Origins of the seigneury Fin XIe siècle (≈ 1195)
First mention of the seigneury of Bournezeau.
Avril 1681
Creation of the Marquisat
Creation of the Marquisat Avril 1681 (≈ 1681)
Jean de Creil obtained the elevation in marquisat.
1ère moitié XVIIIe siècle
Construction of the current castle
Construction of the current castle 1ère moitié XVIIIe siècle (≈ 1850)
Period of reconstruction of the castle.
3 juillet 2020
Classification of municipalities
Classification of municipalities 3 juillet 2020 (≈ 2020)
Registration of gardens and commons at MH.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The following parts of the former château de Bournezeau, as delimited by a red line and a full/flat on the plan annexed to the decree and shown in the cadastre of section AC on the following parcels listed: the commons ( stables and barn): on Parcel AC No. 174, - the soil corresponding to the right-of-way of the "large garden" on Parcel AC No. 685, - the soil corresponding to the right-of-way of the "low garden" with its ditches: on Parcels AC Nos. 178 to 181: inscription by order of 3 July 2020
Key figures
Jean de Creil - Requester
Obtained the marquisat in 1681.
Marie de Creil (1716–1780) - Duchess of Beauvilliers
Last direct heir of the Marquisat.
Michel-Pierre-François d'Argouges - Crown Cousin
Send the estate to the Talmonts.
Origin and history
The old château de Bournezeau was a castle located in the present village of Bournezeau, facing the Place de la Mairie and near the church. It belonged to the seigneury of Bournezeau, dependent on the Viscounty of Thouars, and already existed at the end of the eleventh century. The family of Blois-Penthièvre, linked to this seigneury, would have given its former name Bleais to the village.
Over the centuries, the seigneury extended over a vast territory including communes such as Saint-Ouen-des-Gâts, Saint-Vincent-Fort-du-Lay or Thorigny. In 1681, Jean de Creil, master of petitions, obtained the elevation of the Barony in Marquisat. The estate then passed to Marie de Creil (1716–80), wife of the Duke of Saint-Aignan, then to his cousin Michel-Pierre-François d'Argouges, whose daughter married the Prince of Talmont.
The present castle, built in the first half of the eighteenth century, preserves only remains of the former fortified building. Its commons and gardens, registered as historic monuments in 2020, bear witness to its past importance. The site, a communal property, is located Place des Trois Canons, near the abbey and the church of Bournezeau.
