Talmont castle
A thousand-year-old site with a turbulent past
Just 10km from the 4-star La Grand’Metairie campsite in Vendée, in the center of Talmont Saint Hilaire, don’t miss a visit to this remarkable chateau. Born as a fortress in the 11th century, the site became a true château in the early 13th century, then underwent remodeling in the 15th and 16th centuries. The stronghold was dismantled in the 17th century on the orders of Louis XIII to protect the region from capture by the English. Strategically placed on the estuary of the Payré and Sauvagère rivers, Talmont Saint-Hilaire castle has long taken advantage of the tides to protect itself from invaders. The dynamism of Talmont’s port enabled rapid urban development around the stronghold. Owned by powerful lordly and princely families, Talmont castle is also marked by the figure of Richard the Lionheart, prestigious heir to the Duchy of Aquitaine. The château is open all year round for groups. It is open to individuals every day without interruption from the beginning of April to the end of August, closes for lunch in September and October, then opens in the afternoons from Monday to Friday at the end of October. A single visit to the château lasts 1h30. However, there are a number of activities on offer to enable visitors to enjoy the site for half a day or a full day. Depending on the season and the presence or absence of events and shows, admission prices range from 5 to 14 euros for adults and from 2.50 to 9.00 euros for children.
Events not to be missed
In summer, numerous events, games and night-time shows bring the Château de Talmont site to life. Events are organized all year round: school vacations are the perfect opportunity to try your hand at crossbow shooting, try your hand at an escape game, discover the castle during a treasure hunt or enjoy original guided tours. In summer, the pace quickens at the château, with falconry and chivalry shows, medieval workshops and historical re-enactments. From mid-July to the end of August, Talmont Castle hosts a large-scale night-time show retracing the saga of Richard the Lionheart. The show starts at 10 p.m. in July and at 9:30 p.m. in August, on Tuesday evenings. Tickets cost 19 euros per adult and 14 euros per child aged 5 to 12. Attractive packages including a day at the château followed by the show are also available near our Talmont-Saint-Hilaire campsite.
