First mention of *castrum* 1040 (≈ 1040)
Cited as a medieval fortified square.
XVe siècle
Construction of main house
Construction of main house XVe siècle (≈ 1550)
With staircase tower and west court.
Fin XVIe siècle
Extension of the building body
Extension of the building body Fin XVIe siècle (≈ 1695)
Added a closed gallery and turret.
26 novembre 2008
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 26 novembre 2008 (≈ 2008)
Registration by ministerial decree.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The buildings constituting the castle as well as the soil of plots OA 185 to 189, 558, in full: inscription by decree of 26 November 2008
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
The source text does not mention any names.
Origin and history
The castle of Herisson, mentioned in 1040 as a castrum, rises on a hill surrounded by ditches, near a 12th century church that probably served as a castral chapel. At the end of the Middle Ages, Herisson was a small, active town with a hall, a regular market, two inns and two churches. The castle, built between the 15th and 16th centuries, has a partially abrased polygonal enclosure, with a western courtine flanked by three round towers, without active defensive elements.
The main house, backed by the west court, probably dates back to the 15th century, just like the stairway tower. It is extended by a building of the late 16th century, with a closed gallery served by a screw turret. This house, organized on three levels, consists of two enfilade rooms per floor, illuminated by dust windows. The commons, built in appentis, complete the whole. The castle is considered one of the first examples of castles of Gâtine, alongside those of Germond and Parthenay.
Ranked a Historical Monument in 2008, the castle of Herisson is now owned by the commune of Pougne-Hérisson. Its architecture reflects a transition between the medieval fortress and the seigneurial residence, with attenuated defensive elements and comfort features characteristic of the Renaissance. The accuracy of its location is estimated as satisfactory a priori, although its exact address remains approximate according to available sources.
