Photo : Spouik / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Château de Saint-Mesmin
The castle of Saint-Mesmin, a medieval fortress listed as a historic monument since 1993, stands in the commune of Saint-André-sur-Sèvre, in the Deux-Sèvres. Rebuilt around 1370 by Pierre de Montfaucon, knight and lord of Saint-Mesmin, it was heavily fortified at the end of the 14th century.
It has the charm of a small military fortress combined with the growing concern for comfort of the late Middle Ages. A 28-metre keep crowned with machicolations, gunports, a drawbridge and the remains of hoardings bear witness to the military architecture of this Hundred Years' War fortress. In July and August, daily medieval activities offer an unusual way to discover it, with workshops for children and adults. Guided or self-guided visits.
