Château du Coudray-Salbart, Medieval castle in Échiré, France.
This castle sits quietly near the Sèvre Niortaise river, with tall towers and thick stone walls that have stood for centuries, creating a feeling like you've stepped into a storybook world full of knights and old legends.
Built in the 1200s during a time of conflict between England and France, this fortress served as a strategic defense point and has survived remarkably well, making it one of the best preserved medieval castles in Europe today.
The castle hosts medieval festivals every summer where families gather to watch demonstrations of sword fighting, blacksmithing, and jousting, bringing the past to life in a fun and accessible way for visitors of all ages.
You can reach the castle by heading to Échiré and following Chemin de Salbart, where guided tours are available to help you explore the fourteen rooms, six towers, and hidden corridors that make this place so interesting to visit.
Inside the thick walls, there's a rare defense corridor called a gaine that allowed defenders to move unseen, a feature almost unique in Europe, and it adds a real sense of adventure when you walk through it today.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
The historical monuments and natural sites of Niort and its surroundings include a medieval keep, traditional marketplaces, and the Marais Poitevin. The city features 12th-century fortifications, Gothic churches, and museums housed in historical buildings. The Marais Poitevin offers 112,000 hectares...
Château du Coudray-Salbart
25 m
Château de Mursay
4.8 km
Château de Cherveux
5.5 km
Château de La Taillée
1.8 km
Église Sainte-Pezenne de Niort
7.3 km
Château du Gazeau
2.7 km
Église Notre-Dame d'Échiré
1.9 km
Église Saint-Pierre de Chauray
6.5 km
Église Saint-Maixent de Souché
9 km
Église Notre-Dame, Champdeniers
8.7 km
Église Sainte-Eugénie de Sainte-Ouenne
4.5 km
Allée Basse du Jardin des Plantes
8.8 km
Église de Saint-Rémy
8.7 km
Église Saint-Médard-de-Germond de Germond-Rouvre
5.4 km
Église de Saint-Gelais
3.8 km
Église Saint-Christophe de Saint-Christophe-sur-Roc
7.5 km
Villa d'Agescy
9.2 km
Église Saint-Mathias de Saint-Maxire
4 km
Église Saint-Pierre de Cherveux
5.5 km
Église Sainte-Madeleine de Sciecq
5.1 km
Église de Faye-sur-Ardin
7.7 km
Croix hosannière de Saint-Christophe-sur-Roc
7.4 km
Temple protestant de Chauray
6.5 km
Temple protestant de Saint-Gelais
3.8 km
Caserne Du Guesclin
9.1 km
Château de Saint-Gelais
3.7 km
Château d'Oriou
3.7 km
Parc du Pré Leroy
9.1 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes