The Château des Essarts in Vendée offers more than 2000 years of history: it has one of the most important civil and military heritages in Vendée: from the Roman transit camp built, to the Renaissance Logis, via the feudal motte then a landscaped park…
The “Comédie des Rêves” brings the castle to life in summer to bring its 2000 years of history to life through family adventures and events: late nights, storytelling walks, etc.
A lively castle in Vendée, near Puy du Fou
The Comédie des Rêves animates the Château des Essarts during the summer period and offers several visit options:
Nature Trail
- The "Squirrel course" with 2 tramponets: a giant trampoline stretched between the trees at a height of 5 meters for family fun. Continuously.
- The educational trail “Le Refuge des Oiseaux”: a dedicated nature area with nesting boxes…


“Club of the Intrepid” Adventure Course
- « In the footsteps of Bevan », enter a reconstituted Roman camp with different tests to become a good legionnaire. From 3 years. Duration: 30 minutes. Activity accessible in low and high season.
- « The Treasure of the Guillerys » : Go back to the 15th century for a treasure hunt to meet these men who made the Vendée bocage tremble. Be attentive and perhaps you will find their treasure? Duration: XNUMX minutes. Activity accessible in low and high season.
- Games of yesteryear in the raised park of the castle, games of forgotten skills, at your disposal to prolong the adventure.

History course
- Guided tours, from the Gallo-Roman era to the present day, passing through the XNUMXth century, the Renaissance and the XNUMXth century: the guide tells you about the highlights of this site.
Many shows for young and old
- Meeting with Diria : Follow Diria to discover characters that History has not remembered. Duration: 20 minutes. Every day from July 15 to August 25. Entertainment for all audiences.
- Spectacle " The Renaissance Chronicles »: discover the secrets of Guillemette. This woman of character will surprise you with her outspokenness and her comical anecdotes, and will reveal to you a good number of traditions and know-how that were common in this period of the 16th century. Animation for all audiences, played several times a day. Duration: sketches of 15 to 20 minutes.
- Spectacle " The Fairy Gates ". Eléa, the mischievous elf, has just lost her wings! To find them, she will have to accomplish a mission, ordered by the magic grimoire, in the company of the children... Over different universes, to meet legendary characters, open your eyes and ears wide... Show for all audiences. Show played every opening day from July 15 to August 25, 2024. Duration: 35 minutes.
- New in 2023: show “ Gossip and Meals at 17:15 p.m. each day of opening from July 15 to August 25, 2024. Discover a participative show where the public is transported to the 19th century. Duration: 40 minutes.

The Castle of Essarts
The historical visit
The Château des Essarts is a visit that takes you from the first centuries to the present day. The history of the castle begins at the time of the Romans, with the motte, retracing the history of the “CASTRUM”, a wooden tower-castle. It continues with the discovery of the Romanesque door, vestige of the old Essarts church, the ruins of the Renaissance castle, the fortified enclosure and its towers… The visit ends with the “Sarrazine” tower, the first stately home.

Botanical visit
A walk in the 25 hectares of the park created by the Bühler brothers, famous landscape architects of the 1855th century and carried out between 1859 and 150. Enjoy the bald cypresses, said to be the most beautiful trees in Vendée, or the cedars, over XNUMX years! Stroll through the alleys of lime trees, as far as the Romanesque gate, along the canal and up the alley of chestnut trees, all along the meadow.
Rates | Min. | Max. |
---|---|---|
Individual rate adult |
10 € | 14 € |
Individual rate child |
8 € | 12 € |