Origins of the castle XIIIe siècle (≈ 1350)
Presumed initial construction period.
XVe siècle
Architectural developments
Architectural developments XVe siècle (≈ 1550)
Period of major changes.
XVIIe siècle
Latest known transformations
Latest known transformations XVIIe siècle (≈ 1750)
Subsequent adjustment periods.
1988
Registration of the hydraulic system
Registration of the hydraulic system 1988 (≈ 1988)
Protection by order of 21 December 1988.
1989
Amendment of the protection order
Amendment of the protection order 1989 (≈ 1989)
Order of 20 November 1989.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Façades and roofs, including those of the entrance porch with its two towers; terrace, grills, French garden (cad. A 667, 678) : entry by order of 6 December 1982 ; Water system (drinking) (Case A 670): registration by order of 20 November 1989
Origin and history
The Château de la Roussière, situated on horseback in the communes of Saint-Maixent-de-Beugné and Coulonges-sur-l'Autize (Deux-Sèvres), is a monument dating back to the 13th, 15th and 17th centuries. Its remains bear witness to a continuous occupation and architectural evolutions marked by these three key periods. The site is now recognized for its hydraulic system, protected by a registration order in 1988, then modified in 1989, highlighting its heritage and technical importance.
The location of the castle, in the former Poitou-Charentes region (now New Aquitaine), reflects a historical context where fortified buildings played a central role in the territorial and social organization. In the 13th and 15th centuries, this region was marked by local conflicts and power stakes, while the hydraulic systems, such as that of the Dusty, illustrated the ingenuity of the agricultural and defensive techniques of the time. These elements were often linked to water resource management, which was essential for surrounding rural communities.
Available data indicate that the castle is partially accessible, although practical information on the visits or services offered (such as guest rooms) is not specified in the sources consulted. The approximate location, noted as "passable" (level 5/10), suggests that additional checks may be required for an accurate site identification. The associated Insee code (79101) confirms its anchoring in the Deux-Sèvres department, near Niort.
No historical character or specific event is mentioned in the sources for this monument. The emphasis is on its architecture and hydraulic system, typical of the technical adaptations of medieval and modern castles in Poitou. These developments often reflected the need for irrigation, defence or economic exploitation of surrounding lands.
The protection of the hydraulic system by the Historical Monuments in 1988-1989 underscores the heritage value of this castle, although the details of its current state or contemporary uses remain limited. The sources (Monumentum, Mérimée base) provide a documentary base, but call for further research for a more complete history of this site.
The region of New Aquitaine, rich in castles and medieval heritage, offers a favourable setting for the discovery of this type of monuments. The Château de la Roussière is thus part of a wider network of historical sites, often linked to feudal history and the rural dynamics of past centuries.
