The Château de Pouzauges is a ruined castle in the town and commune of Pouzauges in the Vendée département of France.
Notably, it was inhabited in the 15th century by Catherine de Thouars, wife of Gilles de Rais (1404 – 1440), though he never lived there, preferring the Château de Tiffauges.
History
In the 11th century, the castle belonged to the family of Zacharie de Pouzauges, from who it passed it to the enigmtic Chantemerle family and then to the famous Savary family of Mauléon and finally to the Viscounts of Thouars, who administered nearly the whole of Vendée; they gave the castle to a cadet son who also owned Tiffauges.
Catherine de Thouars brought the castle into the possession of Gilles de Rais thanks to their marriage. She was going to live there after his death. Under the aegis of Catherine, the keep underwent many alterations to make it more comfortable as a residence. A new floor was added as well as a spiral staircase linking it to all the others. Several windows were made, replacing the older arrowslits, to give more light to the interior.
The castle was sold in 1634 to the lord of La Pélissonnière au Boupère. His descendants kept it until the mid-20th century.
During the War in the Vendée (1793-1794), the men of the "infernal columns" commanded by General Lachenay shot 31 in habitants of Pouzauges who had taken refuge in the enceinte of the old castle. This act was committed on 26 January 1794 at the end of a banquet offered by the republican to General Grignon. On the same day, the surrounding villages were burnt and a number of inhabitants were massacred.
Architecture
The castle ruins are dominated by its majestic 12th century keep.
The keep, more than 25 metres high, is one of twelve towers that make the curtain wall, offering visitors a fine example of civil Romanesque architecture.
It has been listed since 1862 as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture.

Château de Pouzauges

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Pierre de Montfaucon, lord of this castle, had it built around 1370. The seigniory then depended on Guillaume Larchevêque, Lord of Parthenay. During this period, the castle was surrounded by a moat, supplied by the (still existing) river “le Sevreau”. The Montfaucon family fortified the castle in the 15th century by adding the impressive 28 metre keep. The castle was mainly a place of residence.
Four family came after, the Montfaucon family in the 16th , 17th and 18th centuries, the Duplessis, Vaudrey de Saint Phal, Petit de la Guierche and Vasselot families also lived in the castle. 
Incidentally, it was in the 17th century that the castle had its largest architectural reorganization: windows, doors, fireplaces, tiling and roofing. 
The moats were later drained in the 18th century. The Vasselot family, the last owners of the castle, left in 1766.
Château de Saint-Mesmin was never subjected to acts of war in the Middle Ages. The only known siege was during the War in the Vendée. In February 1796, around forty royalist inhabitants of the Vendée took refuge in the castle. They resisted the republican army for four days, but had to surrender when they ran out of provisions. The castle was sold as a bien national (national property) in 1798.
The Proust family bought it with its estate in 1818. It was used as a military hospital in the First World War. Although it was listed in the French supplementary inventory of historic monuments in 1943, it slowly deteriorated. The creation of the Château de Saint-Mesmin Association gave a new lease of life to the castle.
Indeed, in 1990, Mr Paul Proust, the owner, retroceded the castle and its outbuildings to the association. It then ensured its preservation, (listed as a historic building in 1993), restoration and organized events. Located in the municipality of Saint-André-sur-Sèvre, in the county of Deux-Sèvres, since 2003, the castle has belonged to the Joint Association (syndicat mixte) of Château de Saint-Mesmin.
https://www.chateau-saintmesmin.com

