The castle of Tiffauges located in Vendée Bocage, is one of the strategic sites of the Marches de Bretagne. At the junction of Poitou, Anjou and Brittany, the fortress is the largest medieval site in the West.
Come and discover this castle, nicknamed the Bluebeard's Castle, very close to Puy du Fou® and the famous Cinéscénie! A castle with many animations for the whole family. An unmissable visit during your tourist stay in Vendée Bocage!
The Château de Tiffauges (Bluebeard) in Vendée Bocage
The history of the Château de Gilles de Rais is closely linked to the history of France.
Gilles de Rais was the owner under Charles VII. This sulphurous character would even have inspired Charles Perrault for his Bluebeard tale!
Firmly clinging to its granite spur, at the confluence of the Sevre Nantes and Crûme, the thick walls and the 18 towers protect the fortress from enemy attacks. Within the enclosure of the castle built in the XNUMXth century, the weapons of war are ready for battle, the jutes follow one another, the festivities await you.
A medieval fortress
A century later, Guy de Thouars, Lord of Tiffauges pledges allegiance to the King of France, turning away definitively from the Plantagenêt family, supported by the English.
In 1422, Catherine de Thouars, the heiress, married Gilles de Rais known as Bluebeard, then Lord of the Marches of Brittany and Hero of the Hundred Years War alongside Joan of Arc. They made many architectural changes to the fortress: gatehouse, dungeon...
From the Wars of Religion to the present day
In 1569, during the Wars of Religion, the castle, then Protestant, was set on fire by a Catholic company.
The Château de Tiffauges was purchased by the General Council in 2002 and is highlighted by heritage conservation campaigns and events.
The Château de Tiffauges: a lively castle in Vendée
½ day visit with shows for unforgettable family moments
Experience a day of shows and entertainment for the whole family. Historical shows combining art of war in the Middle Ages and chivalry.
- Un immersive 3D cinema : the castle is reborn before your eyes! From the chapel of the first monks to the construction of the keep, from the medieval castle to the palace, follow the construction of the fortress, in the footsteps of Gilles de Rais…
- Demonstrations of war machine shots
- Chivalry shows
- THEstory of Gilles de Rais
- Motion Art for families: Gauvin the knight's chest, adventure notebook, old games...
- Personalized guided tours
War Machines Conservatory
In 1992, the Château de Tiffauges was the first medieval site in the world to present a conservatory of war machines. About fifteen pieces have been reconstructed and are presented during the shows.
Several types of war machines:
- of attack like the trebuchet, the belfry...
- of construction
- gunpowder artillery pieces
- defensive like tinkering
These demonstrations punctuate your visit to the castle.
Shows
Throughout the tourist season, actors and professionals take the stage to help you discover the astonishing history of the Château de Tiffauges.
In times of siege
In the year of grace 1373, in the midst of the Hundred Years War, Maester Jehan, an eminent engineer in siege engines, took refuge in Tiffauges after his village was burned down by the English. Collected within the training camp, he puts his mastery at the service of his hosts and will be brought to meet the Constable of France Bertrand du Guesclin who, in full reconquest of Poitou, stops at the Castle to obtain help in order to improve the performance of its siege engines. But an English detachment is also on the way, coveting his precious knowledge. Medieval artillery fire, fights and jousting will be part of this medieval fiction inspired by real events.
- From April 1 to September 14, 2025
- Limited places – covered grandstand with 250 seats
- Variable hours according to the opening periods
The Gold of the Earth (NEW 2025)
Summer 1943: Archaeologist Christiane le Ray arranges a clandestine meeting with novelist Georges Simenon. They are scheduled to meet at the Château de Tiffauges, near the ruined chapel. However, at the very spot of their meeting, another archaeologist is already conducting excavations. What is he looking for? And what does Christiane want? You'll find out when you discover “The Gold of the Earth”!
- Every day from July 5 to August 24 2025
- Limited seating – Uncovered stand with 500 seats
The nights of Tiffauges
Storytelling night walks: Once upon a time, Bluebeard
Guided by a storyteller, discover during a wandering, inside and outside the Château de Tiffauges specially highlighted, the significant scenes from the tale of Bluebeard. A highlighted architectural elements and artistic interventions (musicians, dancers, fights, etc.) will punctuate your unusual evening walk.
The show lasts approximately 1h30. This route is not suitable for people with reduced mobility. No pets allowed.
- Wednesday July 23 2024 (21:30 p.m., 22:00 p.m. and 22:30 p.m.)
- Wednesday July 30 (21h20, 21h50, 22h20)
- Wednesday 6 August (21:10 p.m., 21:40 p.m. and 22:10 p.m.)
- Wednesday 13 August (21:00 p.m., 21:30 p.m. and 22:00 p.m.)
- Wednesday 20 August 2025 (20:50 p.m., 21:20 p.m. and 21:50 p.m.)
Price Full price: €10. Reduced price: €6 to €8. Free for children under 12 (reservation required by phone at 02 28 85 85 70).
The Medieval of Tiffauges
Hiking idea near the Château de Tiffauges
Bluebeard… The legend
Prestigious man, Gilles de Rais fought the English with Joan of Arc, gradually switching to alchemist rites.
From light to shadow
Gilles de Rais, Lord of the Château de Tiffauges in the 1440th century, is eerily known as Bluebeard for his alchemist experiments and his infanticidal crimes which earned him a resounding trial and the stake in XNUMX.
From reality to legend
The oral tradition and the mystery around the character lead Charles Perrault, writer, storyteller of the 1697th century, to write in XNUMX his famous tale 'Bluebeard'. The characters have in common transgression and crime perpetrated in secret apartments and underground passages. Bluebeard becomes an ogre who eats children.
From the 1885th century, the legend appears on postcards of the castle, on publications and architect's statements from XNUMX. Thus was born the legend...
(Ref: Guide to the Château de Tiffauges – Vendée Departmental Council)
| Pricing | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|
| Individual rate adult |
10 € | 12 € |
| Individual rate reduced |
8 € | 10 € |
| Family formula |
30 € | 36 € |
| Individual rate child |
8 € | 10 € |
Webcam of the Château de Tiffauges
Want to see the live weather at the Castle? Discover the Tiffauges Castle webcam !
The lively castles of the bocage in Vendée
Passionate about heritage? In the heart of the bocage, in Vendée, discover the castles offering many activities for young and old.
