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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Doride Castle, located in Nueil-les-Aubiers (Deux-Sèvres), has its origins between the 14th and 15th centuries. It presents defensive elements typical of this period, such as medieval towers and a granite bridge dated 1761. The estate, originally owned by the family of La Ville de Ferolles, was sold as a national property in the year VII (1798–99) during the French Revolution.

In the 19th century, the castle underwent major changes. A fire in 1793 destroyed the 17th century main building, replaced in 1835 by a new construction. Common wings, dating from the 17th to 18th centuries, include stables added in 1850. The site also includes an orange grove and partially preserved moat, protected since the monument was registered in 1986.

The castle changed several times after the Revolution: the Gueneau family of the Formanor, then the family of La Garde, succeeded it. Its architecture thus reflects a superimposition of styles, from medieval remains to additions of the 19th century, illustrating the evolution of a local seigneury throughout the centuries.

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