Château d’Angles-sur-l’Anglin

The Château d’Angles-sur-l’Anglin is a ruined castle in the commune of Angles-sur-l’Anglin in the Vienne département of France. It dates originally from the 12th century, with significant alterations and additions in the 15th century.

Château d’Angles-sur-l’Anglin history

A motte was here before the present castle. The earliest records date from 1025. The keep and vault were constructed in the 12th century. In the 15th century, the keep was

altered for bishop Hugues de Combarel who also built the new castle. Guillaume de Charpagne, his successor, continued the work.

Standing on its rocky outcrop 48 meters overhanging the Anglin, the feudal castle of Angles sur l’Anglin was a strategic point of defense at the crossroads of the regions of Poitou, Berry and Touraine, the castle thus built is cited from 1025.

Around 1100, Hugues VI de Lusignan was appointed lord of the castle. In 1267, Guillaume de Lezay ceded his share to the Bishop of Poitiers in exchange for the land of Villefagnan. The bishop subsequently bought other parts of the chatelleny, which remained in the episcopal mense throughout the Middle Ages. The accounts indicate major works in the second half of the 15th century and at the beginning of the 16th century, to restore the fortifications after the Hundred Years War and to fit out the dwellings.

An assessment of the condition of the fortress was commissioned in 1708. The Paris parliament exempted the bishops of Poitiers from their duty of maintenance. In 1792, the ruined fortress was still confiscated and the municipality decided to use it as a stone quarry.

Abandoned at the start of the 18th century, the castle is left in ruins. It was bought in 1923 by the Société des Antiquaires de l’Ouest, and classified as a historical monument three years later. Various restoration campaigns were carried out from 1938, to consolidate both the rocky cliff and the medieval buildings.

The municipality bought the fortress for the symbolic franc in 1986 and has been working to save it since.

It has been listed since 1926 as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture.

Château d’Angles-sur-l’Anglin today

The ruin is open to the public during normal hours at a cost of 6€. A self-guided tour offers several informative kiosks along the way in both French and English.

Getting to the Château d’Angles-sur-l’Anglin

There is free parking available on site.