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 in family. An unmissable visit during your tourist stay in Vendée Bocage!
The Castle of Gilles de Rais (Bluebeard) in Vendée Bocage
The history of the Château de Tiffauges 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.
- An 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...
- War Machine Firing Demonstrations
- Chivalry shows
- The story of Gilles de Rais
- Entertainment for families: the chest of the knight Gauvin, adventure book, old games...
- 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 10, 2023
- Limited places – covered grandstand with 250 seats
- Variable hours according to the opening periods
The lost treasure of the Château de Tiffauges – Tale for children
Let yourself be told the fascinating story of the builders of the fortress of Tiffauges! In 1626, the castle of Tiffauges was dismantled stone by stone on the orders of Richelieu... Two children having fun while the stones of the building were removed one by one, found a pendant that would take them back through the corridors of time. and launch them in search of a fabulous treasure.
- Show written by Jacques RAVELEAU DUPARC
- Every day from July 8 to August 27, 2023
- Duration: 20 minutes (times indicated on the summer visit program)
- Limited places – uncovered grandstand with 100 seats
The buried secrets of the Château de Tiffauges
Attend the improbable meeting of the characters who have marked the history of the castle and discover, over the course of their turbulent controversies and their confidences, that the castle has not yet revealed all its secrets!
- Every day from July 8 to August 27, 2023
- Duration: 15 minutes (times indicated on the summer visit program)
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)
| Prices | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|
| Individual rate adult |
8 € | 9 € |
| Individual rate reduced |
6 € | 7 € |
| Individual rate child |
4 € | 5 € |
| Family formula |
24 € | 28 € |
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.
