Château de Ranton

Château de Ranton is a medieval fortress featuring an octagonal layout with semicircular towers positioned at each corner. The structure is encircled by a dry moat built upon limestone foundations, creating a distinctive defensive design.

Guillaume de Gourmont constructed this fortress between 1340 and 1345 as part of the regional defense strategy against English forces during the Hundred Years War. Renaissance-era modifications in the 16th century transformed its medieval appearance with new architectural elements.

During the French Wars of Religion, this castle served as a refuge for Protestant families seeking safety. The building's role as a sanctuary during religious conflict shaped its place in local memory.

The castle is accessible by car via the D759 road that runs between Loudun and Thouars in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Visitors traveling from Paris should plan for approximately three and a half hours of driving time.

Merovingian columns lie beneath the castle's foundations, revealing that this location had been a fortified site for over a thousand years. These archaeological remains demonstrate an unexpectedly long timeline of human settlement and defensive construction at this spot.

GPS coordinates: 47.00056,-0.02917

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:21