At the edge of the Vendée region, between Poitou and Brittany, in the upper Vendée Bocage area, set off to conquer the Château de Tiffauges, also known as "Bluebeard's Castle". The castle's remains are one of the most visited sites in Vendée, with almost 100,000 visitors a year. Not to be missed during your holiday in Vendée.
La plus grande forteresse médiévale de l'Ouest
Tiffauge Castle was built in the 12th century on a hillock at the confluence of two rivers, the Sèvre Nantaise and the Crûme. It is one of the biggest medieval sites in Vendée, just 30 km from your holiday residence near Puy du Fou. Today, a visit to the fortress gives visitors a total immersion in the medieval history of Vendée, from the rampart walk to the castle keep, via the towers and the chapel.
A fun visit to the castle
Experience the life of a knight in the biggest fortress in Vendée and enjoy a wide range of special events and shows all through the afternoon at the castle. The programme includes guided tours of the castle, costumed visits for children, a 3D film, a medieval camp with demonstrations of archery and traditional games, historic reenactments around the art of war in the Middle Ages and medieval tournaments. Don't miss the evening show that lights up the castle ruins every Wednesday evening in July and August. A visit to Tiffauges Castle is also the chance to find out more about the legend of Bluebeard, the nickname given to Gilles de Rais, the castle's most famous resident.
Gilles de Rais, the "Bloodletter of Tiffauges"
One of Joan of Arc's companion-in-arms and a hero of the Hundred Years' War, Gilles de Rais is also notorious for his many crimes. He is thought to have inspired the storyteller Charles Perrault in creating the character of Bluebeard. In 1420, Gilles de Rais became the owner of Tiffauges Castle and engaged in all kinds of occult practices and black magic there.
A visit to the siege engines conservatory
Unique in Europe! Tiffauges Castle is also the home to the medieval siege engines conservatory. Since 1992, Vendée Castle has displayed an impressive collection of recreated medieval siege engines. They can regularly be seen in action during demonstrations at the castle. The trebuchet, mangonel, ballista and catapults will introduce you to the art of warfare in the Middle Ages. So you can see, when you rent your holiday house or flat at our residence Olydea les Epesses, you will travel back in time and experience an incredible medieval adventure!
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