurates a long line of related families that will follow until today, with the exception of a brief revolutionary period when the castle becomes a national good (1792-1797). The Tusseau, then the Gaullier de Senermont, the Rambaud, the Wissocq and finally the Macé de Lépinay (since 1996) marked its history.

The castle is distinguished by its imposing moat, especially to the northeast where it reaches 110 meters long by 40 wide. Its architecture combines elements of the 15th, 16th and 19th centuries, as the stable added late. Partially ranked in 1957 for its facades and roofs, it is now fully protected, including its estate, since 2005 and 2013. Open to the public every summer, it illustrates the evolution of a poitevin seigneury throughout the centuries.

External links