Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Marmande is a former castle today in ruins, located in the commune of Vellèches, in the department of Vienna, in the New Aquitaine region. Built between the 11th and 12th centuries, it stands on a high hill overlooking a tributary valley of Vienna, north of Châtellerault. Its strategic location, at the edge of the hill, allowed it to control part of the poitevin plateau. The site, classified as a historic monument in 2015, includes a 32-metre dungeon topped by a watch, as well as a enclosure lined with an insulating ditch throughout the surrounding territory.

The castle was recently restored, with a company launched in January 2018. In November 2020, its watchtower was equipped with a new frame and roof, installed using a crane, while scaffolding was removed in January 2021. These interventions aim to preserve architectural remains, which reflect the evolution of a medieval fortress between the 11th and 17th centuries. The site, shared between the municipality and a private owner, is open to the public for a guided tour during the summer, providing an overview of its history and role in the region.

The castle of Marmande, which is entirely classified by decree of 20 May 2015, includes not only buildings and remains visible or buried, but also the soil of the plots concerned and the access road. His historical interest lies as much in his seniority as in the great French families which have possessed him over the centuries. The remaining architectural elements of high quality bear witness to medieval construction techniques and their adaptation to the defensive needs of the time.

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