Clan Rising
Château de Clisson today

France · Restored

Château de Clisson

The Château de Clisson is a medieval fortress in Clisson, Loire-Atlantique, France, standing on a rocky outcrop on the right bank of the Sèvre Nantaise. Built mainly from the 13th century and enlarged in the 15th century, it formed an irregular polygon of curtain walls and towers with a massive quadrangular keep and outer enceintes. The site was restored in the 19th–20th centuries and is a protected monument historique.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1474

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1474

What Château de Clisson looked like in its prime.

Set on a rocky outcrop above the Sèvre Nantaise, the castle reads as an irregular polygon of high curtain walls pierced by narrow windows and gun-ports, flanked by round and rectangular towers. A massive quadrangular keep incorporates the gatehouse, while an extended western rectangular enceinte runs nearly 100 m with artillery towers. Walls are of roughly dressed grey stone; the roofline is dominated by battlemented parapets and crenellated walkways. At prime the fabric is complete and defensible.

Its story

The story of Château de Clisson.

The Château de Clisson stands on a rocky outcrop on the right bank of the Sèvre Nantaise, at a crossroads for Anjou and Poitou that made it one of the great fortified places on the frontiers of the then-independent Duchy of Brittany. The first Lords of Clisson occupied the site from the 11th century, and Clisson became the seat of a powerful châtellenie covering 23 parishes.

Built mainly from the 13th century and enlarged in the 15th, the castle forms an irregular polygon of curtain walls and towers with a massive quadrangular keep and outer enceintes. After 1420 it became the property of the Duke of Brittany and was one of the favourite residences of Duke Francis II, who was remarried there to Marguerite de Foix in 1474; until the 17th century it was the residence of the Avaugour family, descendants of François Ier d'Avaugour, illegitimate son of François II.

In 1807 the estate was bought by the sculptor François-Frédéric Lemot with the goal of conservation, and in 1962 the family sold the castle to the Conseil général of the Loire-Atlantique, which carried out important restoration works with the assistance of the French Ministry of Culture. It is protected as a monument historique.

Step inside

8 places to explore in 1474.

The record describes 8 distinct spots at Château de Clisson, including 1 interior: interior of the quadrangular keep. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach across the river bridgeRiverside foot of the rockBarbican and gatehouseQuadrangular keep (exterior)Curtain wall with round towersWestern rectangular enceinteBattlements and chemin de rondeInterior of the quadrangular keep

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Whose castle

Clans who held Château de Clisson.

The families that held Château de Clisson for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Clisson

    The first Lords of Clisson occupied the site from the 11th century; seat of a châtellenie covering 23 parishes.

  • Avaugour

    Residence of the Avaugour family, descendants of François Ier d'Avaugour, illegitimate son of Duke Francis II, until the 17th century.

  • Lemot

    Bought in 1807 by the sculptor François-Frédéric Lemot for conservation; the family sold the castle to the Loire-Atlantique in 1962.

Questions about Château de Clisson

What is the history of Château de Clisson?

Château de Clisson began as a frontier fortress in the 11th century, protecting the marches of the Duchy of Brittany at the crossroads of Anjou and Poitou. Most of the present castle was built in the 13th century and enlarged in the 15th. It later became a ducal residence, was burned in 1793 and restored after 1962.

What is inside Château de Clisson?

Inside Château de Clisson, the surviving remains include parts of the seigneurial hall, apartments and kitchens. The kitchens contain a monumental fireplace, while the chapel Sainte-Barbe, above them, retains a curved window and two granite stoups. A chamber and a lavatory were also built into the thickness of the enclosure wall.

Why was Château de Clisson built, and what was it used for?

Château de Clisson was built to defend a strategically important frontier of the Duchy of Brittany. Its position at the crossroads of Anjou and Poitou made it a major fortified place, while its later expansions strengthened artillery defence. It also served as a residence for the Lords of Clisson, the Dukes of Brittany and the Avaugour family.

Where is Château de Clisson?

Château de Clisson stands in the commune of Clisson, in the Loire-Atlantique département, on the right bank of the Sèvre Nantaise. It occupies a rocky outcrop above the river, at a historic crossroads between Anjou and Poitou. The castle is in France.

When was Château de Clisson built?

Château de Clisson was built mainly in the 13th century, with further enlargement in the 15th century. The oldest parts of the present castle date from the beginning of the 13th century, before 1217. Its first raising is not recorded, although the first Lords of Clisson occupied the site from the 11th century.

Was Château de Clisson ever attacked or besieged?

Château de Clisson was besieged in 1420 by Richard d’Étampes, who had to attack the castle and town after taking possession of it. The town surrendered shortly before 5 October 1420. In 1588 Henri de Navarre threatened to attack but abandoned the plan, fearing a long siege.

Which family or clan held Château de Clisson?

Château de Clisson was held first by the Lords of Clisson, who occupied the site from the 11th century. Until the 17th century it was the residence of the Avaugour family, descendants of François Ier d’Avaugour. François-Frédéric Lemot bought the estate in 1807 for conservation, and his family sold it in 1962.

What did Château de Clisson look like in its prime?

At its prime, Château de Clisson formed an irregular polygon of high grey-stone curtain walls, round and rectangular towers, and narrow windows and gun-ports. A massive quadrangular keep incorporated the gatehouse, while the western enceinte extended nearly 100 metres with artillery towers. Battlemented parapets and crenellated walkways dominated the defensive silhouette.

Is Château de Clisson still standing, or is it a ruin?

Château de Clisson is still standing, but it is partly ruined and restored rather than preserved intact. It was burned in 1793 and remained in ruins for a long period. Important restoration works followed the 1962 sale, with further restoration campaigns carried out from 1974 to 1975, 1986 to 1989 and 1991 to 1993.

Can you visit Château de Clisson?

Château de Clisson can be visited by the public. It is open to tourists and provides explanatory texts and videos about the history of Clisson and the castle’s architecture. Cultural events and performances are also organised there.

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