Château de Saint-Mesmin

The Château of Ardelay some 3 kilometers south of Les Herbiers is the smallest castle with a moat in the Vendée. It was bought by the local authority in 1984 in a ruined state covered in ivy, but thanks to the renovation in 1988 it has regained its pride. The Large 15th century square tower with red tiles, the walled courtyard and a smattering of other buildings are all that is left of original castle, although its remnants still dominate the village of Ardelay.
The wooden drawbridge, which has been restored to its former glory, crosses the water filled moat and gives access to a courtyard which is bordered by the main building dating from the 16th and 17th century this and the tower both have military fortifications. Within the huge rooms there are fine examples of granite fireplaces and it is possible to see the timbers that support the steep pitched roof which are exposed on the upper floors. 
So do not be afraid! ... Dare to cross the drawbridge and its firing chamber ... and just admire the stunning vestiges and be thankful that it escaped the Revolution and the Wars of Vendée.
Exhibitions are regularly staged here.
http://www.vendee-guide.co.uk/chateau-d%27ardelay.htm

Château d'Ardelay

The charming unspoiled village of Bazoges-en-Pareds is situated in the Bas Bocage region of the Vendée approximately 12 km south-east of Chantonnay.
On approaching this tranquil village from almost any direction, one can’t help but be impressed by the 14th century Medieval Donjon (Keep) which lies at its heart surroundedby a moat. It was constructed during the Hundred Years War around 1380. This huge tower of honey coloured stone with its little pointed watchtower at one corner is all that remains of Bazoges medieval garden viewed from top of donjonthe 14th century chateau which must once have stood on the site.
Although the five floors of the interior of the donjon have been fully restored and sparsely furnished with armour, oak chests, four poster beds and tapestries, the main reason for visiting here must be the fantastic panoramic view of the Vendée countryside which can be enjoyed from all four sides of the watch or sentry-path which runs round the top of the tower. In the summer evenings, the donjon is often beautifully illuminated.
From the ramparts of the donjon, there is also a superb view of the medieval garden which lies below across the courtyard and which can also be visited being included in the ticket price. This garden was created by a former mayor in 1994 and therein you will find aromatic plants, herbs, medicinal plants, fruits and vegetables growing in wattle Medieval Garden at Bazoges-en-Pareds Vendéeedged beds – all of which would have been grown in medieval times. These are ‘presided over’ by a lovely old 16th century circular dovecote (fuie). The medieval garden is accessible for wheelchairs and is a treat for the senses with its wonderful and memorable fragrances.
Another feature across the courtyard from the donjon is the small museum which is known as the ‘Musee D’arts et Traditions Populaires’ . This miscellany of objects associated with Vendée country life is set out in a barn and consists of farm machinery and an assortment of traps suitable for catching everything from mice to men!
https://www.poitou-charentes-vendee.com/the-vendee/must-see-attractions/bazoges-en-pareds/

Donjon de Bazoges-en-Pareds

The Tour Mélusine is the keep of a former castle in the commune of Vouvant in the département of Vendée in France.
History
This keep and watchtower, probably built at the end of the 12th century or the beginning of the 13th century (very often dated 1242), is the only vestige of the ancient castle of the Lords of Lusignan built in the present location of the "Place du Bail". This castle was separated from the fortified town of Vouvant by a moat. A chapel, long gone, was leaning against the tower.
Like all of the Lusignan's castles, legend holds that it was built in a single night by the fairy Melusine "de trois dornées de pierres et d'une goulée d'Ève" ("from three apronfuls of stones and a mouthful of water").
This tower, 45 m high from the ditch and with its cylindrical shape, is original from that time. Indeed, the majority of the castles of this region and of this time are of the "Niortais" style (a square tower with round towers at each corner).
The keep has a square base, which indicates the height of the curtain wall that surrounded the courtyard of the castle, which is today the Place du Bail ("bail" meaning "fortified enclosure").
The tower has been protected as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture since 1927.
Architecture
The Tour Mélusine consists of a total of five levels:
The ground floor of the tower was used as a cellar for storing food supplies. It is not accessible to the public.
The second level was originally accessible by a mobile ladder, now replaced by a stone staircase.
The third and fourth levels are accessible by a metal staircase (previously made of stone) and each has a vaulted dome. The third level allowed access to the wall walk.
The fifth and final level corresponds to the terrace at the top, hence a view of the fortified city, the forest of Mervent-Vouvant and the surroundings is impressive.