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Origin and history

Loudun Castle, located in the department of Vienna in New Aquitaine, is a medieval vestige whose square tower is the most remarkable element. Ranked a historic monument since 1877, this tower with thick walls (1.80 m) and without windows probably served as an observation post. Its construction, originally attributed to Foulques Nerra (Xth century), is now in question: recent excavations (2018) suggest a later origin, between 1152 and 1179, possibly linked to Henry II Plantagenet or his brother. The beams dated from this period and the absence of wells or openings reinforce the hypothesis of a military function.

In 1628, the castle was dismantled by order of Louis XIII, as part of the repression of the Protestant revolts led by Richelieu. Only the square tower escaped destruction, symbolizing royal power and calming religious tensions. The foundations of a circular dungeon, discovered after 1945, were covered for conservation, but their location remains visible. A section of the ramparts, to the south, also survived, recalling the original extent of the fortress.

A major renovation was undertaken in 2017, mobilizing more than 200,000 m3 of stone to restore the tower. This project has made it possible to clarify its history through preventive archaeological excavations. Today, the square tower still dominates the Louduna landscape, offering a rare testimony of 12th century defensive architecture. Its irregular plane (exterior surfaces between 9.50 m and 10.40 m) and its height of 30 m make it an unusual example of medieval dungeons.

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