Château de la Citardière, Protected historical castle in Mervent, France

Château de la Citardière is a castle in Mervent, Vendée, built as a square island surrounded by wide moats. Its south facade has three pavilions, the central one containing the main entrance, a Doric portal with a triangular pediment and two slots for a drawbridge. The entrance châtelet, with its grey and beige stone and reddish-brown tiled roof, opens onto a paved passage leading to a rectangular courtyard.

The castle developed as a fortified structure and held strategic importance during 16th century religious conflicts. It served as a stronghold for Protestant troops during this period and witnessed confrontations between Huguenot and Catholic forces.

The name Citardière appears in 1398 records as "Bâtardière" or "Radegoulière"; the road to the castle is named after Henri de la Roche-Jousseaume, called "Le Chevalier à la plume rouge", who held it in 1557. The entrance portal still shows two slots cut for a drawbridge.

The property is today privately owned and functions as a venue for receptions and celebrations. Visitors should verify in advance when tours are possible and which areas are open to the public.

The entrance châtelet still shows two vertical grooves cut for a drawbridge, and its gargoyles are carved in the shape of cannons. In the corner pavilions, the slots of the portcullis and the openings of trap floors above a water pit survive. The south facade is marked by three pavilions, the central one holding the main entrance.