Construction of dungeon vers 1460 (≈ 1460)
Square dungeon and built mâchicoulis towers.
XVIIe siècle
Adding the house
Adding the house XVIIe siècle (≈ 1750)
Transformation into less fortified residence.
2 octobre 1930
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 2 octobre 1930 (≈ 1930)
Protection of the "remnants" of the castle.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Château de la Messelière (the remains): inscription by order of 2 October 1930
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character mentioned
Sources insufficient to identify historical actors.
Origin and history
The Château de la Messelière, located in the commune of Queaux (Vienna, Nouvelle-Aquitaine), dates back to about 1460. From this medieval period remains mainly a three-storey square dungeon, reinforced at the corners by four towers crowned with mâchicoulis. This type of defensive architecture illustrates the military techniques of the 15th century, adapted to local conflicts and the protection needs of lords.
The house attached to the dungeon, on the other hand, seems to date from the seventeenth century, indicating a later transformation of the castle into a less fortified residence and more adapted to the lifestyles of modern times. This reflects the decline in defence needs after the Renaissance and the emergence of more residential concerns among rural aristocracy.
Ranked Historic Monument by order of 2 October 1930, the castle of the Messelière is today protected for its "remnants", bearing witness to its heritage importance. Its inscription in the Merimée base under the code Insee 86203 (Vienna) confirms its anchoring in the Poitevin territory, marked by a feudal and post-feudal rich history. No information is available on its current accessibility (visits, rentals, accommodation).
